Blog Posts

Colonizer Mentality in CIUT and Ken Stowar owe the Reggae Community a HUGE apology

7/25/2021

Colonizer Mentality in CIUT and Ken Stowar owe the Reggae Community a HUGE apology
...for their treatment of Scabba G of the Morning Ride and Steady Vybz shows

AND A PUBLIC APOLOGY TO SCABBA G

Colonizer mentality 2021

CIUT needs to be investigated and charged with racism at the highest levels. They exude the rudest colonizer mentality which is their white privilege that our reggae community has no reprieve

Ken Stowar who holds both jobs as Station Manager and radio show host, made himself judge and jury in a situation that needed someone of integrity

Colonizer Ken does not seem to possess much of this

Enough of Ken Stowar for now

Scabba G

This is who I / we need to speak about

His impact on the reggae community has served us all very well for over twenty years, playing artists’ music, hosting community driven events, LOYAL, highly dependable as his word is his bond

We within our community are aware of these qualities in him as well has his crew... Ites up mi bredda Rookie Danger

Unscrupulous Ken, with the obvious backing and confidence of CIUT {Stowar has been there some thirty years) chose to disrespect Scabba G in his “investigation”

Who did he investigate this incident with?

I’d love to interview with those other decision makers as well {not really cause it is colonizer behavior 101 but putting it out there in case someone with authority wants to follow up properly}

Who checks the checker?

Who investigates CIUT and Ken Stowar?

The reggae community needs our shows back on air, with Scabba G at the helm and for CIUT to look at this current Station Manager and recognise that his plantation behavior isn’t going to wash with this reggae generation

I am acquiring a list of email addresses of folks I think need to be aware of this situation and that can effectively correct the blatant colonizer mentality

Yes I am very angry

As I am supposed to be when someone attacks a person that I cherish as well as by a very diverse reggae community

Some of you out there know some of these people who I speak of... The ones who should give CIUT and Ken Stowar a call and investigate him and this story

No demands

Integrity

I / we seek an independent body reviewing this case! Where do we find such people?

~

Steele - Sweet Reggae Music

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Farmer's Market On REGGAE LANE ~ Music Opinion of The Day

7/15/2021

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Come and join a vibrant energy with organic food on Reggae Lane, in the parking lot. listed, at 1530 Eglinton Ave West

Music opinion of the day

My idrin Derrick Hawthorne, a performer producer, Montreal to Toronto posted a comment about Drake, The Weekend and Justin Bieber being global stars and for the artists in the Canadian reggae scene to step up their / our respective game/s... I paraphrase

I could not have agreed more

In Jamaica, I have mentioned this before, when a performer stinks on a show and an audience member or two ask you to leave {cuum aff de stage} the stage, please do so as quickly as you can. It is widely known that bottles or stones will rain down on said performer should they tarry too long

Real story

Here in Canada, due to more stringent laws, and political correctness, many performers here do not get stoned and audiences have to endure shitty talent, FOR HOURS, at certain shows, till the headliners come on

Many of these folks complain the most about how much the music industry fights them down

Wrong people have the wrong attitudes, holding back the reggae music community

My favorite analogy is folks having a license to drive a car. It does not make everyone a good driver? We all don’t have the same rates of insurance if one is a bad or a good driver?

Being an artist does not ensure that you will be successful. Not everybody a go buss. It isn’t possible

Yes, Canada has MANY racist obstacles from the CRTC to CBC, to major record labels blocking black culture. I have witnessed this for forty-five years now

Yet what have we done for self within this time?

I’m sure some committees were started, meetings were had but to date we have never found a route to selling our music outside of Canada by ourselves. We have NEVER seen sustained success in selling our music

YES THE SYSTEM IS AGAINST US. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST US!!!!

I too have complained in the past of all of the reasons that we are blocked but as time has passed, I have taken on a far more proactive role because I am also aware of some truly talented folks that live and perform here also

Many of the good to great performers need to be showcased better than we currently do and we do need more musically educated, tenacious individuals who ovastand the work this takes to elevate self and the community

~

Music Feature:

One of the real good bands in de place is The Memberz crew. Many more videos will include Reggae Lane in their video but I believe The Memberz were the first

This tune "Kings Highway" is a driving chune speaking prophetically of the times we currently find ourselves

Reggae Lane Merch purchased online here
https://royal-tease.ca/collections/rfl

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Canadian Reggae Band Roll Call ~ Jojo Bennett ~ Tonya P

7/13/2021

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Richard Brown drumming with IBADAN at the Bamboo 2002

Once upon a time, Canada was full of reggae bands

Tatix, Sweet Sensation / Sensation Band, High Energy, Ruffins, The Memberz, The Dub Chronicles, The Fugitive Minds, The Dream Band, Iauwata Band, The Human Rights, Truth & Rights, Messenjah, 20th Century Rebels, Fujahtive, Mad Riddim, The Sattalites, Vibes Band, Warrior Love Band, House of David Gang, Foundation Steppas, Bredrin Dub, The Responsibles, Culture Shock, Irie Band, Ital Groove, Live Stock, Hit Squad, Reggae Cowboys, Bard From The Club, Selassie I Power, Super 8 Band, Blak Ayan, IBADAN, Lazo, Jason Wilson and Tabarruk, Rosco & The Rebellion, Jackie Mittoo Quartet, Jah Cutta, Willi Williams, Leroy Sibbles, The Determination, Andru Branch and Half-Way-Tree, The Cougars, Bloodfire, Joshua, Ishan People, Sun Force, Boncongonistas, Woman A Run Tings, Kirk Diamond & The Movement of Ahryel, Kidd Rasta & The Peacemakers, Natty Posse, Unique Vibes, Jah’Mila, Boomgaia Band, Mountain Edge, Hardcore Band, Exco Levi & High Priest, Le Dub Sac, Rebel Alliance, The Arsenals, LeeJahn, Freedom Fighters, Awanjah, Aggravators, Wadada, Sound Dimension, Inward, Kali & Dub Inc, Rebelstoke, MRD3, East Van All Stars, Purple Soul, Natural Flavas, Mostly Marley, Boomdaddy, Tasman Jude, Soul Survivors, Ultra Flex Crew, The Resinators, Souljah Fyah, Fulla Sound, The Skanksters, Riddim Forward, Mad Riddim, Errol Blackwood & Injah, Idlers, Iwongo Jahfire, Strugglaz, Earth Roots & Water, IBO,Eclipse Band, Bobcaygeon Marley ...

Apologies if I have missed any bands because I know that there are more as well as a debt of gratitude to all of the suggestions for I n I reggae family

Reggae bands out of Canada

When the racism of the culture blocks the reggae music to the people, the people create their own

Did you see any of them live?

Are you aware of Canada’s very rich reggae band history?

I love live reggae music!

I love listening to and dancing with others who love that live energy

I love dub!

I love dancehall!

I love when a great DJ / Selecta blazes tunes all night to 6:00 and 7:00am next morning

Yet live music is a special energy

Canada has that rich history and one that I would love to maintain

Most of the bands mentioned are a distant memory yet a few musicians are holding the fort today but are becoming a dying breed

Dinosaurs we are

So be it

Live music is still my vibe so I will keep beating the dead horse and hope we encourage or better yet inspire a next generation of players of instruments

Our history is pretty awesome... we should preserve it don’t you think?

I n I goal as a reggae souljah is to continue this love of live, even with the challenges babylon brings before us

Reggae Lane ought to be a / the conduit to reach our reggae family globally and encourage and inspire another generation of players of instruments

~

Side note, I asked about the MASSIVE blue police presence at the Farmer’s Market on Reggae Lane last week and why they thought it needed to look and feel like a SWAT raid. Someone listened... not a SINGLE blue uniform was seen there yesterday

Yes, they are still around, but in plain clothes and respectful

With Jemeni of G 98.7FM on REGGAE LANE at the weekly Farmer's Market

Blessed earthstrong to Tonya P today... Concrete Rose selection "Can't Get Enough"

A quick collage tribute to Jojo Bennett of the Sattalites, a REGGAE LANE and foremost Canadian reggae legend, on his earthstrong today

This week's restaurant feature comes out of Pickering, Ontario
Mr. Delicious Restaurant
519 Liverpool Road

This newsletter sponsored by Easy Going Towing

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CRW Newsletter July 2021 ~ Reggae Lane Grows

7/10/2021

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For Reggae merch above, purchase online: https://royal-tease.ca/collections/rfl

~

Reggae Lane pays homage, and rightly so, to Canadian reggae practitioners from a glorious reggae past yet it also pays homage to people like me, who have served the reggae community as a fan, sometimes promoter, sometimes writer and many other hats

There are many like me in Canada who live a reggae existence and Reggae Lane pays homage to all who live it

It feels special to be on Reggae Lane

It is a special place

I feel like it is a conduit to finally breaking the glass ceiling this culture has on reggae music, opening up reggae and so called urban music to a global stage

Reggae Lane allows those who live the culture to rally around this reggae expression and connect to wider market base as opposed to racism we face here in Canada

Reggae Lane is ruled by reggae

Go down to the laneway at any time, snap a pic and post it with the hash tag #reggaelane

Grow de vibez

Pics below from the weekly Farmers Market on Reggae Lane, 1530 Eglinton Avenue West

Belinda Brady pays homage to her iconic father, Carl Brady, a founding member of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires along with many of the Brady clan in this month's feature tune and video, "Family Love"

This week's restaurant feature comes out of Pickering, Ontario
Mr. Delicious Restaurant
519 Liverpool Road

This newsletter sponsored by Easy Going Towing

Last year we celebrated the earthstrong of Emperor Haile Selassie I on Reggae Lane

Since it was named in 2015, the city totally neglected the laneway, allowing it to become a public washroom for street people

I am certainly not angry at the street folks who truly have no place to go and I do hope the magic of the laneway will become a beacon to help these people, but I / we could not allow humans to defecate in front of the image of H.I.M. so we went down to the parking lot and laneway to have a quiet celebration in His name

Some believe in doing so, it brought hope and respect back to Reggae Lane

This was the desired effect

"Reggae Lane is the first roadway in the world named after Reggae Music"

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CRW Reggae Summit ~ Dillanponders release

6/19/2021

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Hosting a reggae summit in my mind was to bring the creativity of the Canadian reggae scene together, not sure of a specific path yet with the talents, skills and minds of the folks attending; the goal was to spark a fire

Gash a light

Artist collabs, producer / artist collabs, studio contacts, marketing opportunities locally and internationally, connect the veterans to the younger as well as upcoming artists, exchange of ideas and sharing of contacts somehow helping the industry to move forward

Not here in Canada though

It has never manifested itself to tangible music sales that I know of

No infrastructure

No profits

No musically fiscal growth for the Canadian reggae industry

Everyone releases their own records, does their own promotions, informing the fan base of their musical releases

It is possible one or two folks are earning from their talent/s yet as an industry {not really an industry} we are not the musical reggae force that we could be in my opinion

Some great music here

Some great talent exists here

No not all are great songs or artists yet that is par for the course. There are poor artists in all genre

We need a path to educating the buying public of the talented artists and great tunes and to produce a marketplace for sales opportunities for our reggae culture

How?

Less talkers

Most everyone you speak with has a solution or someone else to blame

I listen and smile inside because as these folks speak, I think to myself, “What makes this person an expert? What is their resume? What are they currently doing to progress reggae music?”

I ask these questions of myself

I notice that folks who “work” don’t talk much

They do not blame everyone else, or target someone for the demise of the culture

They just keep working

All of the time

Nuh bag a chat

How?

Infrastructure

Pick a spot in the culture that is lacking and work it

Marketing, promotion, effective distribution, create an area to buy music for Canadian reggae buyers, world class video production (seriously boring videos to date), building and international contact list and audience and many, many more things that might uplift the industry

Do what you love

Create from within your soul

It is the basis of our culture

A reggae summit by Canadian Reggae World is forthcoming and I do hope this time around, we are able to produce a glowing fire to uplift this culture

~

Son of Canadian Reggae World Dillanponders, a hip hop artist releases his first reggae tune, obviously influenced by dancehall stalwart, Eek A Mouse, with this gem, "Herbalist"

Ganja chune from tha Shroom Daddy

Listen and learn of the tunes from the Canadian reggae scene with Starliners Live with Mally Bless &Tonya P

This newsletter sponsored by Easy Going Towing

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Reggae For Life ~ June 2021 ~ Of Cod & Rum

6/4/2021

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215

The number of babies in a grave

We instinctively know that there are more graves

More babies

A proud Canadian legacy of "taming" the land

Genocide

And still continuing today

On going today

No more speeches and apologies are necessary at this time

The murders of red, brown and black skin, seem to be a european disease that has no cure

We see these images, love these children as we do our own, and now recognize that those in "power" have no intention of providing fresh drinking water to Natives Reservations across Canada, so their respect for Native humans is the same as it was 160 years ago when the first Residential Schools were created

No more a time for anger, name calling, protesting and yelling. We need a path away from those with a need to continue the geocide

Nope, I do not have the answer, yet I am starting a conversation to preserve human life

A path to the elevation of human spirit

~

"Of Cod and Rum"

A story A documentary feature exploring the historical and cultural links between the islands of Newfoundland and Jamaica by their trade in salted cod and rum…

scarlett@mediabusinessinstitute.com

Muhtadi

3rd June is the Muhtadi day of the drum

Starliners Live

Every Thursday & Sunday nights, 7:00pm - 9:00pm, The President Mally Bless & The First Lady Tonya P, spin two hours of Canadian reggae music

Take a listen from time to time and know the true talent/s that reside inna Canada

Follow the science

100% of the people who use this term are neither scientists, lab technicians or virologists

Neither am I

Understand how silly you look and sound to me

If you have ever used that phrase please understand that I probably will not trust much of anything you might say about much

You regurgitate the catch phrase of the day

I’m aware that you cannot hear me

I am never speaking to you really

We can communicate only to a certain point

Free thought is difficult in this time based on the levels of programming that we all face

I’m programmed too

I know it as a fact

I have less friends

I am well pleased about that

Love is easy

It moves you away from toxicity and abuse

Love is my guide

~

This newsletter sponsored by Easy Going Towing

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Love & Relationship Advice ~ 40hz Steinjah ~ Dub Chronicles ~ Dubmatix

5/8/2021

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Love and Relationship Advice

I certainly have none

None

I have loved and lost like everyone else

I have loved and gained tons as well

Love, is how you treat yourself

If you treat yourself with care and love, you inform others how you wish to be treated, even if they don’t love you

They will follow your lead and treat you with love based on your example/s

It is therefore easier to spot those who wish to dim your light with their abuse energy

We choose to go or stay in many of these relationships

Where we / I fall short, is where ego shows up

You hear angry men speak about women not measuring up and giving advice to GENERATIONS of youth they speak with. Most based in abuse behaviors

Women think of men as toxic and untrustworthy and dole out advice to the next young girl coming up, again all based in abusive behaviors

An impossible cycle to break

Relationship advice fills up blogs, magazine and news stands all over the globe doling out a bunch of words from humans who are total failures in relationships for HUGE profit

Folks who do not know love cannot teach you with word

Love is clear

I accept zero abuse

I do not believe that the “advice” we need is about how to ‘relationship’. I believe it is about each seeking the abuser within, accept its existence and be responsible for your / our behavior. If you have sentences that sound like, “that’s just how I am” or “I can’t control how you take the truth” or “you are constantly pulling my triggers” or “you are too sensitive” or any other of these responses, that is an unhealthy space

“Love” does not conquer all

Individual honor and integrity are also needed

SEINJAH ~ Jenn Stein

After years of promoting and curating events as 40hz productions, steinjah was looking for opportunities to better showcase the music she loved. Teamed up with partner Jon Spyne they soon created the 40hz sound system and immediately started touring forests and warehouses with their giant stack of speakers.

Once a proper sound was established the lure to control it was unstoppable and now steinjah can be found in the dj booth dropping bass heavy jams from reggae to hip hop and her joie de vivre attitude can be felt throughout her sets - a vibe not to be missed.

www.40hzsoundsystem.ca

for mixes:
www.soundcloud.com/steinjah
www.dubplate.fm/steinjah

affiliations: 40hz soundsystem

Tech Rider: 2 CDJ 2000nx2 linked, 1 DJM 900nx2 (or better)

~

Jenn and Jon love reggae

They love dub

They love music

They love SOUND

It is a pleasure to have shared some reggae journey with these two and their fan base, with more vibez to come

~

The Dub Chronicles - The King Has Arrived Dub

Brand new releases available on all platforms

The Dub Chronicles
Follow us on Bandcamp
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A DUBMATIX collaboration outta de UK

Rebel Producer Kaya Street is releasing his debut single, “Fire in the Street”, from the EP Dark|Light 2020 which has already gained backing from internationally renowned reggae producer Dubmatix.

Let me know if you’d like to set up an interview with Kaya Street, or if you would like more information - happy to provide anything you need. I’ve included all links below alongside the press release for easy access.

Thank you for your time, it’s really appreciated.

Private single link: https://soundcloud.com/kaya-street/fire-in-the-street/s-vGVhdFHhHci
Teaser Video: https://youtu.be/Zj63UfH83eU
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/KayaStreet

Easy Going Towing we wholeheartedly endorse as an experience that works with integrity

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Teenage Depression ~ The Dub Chronicles

5/4/2021

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Teen depression today

I have had the honor of friends reaching out and having me speak to their 14 year old boy. They believed his respect for me would somehow elevate him; and a one and one between us occurred

We were both uplifted

His elevation allowed mine to become even more enhanced

I’m fitter now because on top of a couple of pointers, I insisted he start working out. I caught a glimpse of him a few times since, and he is doing his thing. I stopped missing my workouts... lmaoooo

Little man was going through a situation wrought with the type of violence no child needs to be living with, nowhere to turn and no one to turn to, his depressive state was evident

This is only one example

Many teenagers today are facing this “crisis” of a pandemic

With everyone around them on heightened alert, raw terror and anger, no school, no sports, no gyms, our children / teenagers are being sand blasted with it all

They are not yet equipped with the living knowledge that humanity moves on to its next crisis. Or that their own 201,458th crises are still coming and what they currently lack is that knowledge

Sometimes, speak to your friend’s children or have uncle, auntie whomever, reason with a youth, whomever they feel a vibe with

Some of us will blame the government because they themselves have zero intentions of taking on the responsibility of their / our own children

We are all struggling

That’s the truth but we gotta let the youths know, we have made it through many struggles and this is another one and no matter where it ends up, we will be through this too... and another crisis is on the way

Help out our youths

The government?

Ok

This one is truly on you / me

I’m NEVER suggesting this fixes teen depression

I’m saying I have seen direct positive result based on direct contact, enough times of positive feedback, to not share such thoughts and hope others use it around millions of children... or just the one who is thinking of suicide

Help where you can

The Dub Chronicles

NEW ALBUM: Simba (Return to the Throne) - The Dub Chronicles - Simba (Return to the Throne) available on out digital outlets here

An 18 track album that features Grammy nominated Kumar Fyah and local Canadian extraordinaire Tash Lorayne on vocals. As well as Casey Burnett of Burnett Town Sound on 9 dub mixes. All tracks feature our eldest brother Ryan Rattos on guitar. This album is our first self production in which we mixed and mastered everything.

The Dub Chronicles
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Gil Scott-Heron ~ Storm Music

Through the years, I have come to know that Gil Scott-Heron’s father, a Jamaican was the first black man to play for the Glasgow

Celtic in Scotland back in the 40s or 50s

So during his jazzy, bluesy, funky, hip hop life, he had to touch a reggae tune

He called it “Storm Music”, saying there was no music like it in the whole wide world

This funk, jazz hip hop innovator

Listening to this song, you know exactly what he means

There is a reggae language and then there is an every other language

Introduce your children to Gil Scott-Heron

RFL merch ~ Purchase online delivered directly to your door
https://royal-tease.ca/collections/rfl

This entry sponsored by Easy Going Towing

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Music industry realities for Reggae music ~ Neto Yuth

5/2/2021

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Music industry realities for reggae music, Canada and globally

First and foremost, I am a fan of music

Music

Every single genre has a song or two or ten or ten thousand songs that I like

Music is a spiritually floating energy that binds, connects, releases a oneness within the souls of all who feel it

Not everyone can feel it

We must stop having those who make the rules, who do not feel it, to refrain from making decisions on the path of music to me... to you

The construct is set

Everything can be eventually weaponized against the sheeple

The “music industry” weaponized themselves with the use of profit control

{Sam Cooke, really look up his story}

We all have had to learn the hard way

Weaponized so that they maintain the most profit possible, some 99.9999125% by paying artists almost zero for MILLIONS of streams

Not an experience that we haven’t all lived and MUCH more scenarios and other experiences

I used to scream and yell like everyone and stay angry about a situation that was futile

“They” own the music

Or so they would like us to feel

It is how I once felt which is why I said it was futile

Then I thought of the art

The feel

The spirit connect

Why do you make art?

To express a spiritual conversation

Spirit cannot be controlled

Spirit creates its own space

The construct rules the game today and has ruled it from the beginning

Having gained this experience as a fan, promoter, dancer, a human, marketing director at an indie label (Alchemy Records), I, like spirit, must be flowing energy, without limit, creating a path to making positive changes in our own space

The construct still rules the game and will continue to squeeze tighter

Spirit cannot be controlled

I see a path here in Canada to create a unique vibe, bringing a reggae spirit to the people

Reggae is a natural spiritual bond

Those who feel it know it

We need a path that we create for self

Stay in my lane

Walk in the reggae lane

Our own path.... within the construct

Canada has a great reggae culture but not an industry

The “change” we seek is ours to make

Neto Yuth

In promoting this newsletter, I asked fans, artists and friends to mention an artist who they would love to share with my reggae community, as a point of interest

An artist, First Lady, Tonya P suggested Neto Yuth

Perfect

I have been watching him for a time now and felt that he and I should reason anyway

Canadian Reggae World needed to know this artist who seems to only be putting out conscious music, lyrics, vision, from what I gather when I listen to his work

We met up for a half hour conversation that turned into three hours and we still haven’t scratched the surface of more conversation

It is pleasant and a blessing to meet an artist / performer, whose lyics in his songs match the personality you are talking to

He mentioned that RasTafari found him first and then reggae music morphed within his transition

It is abundantly clear when reasoning with him

Montreal, Jamaica, Toronto is this RasTafari lion

Below is about an hour of his works that I have been listening to

Meet Neto Yuth

Dj Khaled, Buju, Capleton, Bounty, Barrington

Mascot leader says that foreigners are “hijacking” the music of Jamaica

Mascot fe gwey

Mascot speaks of the dancehall escalating violence in the country yet for me, the level of corruption the mascot and others are a part of, is truly the reason for the abuse to Jamaican citizens

This song feels strong and powerful towards blazing out the corruption

The Mascot does not speak of the positive imagery, lyrics and messages that come from this specific song

Reggae is NOT ruled by the prime minister or the government of Jamaica

It is a global entity ruled by reggae music

As Bob rightly points out, “this music will never die... it will find its own soldiers”

Mascot is not one of the righteous reggae warriors that we need

This newsletter sponsored by Easy Going Towing

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Newsletter ~ 28th April, 2021

4/28/2021

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Tonya P Concert Review

Big Show!!!

Creative, imaginative, visually conscious, audio conscious and they are our peers!!!!

Nuff exclamation marks

Mally Bless, The President, spinning tracks by Canadian artists all night... we have some music! The world heard our sounds well represented by us

No funding by those who are supposed to develop this culture equally. No grants from anyone!

Yet they pulled it off

We for we

Our worth is only defined by us so we create our own voice

Our own space

Our own media

We do NOT need these people to execute our music

Tonya P truly showed out

She has always been an artist that I would tout over the years as a special talent and she dropped it pon de people dem

I have watched the ting multiple times

Canada nah romp wid de ting

Dwayne De Rosario

Dero’s book

A man I consider to be Canada’s greatest football player

One of the sons of Caribbean parentage who ran around on the field with the other children during half time of our games, to achieving international success and accolades

From the humble beginnings of Ontario Housing, to MVP of the North American football league

A community leader dedicating his recent years to programs for inner city youth

A son of reggae music

This is a book which I am sure serves to motivate younger ones as well as adults what it means to dig down and fight to achieve... and rise to the pinnacle of the sport

dwaynederosario.com