NXNE (Toronto)

It's that time of year again, when all our local and international talent join forces for a jam-packed, fun-filled, week-long event filled with music, art, film, comedy and interactive for NXNE. As the NXNE homepage boasts, there are over 1000 bands performing, 30 films, 150 comedians, 65 NXNEi sessions with 60 artists... and only 2 days left to take advantage of it all! My favourite part about this time of year isn't the 4am last call that can found throughout local downtown bars, although it is definitely a plus, but the chance to catch some new talent mixed in with old favourites and most importantly the free concert at Dundas Square to close out the week.

Tonight you can look forward to seeing my teenaged favourite Hayden, while a 20's favourite Billy Talent closes out Saturday night, and Sunday night's headliner is Def Jam veteran Ludacris. Maybe the beef between Mr. Bridges and Drake will pick back up while he's on Drake's home turf? (I kid, I kid!)

Whoever you decide to see, make sure you get out there and take advantage of all this great talent! Or just go see T. Swift live at the Rogers Center, if you wanna surround yourself with 13 year old girls in cowboy boots! 

MuchMusic Video Awards 2013

(MuchMusic's own Phoebe Dykstra showing why Canada's Music station is just that much better)

This Sunday June 16th marks the 12th Annual MuchMusic Video Awards here in our fair city, and we can expect some craziness as they shut down Queen and John streets to make room for the red (or pink) carpet, and erect a variety of stages for some popular performers. As much as I complain about tourists while they slow down my sidewalk-speeding self, I really do appreciate anything that brings notice to not only the beauty of our city but also our country's talent. 

This year the show is being hosted by Mr. Gangnam Style himself, Psy and features such presenters as, Taylor Swift, Cody Simpson, Billy Talent, Danny Fernandes and bro Shawn Desman, Pretty Little Liars Lucy Hale and Torontonian Shay Mitchell, Brittany Snow and Glee's Naya Rivera to name a few. 

The performance include Ed Sheeran, Armin Van Buuren, Avril Lavigne, Phillip Phillips, Serena Ryder, Classified and of course Psy. But let's not forget the awards (especially since I have a couple good friends who are nominated), the categories are: 

Video of the Year Director of the Year
Cinematographer of the Year
Post Production of the Year
Pop Video of the Year Rock Video of the Year
Hip-Hop Video of the Year
MuchFACT Indie Video of the Year
Most Streamed Video of the Year International
Video of the Year - Artist International
Video of the Year - Group International
Video of the Year by a Canadian
Your Fave Video of the Year
Your Fave International Artist or Group
Your Fave Artist or Group

Fingers crossed! And I can't WAIT for the after parties!

Kanye Debuts New Yeezus Tracks at Governor's Ball NYC

Can someone explain to me why I wasn't in NYC this past weekend, especially since I've been planning a visit there for what feels like ages.. oh and it was the Governor's Ball Music Festival, with performances from Cut Copy, Guns n' Roses, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Icona Pop and Kanye West to name a few, no big deal. And on top of that Kanye opened his headlining set last night with "Black Skinhead," and premiered "I Am A God," from his sixth solo studio LP Yeezus, along with a mix of Ye classics during his 90 minute set. Clearly, I failed. Check below for four new tracks off Yeezus,

"I Am A God"

"On Site"

"New Slaves"

"Black Skinhead"

"Power"

Shout out to NormalMag for the videos spotted at 2Dopeboyz

J. Cole - Truly Yours 2 (Free EP)

With Born Sinner dropping on my birthday, June 25th, J. Cole has been sharing my pre-bday gifts with everyone, it's okay, I don't mind, I was brought up to share... Check out the follow up to February's free EP with Truly Yours 2 over at dreamvillain.net

As Promised. Another Thank You for your patience. 

Shout to Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Canei, Jake One, and Bas- Quarter Water Raised Me Volume 2 coming soon. Born Sinner coming June 25th. Game Changer. Dreamville. Much Love 

- Cole 

1. Cole Summer
2. Kenny Lofton Featuring YOUNG JEEZY
3. Chris Tucker Featuring 2 CHAINZ
4. Head Bussa
5. Cousins Featuring BAS
6. 3 Wishes

And I'm sure I'll see some of you June 25th.... I just won't remember it.

J. Cole - Cole Summer (download)

I am always excited for a new J. Cole joint, always; especially when he's sampling a former fave with Lauryn Hill's "Nothing Even Matters" (from her classic "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" album, featuring D'Angelo). Check out "Cole Summer" produced by Young Simba himself below, and look out for a treat tomorrow!

J. Cole - Cole Summer

Shout out to 2DopeBoyz!

Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines ft. Pharrell & T.I. (unrated video)

Last week I discovered this track for the first time, a whole month after it's debut on Thicke's former reality show, BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood. No, he didn't leave the show because he was insulted by Kevin Hart's songbird attempts and his "Frost Without You" spoof, he's just got more to do than be a reality show starlet. But I digress, I am OBSESSED with this song! The audio and the visuals, which YouTube removed the unrated version of the Diane Martel-directed video, for violating their Terms of Service. Oddly enough you can still find N.E.R.D's "Lapdance" video, which is much more sexually aggressive. Needless to say, I've learned something from all this, that Pharrell Williams loves tits. 

Watch the Unrated version below of the Marvin Gaye "Got to Give it Up"-inspired track, and look for Robin Thicke's sixth studio LP set for release this year.

Pound the Rock Raptors!!!

Tonight is the Raptors final home game of the season.  They will be playing against my beloved Boston Celtics, who are just coming off of cancelling their last two games due to the horrific bombings at the Boston Marathon this Monday.

The Celtics are currently have the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference.  They have clinched their spot in the playoffs but tonight may be a tough game as the Raptors are currently 6-1 in their last 7 games.  The Raptors are pounding the rock these days, some may say a little too late, but I think they are showing us what is to come next season.

My Birthday wish was to see this game tonight at the ACC, but alas no dice. Never the less I'll be cheering from my lovely couch, all decked out in my Celtics gear, since it's their regular seasons last game too. 

UPDATE : I am going to tonight's game after all.  Due to the wonderful Birthday Surprise from Aleashia Ga.  On a less joyous note the Boston Celtics will be wearing black bands on their uniforms tonight in remembrance of the victims from the bombings at the Boston Marathon. 

This awful act has hit me hard as I myself am a runner.  I have dreamed of running in the Boston Marathon for years and I hope that these horrible circumstances do not take away from the amazing event that it will be and that is has been for the past 117 years.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has been effected by this horrible attack.