Big Brother Canada Ehhhhh!

Well, for those of you living under a rock, the most talked about reality show has hit up Canada for the first time ever. That's right! Big Brother Canada made its debut a couple months ago after having auditions across the country with thousands of Canadians showing up. Of course, I decided to audition too since I am a HUGE Big Brother fan since season one of the U.S version made its debut. I even watched a few seasons of the U.K version. Sadly, I didn't make it but that's not going to stop me from auditioning again. You can watch episodes every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday on the Slice Network. If you don’t have Slice, you can always find the episodes on the official Big Brother Canada website, where you can find out more about the lucky contestants and see After Dark Episodes. I love watching Big Brother because I love studying people and watching how they interact in a new social setting. That is what I went to school for so I believe I would be great inside that house. Nevertheless, as many contestants have said, it is harder than it looks. As the first season comes to an end in May, former winner of the U.S Season 1O and second place on Season 14, coach and author Dan Gheesling will come on Big Brother Canada to mentor the remaining 5 players and stay for a sleepover. Dan Gheesling, who was known for his social skills and genius plan on Big Brother 14 hit up Toronto a month ago for a mini Big Brother tour and stopped by Ryerson University. I had the chance to talk to him and we connected on our faith and he told me not to give up and audition again. He is genuinely nice and smart. I also had the chance to finally try slop for the first time and yep, it was GROSS! Why do I want to be on Big Brother Canada, because I need the money and I want to play this social game, which I’m already great at doing naturally.

So visit bigbrothercanada.slice.ca to catch up on episodes.

Engeyum Eppothum Raja Show in Toronto

Engeyum Eppothum Raja was a concert that happened in Toronto on February 16^th, 2013 put together by Trinity Events. It was a star studded concert to celebrate the success and musical history of music composer, songwriter, singer and Maestro Ilayaraja’s hits in the Kollywood music industry. He composed over 4000 songs over his 30 plus career. A gold medalist in classical guitar, Ilayaraja is the first Asian to compose a full symphony with over 120 instruments. His sons Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja who also are in the music industry came to support their father and perform. What was bizarre was Dr. Raja did not want his fans to whistle and that is hard for his Tamil fans because we get super excited and rowdy at concerts. However, comedian Vivek stated that although Ilayaraja requested for no whistling, he would allow it.

I ran into the host of the show, poet, director and actor Parthiban who brought his daughter, award winning child actress P.S. Keerthana who acted in the critically acclaimed film 'Kannathil Muthamittal'. After that movie, Keerthana decided to focus on school. She may go back into acting after. I interviewed Parthiban who was the only actor who was keen on talking to his fans. Other Kollywood stars who came to support Ilayaraja were newlyweds actress Sneha and actor Prasanna. Everyone thought the couple would dance to an Ilayaraja hit song since she said it was Ilayaraja who encouraged the couple to be together but they just thanked him on stage and said they were big fans. Many fans said that Sneha was being a diva backstage and would not take pictures with them, including me. Another incredible singer who took the time to say hi to me while he was running back and forth backstage was hit maker and singer, Hariharan. Find out who Hariharan was excited to see in my video. Other legendary singers included; S.P Balasubrahmanyam, Karthik, Chitra, Ramya and more!

My favorite Ilayaraja song was ‘Rasathi Unna Kanatha Neram’ and he performed it! Sadly, there were many hits he did not perform because the show started 2 hours late due to road closures and bad weather conditions. Some fans were really disappointed. Nevertheless, many mega fans were just thrown back with emotions of all his songs from the past. I heard one father who told his daughter that, this is what original real music is and that she needs to really enjoy it.

Thank you Trinity Events for inviting me to the show! Click on the link to see some quick interviews and a little clip of my favorite Ilayaraja hit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_z_YtVptww&list=UU8sbqnKmIE08gqksjvBdcgQ&index=1

Turn It Up!

What's up readers?! In case you didn't know, I made a very brief cameo in the Kardinal Offishall and Karl Wolf music video for 'Turn It Up' The video was directed by Chris Strikes who I worked with before for my girl Farahri's song 'Favorite Day'. It was a super fun video shoot but my arms hurt from throwing them up so much for the final scene. Kardinal's bro Prince was in the video and so was his wing man Solitair. Click on the link to see the video and remember to TURN IT UP! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu4-aJ7gYa0

Playing Solitair

Canadian Hip Hop producer and rapper Silver Roland aka Solitair has been on the Canadian hip hop scene for many years. When you are a Canadian artist it is hard to branch out overseas and get the recognition you worked so hard to get. Nevertheless, Solitair has been working hard nonstop producing and teaming up with friends and other recognized artists such as, rapper Kardinal Offishall and r & b songstress Jully Black to encourage people all around the world to listen to their music. Solitair is constantly on the move travelling and making music. He aims to make his music different by fusing consciousness, hip hop, rock and dance, which can be heard in his songs ‘Come True’ and ‘Change The World’. 

I had a chance to sit down with him in his studio to discuss his success, friendship with Kardinal and the importance of being a role model to the youth. Even though Solitair came from a safe and privileged community, he wants to be a mentor for the youth who live in priority communities who are often disappointed by their social systems. Solitair was nice enough to visit the Regent Park Community at an event where he presented an award to youth Shebah Toussaint for her community involvement. I first met Solitair when he performed alongside Kardinal Offishall at Ryerson’s Frosh week and I was told to get up onstage and show my dance moves. Then, I ran into him at WE Day in Toronto when we talked about keeping in touch and exchanged contacts. Solitair is currently working on THE CITY Project. He is looking for a poet from the Toronto to be featured on a song for this project.

I ran into Solitair with Kardinal at the 2013 Canadian Radio Music Awards and he told me he is excited to see this interview. I hope you like it Solitair. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91xQw-_miSY&list=UU8sbqnKmIE08gqksjvBdcgQ&index=3

Inspired Voices of Youth and Nelly Furtado in Regent Park

I've worked in the Regent Park Community for a few years now and it is like my second home. In the beginning, I was afraid to enter this community from the messages I was getting from my peers and the media. However, I have met so many talented youth and people in this evolving community. Amidst the current revitalization, ongoing gun violence and deaths of young people, the youth aim to speak up using their creativity in the arts and voice their views on what their home in Regent Park means to them. Many inspirational Canadians in the media have taken time out of their schedule to visit and be motivational speakers in the Regent Park community for the youth including; reporter Dwight Drummond who came from an ‘at risk’ community himself, rapper Solitair, Degrassi actors Sam Earle and Jahmil French and recently Grammy Award and Juno Award winning super star Nelly Furtado. I was the only local community reporter who was able to squeeze in a question for Nelly, who attended a Regent Park community event and had a surprise for longtime resident and poet, Mustafa Ahmed.

Nevertheless, click on the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZurpbQ8Tyo&list=UU8sbqnKmIE08gqksjvBdcgQ&index=2 

to see what Nelly has to say about the Regent Park community and hear what a few youth in the community have to say in their own words how they are using their talents to send a message to all misconceptions and the people who stereotype and label the Regent Park Community.

Thank you Isaac Mbikay, Fatima Animer, Shebah Dominique Toussaint and Mustafa Ahmed for participating.

Lupe Fiasco at York University for a Show

  

Every year the York University Campus Life team and York Federation of Students hold a concert for students. Last year they were able to bring rapper Nas who called in sick for the original date but luckily rescheduled for the disappointed students. In 2012, for frosh week, they brought out thought provoking American rapper, Lupe Fiasco. Speaking of Nas, it was rapper Nas’ ‘It Was Written Album’ that made Lupe gain an interest in liking rap music. Lupe was not a fan of hip hop music because of the explicit language and profanity. Nevertheless, when Lupe started rapping he did lead the path that he didn’t want to go to. He became a hypocrite rapping about cocaine, guns and degrading women in his gangster influenced rap group, ‘Da Pak’ at the age of 19. He soon realized he wanted to take his passion for rap in a different direction. As noted as one of the pioneers of the conscious hip hop movement, Lupe now focused his music to be more aware of the social issues in our society and around the world. In his first album ‘Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor’, Lupe raps about terrorism, religion, war, poverty, prostitution and even parents. These are topics that will draw in diverse age groups including, youth. His aim is to educate people with his attentive lyrics in his music. Lupe also contributes charities to promote awareness. He has spread awareness with the disastrous Haiti Earthquake, donated tents to protesters for Occupy Wall Street and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa with other celebrities to spread awareness about the billions of people worldwide who sadly lack access to clean drinking water. The Grammy Award winning rapper has proven to not just fall into one genre, he loves jazz, blues and even rock music. He has numerous side projects including, ‘Japanese Cartoon'. 

The York University crowd loved Lupe Fiasco at the 2012 York Fest. He even performed my favorite song, ‘Superstar’. One of my favorite videos by Lupe Fiasco is ‘Bitch Bad’. Now, I work around a lot of young kids and notice that they watch music videos that are inappropriate. They want to be older than their age and are easily influenced by female artists who are sexually provocative in the lyrics in their music and music videos. As someone who wrote plays when he was younger, Lupe used his skills in theatre to carry out in his music videos. I really enjoyed the message he set out in the ‘Bitch Bad’ video.

When I spoke to York University Vice-President Robert Cerjanec, he told me that it was hard to get artists to come play music for the students. It takes a lot of hard work and convincing. He even told me that some Canadian artists ask for way too much money to perform. Now that is disappointing. Canadian artists should support students. President and official spokesperson for the York Federation of Students Vanessa Hunt told me that you have to balance university life and she wants to welcome students to the York University student life. Vice-President of Campus Life Jessica Thyriar, who coordinates York Federation of Students events, was super excited to have Lupe Fiasco perform at her school because she is a super fan. Well Jessica, you will be happy to know that at the 2013 Grammy Awards red carpet special, Lupe stated the he will release his 5^th studio album called, “Tetsuo & Youth.”

Thank you York University for having me at York Fest. I had a blast!

Click on this link to see a bit of Lupe Fiasco performing at York Fest 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YWtmzhIW_s&list=UU8sbqnKmIE08gqksjvBdcgQ&index=4

 

Happy Halloween Mysterion The Mind Reader

It's been a while since I stepped into the Much Music building, so I thought I'd trick or treat on Halloween, dress up as Tickle Me Elmo 2.0 Yo and check out New Music Live for the first time ever. It was a great  show where VJ Lauren Toyota dressed up as Korean Gangnam Style dance sensation PSY! I also was able to see the creepy cool tricks of Mr. Mysterion The Mind Reader. He blew us all away and even scared me by bringing out a real monkey hand and asked us to make a wish but I didn't. Mysterion said, "Be careful what you wish for because it may not come true the way you want it to." Mysterion also celebrated his birthday and told me he loves what he does. It was hilarious because he really spooked VJ Lauren Toyota. If you missed Mysterion on New Music Live visit his website to watch him in action on other appearances. Mysterion was also cool enough to do a couple of tricks after the show for Crazy Mofoz Show. Hope you had a great Birthday and Halloween Mysterion!

For bookings visit  http://www.mysterionthemindreader.com/

To see Mysterion on Crazy Mofoz Show click here-----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HQsWjgjKYo&feature=youtu.be

Boarding with Low Level Flight

Earlier this year at Canadian Music Week, I spotted winner of Canadian Idol season 1 Ryan Malcolm. As I talked to him, he told me he was in a band, called Low Level Flight. I decided to do an interview with the band. I watched a couple of their earlier videos and I noticed that some of the band members were different. Ryan told me that the band actually switched bass and lead guitar.

Their new members are lead guitarist Hugh Allen and bass guitarist Sebastiene Duhaime, who is French.

Their original bass player started a family so the commitment of touring just wasn't feasible. The rest of the band consists of Brandon Merenick, James Rooke and of course Ryan Malcolm on the leads.

If you watch the interview, you may see an extra dude in it. Well, he's not a new member of the band. He is just  a buddy from Ryan's old high school.

The band has videos out for their songs; Change For Me, Say, Turnaround, which Ryan wrote based around drug addiction and the negative effects to a younger brother as he watches the older brother. 

Their other music videos include; Cash Machine and Brooklyn Radio, which is very abstract. I asked Ryan what the concept behind Brooklyn Radio was about and he told me, "It was sort of based around a group of sexy strangers who meet up at the beach and discover something, what is up to the viewer. Some people think UFO. To me, it's like there is something at the beach that make these strangers act as they are taken over by some force and a super hot rock band playing for some reason." hahahaha The boys invited me to their music video shoot for their new single 'TSK TSK' in Mississauga. However, due to work, I sadly couldn't make it. Hopefully, I'll be at the next video shoot boys! Low Level Flight will be performing at the Drake Hotel in Toronto for Halloween. Their music isn't scary so you should go check these nice guys out!

In the meantime, check out my fun interview with Low Level Flight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht0CCXOv3Xk&list=UU8sbqnKmIE08gqksjvBdcgQ&index=1&feature=plcp

To listen to Low Level Flight's music and to catch up with the band and see when they are playing other shows, follow them on twitter @LOWLEVELFLIGHT1 and visit their website at www.lowlevelflight.com

SPOTTED: Much Music Legends

Music Legendary VJS Master T and Rick 'The Temp' Campanelli were spotted playing soccer for the charity tournament "Rock the Pitch" brought together by Athletes for Africa at Lamport Stadium in Toronto on August 11th. Master T has been involved for 3 years now in this organization that helps youth in Africa promote global citizenship and empowerment.
"By raising funds and increasing awareness, Athletes for Africa supports local programs that strengthen communities, provide education and foster skills development." Every team was surprised that both Master T who now works on his own film and video career and Rick Campanelli who is the host of ET Canada were both really good at playing soccer. Master T brought his sons to cheer for him, while Rick had to leave early to attend an event. I was able to catch an interview with the inspirational Master T, however, I forgot to press RECORD! I have no excuses other than it was raining that day. Master T's team did not win that day but it was in all good fun.  There was over $10, 000 raised. I hope to catch up with Master T next year. If you want to play next year and get involved with Rock The Pitch and/or donate, please visit their website www.athletesforafrica.com/

If you want to watch a little bit of how Master T and Rick C played click on the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFbyGwHt0kQ&feature=results_video

OH OH OH... OPRAH!

Ms. Oprah Winfrey was in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Monday, April 16 and brought her popular on-air and online series Oprah’s Lifeclass: the Tour and took the stage as teacher in one of the world’s biggest classrooms to share and discuss the principles that guide her life. It seemed like almost the entire population of women in Canada was there. She took the stage for the first-ever broadcast in Canada to connect with viewers in person and online about the lessons that guide her life. Ms.Winfrey told the audience that she had many fans from Canada who were in her audience for her famous Oprah talk show tapings and they would all ask her to bring her show to Canada. They would all ask her to bring her show to Canada. Winfrey was joined by hand-picked experts including life and business catalyst Tony Robbins, spiritualist Deepak Chopra, Bishop T.D. Jakes and inspirational author Iyanla Vanzant. All four guest experts appeared live from the Metro, which will broadcast OWN. There were 2 show tapings. I was able to get hooked up to go to the morning taping. I was late and missed Deepak Chopra and Iyanla Vanzant. I entered the show as Bishop T.D. Jakes was talking to everyone at the conference and telling them that they are not chickens.

We all need to spread our wings and soar like eagles in this world. There were many powerful messages and personal stories from guests who had had family members who they lost or suffered from illness. The speakers came together with Oprah to discuss questions and share what they are going through so that other who are watching and in the audience can listen to the advice from the panel speakers and Oprah. There were a lot of motivational lines that stood out to me including “Gratitude is a gift”. We have to be thankful of what we have and stop complaining. Another quote that stood out for me is “Live in the now”. Many people said Oprah is against God and that is why she created Stop worrying about what happened in the past or what your life will be like in the future. Oprah took time out to walk around the entire room to greet her fans. That took a long time but it was very nice of her. I was able to snap a picture of Oprah right in front of the stage as she was leaving.  

Oprah’s Lifeclass: the Tour also engaged fans online with live streaming at Oprah.com and feature a digital classroom (www.oprah.com/lifeclass) with all-new course work to accompany episode themes. Twitter fans were able to follow @OprahsLifeclass on Twitter and join the conversation using #Lifeclass and #OinTO. You can continue to send your tweets from your experience and what you learned from the show.

I'll Never Break Your Heart NICK CARTER

 Before this ridiculous boy group One Direction craze, there was and always will be a mega pandemonium for the boy band, ‘Backstreet Boys’. There was a little competition of who was the better boy band,  Backstreet Boys or N’Sync? Backstreet Boys were always better in my opinion and will always have a tight brotherhood unlike N’Sync where star Justin Timberlake made it clear that he will never join with the group... ever again. Kevin Richardson left the group in 2006 to focus on his personal life but I always knew he would be back. He joined the group again a few years ago on Oprah and for the collaboration tour with New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys, where he performed, 'I Want It That Way’ at the famous Staples Center. This summer Kevin Richardson announced that he will rejoin the BSBs on their next album because they have been through a lot together and they just have "chemistry". I have always been a Backstreet Boys fan since the beginning of their career. I even got my mom and late grandma to like them. I would tape every single TV performance they did and Backstreet Boys was the first tape I bought off of my best friend Lourdes. We both would dance and sing to their songs and perform them at events. When I saw their ‘Get Down’ music video on YTV’s show the ‘Hit List’ I had a HUGE crush on Nick Carter....don’t ask why. Fine...he was tall and had a cute smile. Everyone knew I loved Nick. Even though I liked Brian's personality. I still talk about Nick especially when he recently appeared on a 90210 episode. My friends and family were like ‘whoa, you STILL like Nick? The closest to me getting near Nick Carter was when I met his brother Aaron Carter a few years ago at The Much Music Video Awards. When I was younger I always dreamed about meeting Nick but the phase was slowly starting to wear off. However, when I suddenly heard on Virgin Radio that Nick Carter was in town my teenage dreams came back and I had to win tickets to see him! Nick Carter sprung a solo career aside from the Backstreet Boys releasing his first album, 'Now or Never'. His solo career didn’t do as great as when Justin Timberlake went solo but Nick always had the Backstreet Boys as a back up because he’s passionate about singing and performing. Even when Nick had a health scare due drug and alcohol abuse, suffered the loss of his sister due to prescription drug overdose, a public break up with Paris Hilton, where he was accused of abuse, a failed reality TV show, Nick Carter always turned to music to get him through his life obstacles. Nick is currently on tour to promote his second solo album, ‘I’m Taking Off’. When I was listening to the radio and heard a girl win, she didn’t seem excited at all. That pissed me off. The next day, when the radio station made the announcement to call I called and it rang and I got through. I had to play a game called, ‘Is He The Baby Daddy.’ I picked the right answer and won! I went crazy on the radio. The day came when I finally met Nick Carter where he first had a special listening party for his fans and performed some of his new songs and many cover songs including, the band Weezer’s song, ‘Say It Ain’t So.’  I was filming his performances when I decided to take a break from filming his next song, which was Tom Petty’s ‘Free Falling’. I was chill and sat back on a ledge to hear the performance when Nick Carter, suddenly looked at me in the middle of the song and said to me,  “Yah, I’m looking at you girl”. All of the girls turned around and looked at me and I was thinking, "WHAT? Maybe it was part of the song". I quickly googled the lyrics to the songs and no where in that songs did it say, “Yah, I’m looking at you girl”! I kept cool about it. I had a chance to give Nick the Crazy Mofoz Show card and gave him a hug. I couldn't hit on him because he is in a relationship. I later watched him perform in a space suit for a crowd of fans at The C.N.E in Toronto where he sang more songs from both his albums. It just goes to show you that you never know who you will meet in life so keep on day dreaming.

Wanna see a clip of Nick Carter performing his single, 'Just One Kiss' from his latest album 'I'm Taking Off'? Then, click the link below. Hmmmm...now if I can have just ONE kiss from Nick Carter lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1dyVzDe80g&list=UU8sbqnKmIE08gqksjvBdcgQ&index=3&feature=plcp

What Time is it Mr. Wolf?

Karl Wolf, a Canadian singer who is Lebanese and can speak English, French and Arabic is working hard to mash it up on your radio, TV and iPods. Mr. Wolf released his first solo album, ‘Face Behind the Face’ in 2006, but it was ‘Bite the Bullet’ which received much radio attention with the first single ‘Africa’ a remake of the original song by Toto. This multiple award winning r & b/pop singer, songwriter and producer Karl released his third album ‘Nightlife’ in 2009 where he paid homage to his Arabic roots by releasing the hit ‘Yalla Habibi’, which stands for ‘Let’s go My Love’. Now Karl is finally promoting his new album ‘Finally Free’ which, includes singles ‘Ghetto Love’ with T.O’s Kardinal Offishall and club banger ‘Mash it Up’ featuring Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia. I got a chance to catch up with Karl after he performed ‘Mash it Up’ with his hommie replacing Juicy J at America’s Next Top Model Live in Toronto. Karl tells me about how “life is good” for him now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7aJl2GBRcg&list=UU8sbqnKmIE08gqksjvBdcgQ&index=1&feature=plcp

Do you remember the Canadian group Sky? Well, Karl eventually wrote songs for the group and became the new lead singer for the group in 2002!