CHECK IT

http://southpawbrown.com/blog/2ndpskensington/

NEWBREEDMC - "To Play or Not to play"

I judge wisely as if nothing ever surprised me, so when I heard there was an opportunity to open for Killah Priest without having to pay out of pocket I said "Cool, I can sell 40 tickets", and I did.

I saw it as an opportunity to add something big on my resume so I didn't mind putting in the leg work, but let me be quite honest ... I believe I shouldn't have to.

Not because I'm a better artist than everyone, not because I rip every microphone I see to shreds, not even because I stand head and shoulder above pretty much every other MC in Toronto, none of that has anything to do with why I shouldn't be selling tickets to an event I am performing.

Heres why : CUZ I'M A RAPPER NOT A PROMOTER

Would you ask a dentist to cut your hair or a barber to fill your cavity. No you wouldn't and if you did that dentist would loose credibility as a dentist and the barber as a barber. Stop doing this to artist. Let us create and be artist. Promoter need to fill these places based on the sole fact the audience is going to see a good show. Artists can not be responsible for bring crowds because who that artist brings only has vested interest in the artist they came with.

If I were living in NYC - or any other self respecting city that isn't named Toronto, the Killah Priest show would be sold out before they even put my name on the bill as an opening act. But its a little different here in the Big Smoke we show support to our talent a little differntly here.

Do not take this entry out of context ! I respect I Respect Music because they put in work and make things happen. They have talented artists and a CEO who's business accumen and work ethic is incredible. The IRM Movement to me is one of the more established, successful and unique organizations within the Hip Hop community in T.O. which is why I jumped at the opportunity to work with them, but I don't agree with any form of Pay to Play because it makes the artist vulnerable. But I did it because I have to. They set it up this way because they have to. Things just work differently here.

In my opinion the artist should be sought out, not only as the main event but also as the opener. Otherwise you have a situation where there will be less talented artists performing at shows where they really have no right to be performing because they can pay to play They may suck but because they can sell 40 tickets or pay 500 bucks they're in the show.

Promoters, Hosts, Record Labels etc do your self a favour and seek out truly talented artists that deserve to be in shows based on their talent not what they are willing to do. Invest in these artist not yourselves and you will see a greater return I promise you because your shows won't suck. I am guilty of being an artist who was willing to pay to play (or willing to sell tickets in this case, cuz when they asked me to open for Freeway for like $500 bucks I said Hell No) because I needed to be in a show of this magnitude. That was my only option because I live in Skrewface Capital and we have no one who is willing to put themselves on the line so someone else can shine.

Problem Number 2 is - if the first opening act brought 25 people and they leave when the first act is done and the second act brings 35 and they leave when the second act is done and this pattern continues until the main event then how many people will be let in the venue when that time comes. Its sad. Especially when those acts aren't really good to begin with.

I am not going to say this is what happened at the Killah Priest show, but I am also not going to say this didn't happen at the Killah Priest show. All I am saying is when you rely on artist to do your promotion it can be a good thing and a bad thing. Its just a thing - a thing that needs to be scrutinized and reevaluted if we want Hip Hop to benefit everyone.

-NewBreedMC

www.newbreedmcmusic.com

THE CYPHER + Lyricist Competition feat. J Shiltz

When: Weds. May 18, 2001 - Doors at 9:30pm

Where: Augusta House - 152 Augusta Avenue

Once again, we getting it in at THE CYPHER...

For those who STILL don't know, The Cypher is open to all/any MCs to come through and grab the mic. If you show up, you will get mic time (Cypher guarantee!).

This month we are featuring artist J SHILTZ!Check him out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHW6tCcvPzU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E2zKE-b35k
http://www.cityonmyback.com/2011/02/17/new-video-j-shiltz-gimme-that-flow-directed-by-peter-hatch/
http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2010/06/j-shiltz-louder-905-to-416-ft-grimace-love-notlam-audiovideo/
http://savingsoulblog.com/2011/04/11/j-shiltz-what-do-i-do-prod-by-big-pops-crook/
http://therealfrequency.podbus.com/blog/2010/12/01/j-shiltz-f-spek-won-rishaard-its-on-prod-junia-t/

THE CYPHER LYRICIST COMPETITION:

MCs spit their best 16's, competing to win cash.
Details:
-$10 entry fee for each competitor (winner takes all)
-Each artist performs their best verses over random instrumentals
-Whichever MC's verse is judged to be the best will win!
-Competitors who want to participate must sign up at the event no later than 11pm.
- Winner also gets to defend their title (no entry fee) at the next lyricist cypher!

Current Cypher Lyricist Champion: J-Whyte

Hosted by:
MC FÜBB http://www.mcfubb.com/

Resident DJs:
DJ COMBO! http://www.deejaycombo.com/
DJ ROMEO! http://www.therealdjromeo.com/

Resident Photographer:
Slick Nick http://www.telescaphoto.com/

_________________________________________________________

THE CYPHER

OFFICIAL PROMO VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnDLuuf1dX0

For more information on THE CYPHER, check out info and join the official FB group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144109485785&v=info#

Any artist that shows up will get mic time - GUARANTEED!

Cover:
$5 before 11:30pm
Pay $20 and get a Cypher T-shirt with admission!
19+

Also accepting donations (food, clothing, school supplies, children's books, toys, money) for PEACE QUEST:
http://www.peace-quest.org/

Brought to you by:
Hip Hop Headz - http://www.theh3.com/
Peace Quest - http://www.peace-quest.org/
Flip Rock!
MC FÜBB - http://www.mcfubb.com/
Fusicology - http://www.fusicology.com/

THE CYPHER - Guru Tribute

FB EVENT PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192226134156136

Join us on April 27 at Augusta House as we pay tribute to the late great hip hop legend GURU. We'll be playing classics from Guru & Gang Starr all night!

WHERE: Augusta House - 152 Augusta Avenue

WHEN: Weds. April 27, 2010 - Doors at 9:30pm

THE CYPHER LYRICIST COMPETITION:

MCs spit their best 16's, competing to win cash.
Details:
-$10 entry fee for each competitor (winner takes all)
-Each artist performs their best verses over random instrumentals
-Whichever MC's verse is judged to be the best will win!
-Competitors who want to participate must sign up at the event no later than 11pm.
- Winner also gets to defend their title (no entry fee) at the next lyricist cypher!

Current Cypher Lyricist Champion: J-White

Hosted by:
MC FÜBB http://www.mcfubb.com/

Resident DJs:
DJ COMBO! http://www.deejaycombo.com/
DJ ROMEO! http://www.therealdjromeo.com/

Resident Photographer:
Slick Nick http://www.telescaphoto.com/

_________________________________________________________

THE CYPHER

OFFICIAL PROMO VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnDLuuf1dX0

For more information on THE CYPHER, check out info and join the official FB group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144109485785&v=info#

Any artist that shows up will get mic time - GUARANTEED!

Cover:
$5 before 11:30pm
Pay $20 and get a Cypher T-shirt with admission!
19+

Also accepting donations (food, clothing, school supplies, children's books, toys, money) for PEACE QUEST:
http://www.peace-quest.org/

Brought to you by:
Hip Hop Headz - http://www.theh3.com/
Peace Quest - http://www.peace-quest.org/
Flip Rock!
MC FÜBB - http://www.mcfubb.com/
Fusicology - http://www.fusicology.com/
Cyberkrib - http://www.thecyberkrib.com/

THE CYPHER feat. SMASH BROVAZ + Freestyle Competition

This month, we are introducing: THE CYPHER FREESTYLE COMPETITION
MCs show off their freestyle abilities, competing to win a monetary prize.
Details:
-$10 entry fee for each competitor (winner take all)
-Each artist gets a minute to freestyle over random words pulled out of a hat
-Whichever MC's freestyling is judged to be the best will win!
-Competitors who want to participate must sign up at the event no later than 11pm.
- Freestyle Champion goes on to defend their title next month for FREE.

Featured Producers: SMASH BROVAZ (Crook and Junia T)

Junia T, aka smash brova number two, can be found by the trail of sore necks and smiling faces. Wherever the crowd has been rendered powerless to a primal head nod, you’ll probably find junia, centre stage radiating with that cartoon grin as he conducts the unleashing of wave after wave of dopeness.
Since following up “the album” with his first solo offering, 2006’s“sample surgery”, junia t has been everywhere, collaborating with anyone willing, emerging as one of Toronto’s most skilled emcee/producers. All the while, he has become a regular on countless college radio shows, a sought after engineer, a staple at honour rebel’s “goodpeople party”, a host for the“good music party” by ear 2 much , and a ring leader for the burgeoning boombox saints series now running three years strong and packing rooms across the city. (see www.myspace.com/juniatof35 )

For Crook, formerly killa crook, the path forward required a detour.
after the release of the second installment of “CROOK ‘n CYPHA” (with western union deejay cypha), smash brova number one packed his bags and exiled to Australia seeking growth and knowledge amidst sand and sun. A year would pass before his return to the land of ‘saug’. With rhyme books tucked in the luggage, and a renewed hunger for the boom-bap burning in his chest, crook came home a changed man and has set about defining that new perspective while the button is set on record. (see www.myspace.com/killacrook)

Hosted by:
MC FÜBB http://www.mcfubb.com/

Resident DJs:
DJ COMBO! http://www.deejaycombo.com/
DJ ROMEO! http://www.therealdjromeo.com/

Resident Photographer:
Slick Nick http://www.telescaphoto.com/

_________________________________________________________

THE CYPHER

OFFICIAL PROMO VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnDLuuf1dX0

For more information on THE CYPHER, check out info and join the official FB group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144109485785&v=info#

Any artist that shows up will get mic time - GUARANTEED!

Cover:
$5 before 11:30pm
Pay $20 and get a Cypher T-shirt with admission!
19+

Also accepting donations (food, clothing, school supplies, children's books, toys, money) for PEACE QUEST:
http://www.peace-quest.org/

Brought to you by:
Hip Hop Headz - http://www.theh3.com/
Peace Quest - http://www.peace-quest.org/
Flip Rock!
MC FÜBB - http://www.mcfubb.com/
Fusicology - http://www.fusicology.com/
Cyberkrib - http://www.thecyberkrib.com/