SPEK WON

When asked what 2 words would describe what he was and who he wanted to be in the future Benjamin Nii Kpani Addy responded “Spektaularly Wonderful”. It’s from this self-description that this versatile Ghanaian-Canadian artist takes his name SPEK WON From.

Always a natural with music Spek Won began writing rap lyrics from the young age of 9, producing Hip-Hop music at 17 and would later study sound engineering at the Trebas Institute. Armed with the ability to mix calculated and humorous turns of phrase with intense, intelligent lyrics, it is his innate talent and his innovative style combined with his passion for music, fashion and film that sets Spek Won apart from an industry full of average rappers and Hip-Hop aficionados.

Founder of the Z*BOIZ (Zongo Boiz), a ground-breaking “Afro-Entrepreneur” group of young artists, producers, actors, dancers, and fashion designers based in the Greater Toronto Area that consists of artists Lord Quest, Erik Flowchild, and Kwabi D among others, Spek Won aims to be the architect of the new “Hip-Life” movement (An African artistry movement that developed from the fusion of the African “High Life” Afro-Funk movement of the ’70 & ‘80’s and Hip-Hop) by following the blue print set by Hip Hop greats, and turn this music genre into a full on lifestyle.

In 2009 Spek Won became a part Live T.O. an artist collective dedicated to community initiatives and social enterprise made up of local artists and Youth run companies including; Rochester aka Juice, Logikal Ethix (Stolen From Africa), Caprice Understood (SFA/RGG), DjO Nonymous, St. Lucian poet Chevy X King, producer GMF, Bead necklace designer Jahmar (RGG Beadz), and actor Poppa Grand (Trailor Park Boys) among others. In the Summer of 2009 Spek Won helped Live T.O. establish themselves as Toronto’s new Mind Blowing tour de force when they took over several stages in MTL on the Rise Up 09 mini Tour.

Recently Spek Won Released his highly acclaimed track “Hip-Life” which can be heard on Flow 93.5, 105.5 FM , 88.1 FM and 89.5FM as well as its follow-up Music Video (the video can be seen online). Using this success as fuel for the future Spek Won is currently in the middle of releasing his highly anticipated mix-album entitled “Premmo Donna” (winter 2009/Dj Priemer Instrumentals) and a Mix Album early 2010 called “MG&R with production form in house producer Lord Quest, Grammy nominated producers Tone Mason, Kwadjo Cinqo of 2 time Juno Award winning group Ghetto Concept, multi award winner producer/dj Kid Kut, world renown Dj Nana, Sound Smith, and others. He has performed at various venues from Toronto, New Jersey, Vancouver, Edmonton, to Montreal and, has opened for many international artist that range from Grammy and MTV award winner 2face Idibia, to Ghanaian music award winner Reggie Rockstone, to local Canadian hip hop icon Rochester A.K.A juice, and can be seen performing in a venue near you.

“We need to be the change we want to see happen. We are the leaders we have been waiting for “.

-Gandhi

Maritsa Blaise, mostly known as Sheba is a native of Montreal, Quebec, one of Canada’s most vibrant cities. Sheba is on a mission: to bridge the gap between the French and English speaking communities. Born of Caribbean descent parents, she had the privilege to go to school outside of Canada as a youngster. Sheba’s parents were a teacher and a musician/singer; therefore, music has always been an important element in her life. Sheba has travelled with her father until destiny took him away when Sheba was 12 years of age. Spiritually grounded, Sheba has been on a discovery of self and is all about community organizing, setting a positive example, building social change one person at a time and maintaining a positive attitude against seemingly impossible odds facing the most marginalized youth in our society. This young sister volunteered and worked on different urban projects such as having a library for the black community in Montreal.
Sheba has worked with (YAC) Young Advocacy Committee of Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec region to put up events such as week against racism in March (fighting everyday bigotry and human rights issues) and is helping with Black Focus Documentary nights at the UNIA building. Sheba has coordinated workshops and promoted events at different youth centres like J2K (Jeunesse 2000) Black Star Big brothers and sisters, MDJ CDN (Maison des Jeunes Cote-des-Neiges) in the boroughs of NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grace) and CDN (Cote-des-Neiges).Sheba met Realistic Go Getters and Stolen from Africa last year in 2009 during the Rise Up Sovereign Africans Magazine launching party and automatically became part of SFA Montreal and live TO team. Sheba is also representing Empress of Zion Canada (EOZ), a non-profit organization aimed at educating and empowering Rastafarian women, families and youths here and abroad.

Sheba is aspiring to be a community event coordinator, holistic health practitioner, musician and also a business woman. Networking is one of her strong points working with promoters, community activists, upcoming and revolutionary artists, linking Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto together “Our people have been struggling and feeling sorry for so long, now is the time to stand up. Life is a beautiful struggle and does not have to be boring, make the best of it and grab opportunities because it won’t be given to you”. Be on the look -out for Sheba because she’s going to blaze up soon!

Born in Framingham, Massachusetts, growing up in Nova Scotia, and having travelled as far as Jamaica with his music as a solo act, Dennis Wright, better known as Hellafactz, has used his lyrics as a tool to take him places a lot of emceez simply read about. “Hella” a term used mostly on the west coast meaning many, in front of all the facts he has put into his music growing up just outside the city of Halifax, is where he gets his stage name. His father, Cecil Wright, was a member of the local R&B band “Worth The Wait”, so Hellafactz was introduced to music at an early age and experienced a wide variety of sounds. Eventually, he began turning his poetry into raps in grade six with close friend, Ryan Somers, aka DJ R$ $mooth. They formed the group Illville Fam which over time has grown into a bigger movement with Hu$$les, Lamar Ashe, Shadey, G-Dolo, and additional artists from the community signing up to the team.

After travelling throughout the United States for nearly six years setting up his own independent company, “Illville Entertainment”, he began performing and networking in Boston, New York, Florida and California. Hellafactz attended live performances by such musical heavyweights as Jay Z, Snoop, Naughty By Nature, Mariah Carey, Mr. Vegas, 50 Cent and Rahzel. He relished opportunities to be in the presence of such luminaries as Scorpio and Melle Mel of the Furious 5, Grand Master Flash, and Grand Master Cas. He has shared the stage with T-Pain, Raekwon, Nas, Methodman, Redman, Kardinal Offishall and the legendary KRS ONE. Hellafactz gained a lot of experience and knowledge before returning home to Halifax in early 2007, and has been grinding and getting his name and face out there to the public ever since.

Now that his dream has been in the works for nearly a decade, Hellafactz plays an active role in the hiphop community, having recorded over 200 original songs as a solo artist, juggling projects with his group, Heavy Spittaz, who recorded two CDs (A Sneak Peek; The Preview), and engineering at his own studio where he not only cultivates his own music, but also edits and produces his own music videos. This has been great preparation before hitting the streets with a new and inspiring album in 2009 entitled “Hard 2 B Humble” with a documentary film currently in the making. While many rappers have changed their style to get that cash, Hellafactz feels his role is to be humble and stay an “akdaviss”, while inspiring his listeners with down-to-earth vibes about real issues which impact all of us on a regular basis.

Some of Hellafactz’s primary influences include Notorious B.I.G, Sizzla, Bobby Brown, Das Efx, Petert Tosh, and the iconic KRS ONE with whom he proudly recorded two tracks in 2008. He’s also recorded with Boston legend, Edo G in 2006, and most recently in 2009, Nova Scotia’s own Classified.

Some of Hellafactz’s accomplishments also include being recognized by ANSMA( African Nova Scotia Music Association ) as UP & COMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR IN 2008. Also Hellafactz was selected as 1 of 5 artists for the who’s got next award at the 2009 DJ STYLUS AWARDS picked from more than 140 applicants from across Canada.

” I feel my part in the hiphop community is as an activist, making sure that quality music is being recorded. My goal is to see people have fun at shows and put smiles on their faces, while raising peoples awarness on socially consious issues at the sametime.”

http://www.hellafactz.org

Bio coming soon….

Through his film venture, iZrEAL Media Arts, iZrEAL recently wrote & directed DWB, a short film about race and authority in a routine traffic stop. The film premiered at The 2009 Atlantic Film Festival. His directorial debut, Soley Grey, premiered in the 2007 Atlantic Film. iZrEAL also created, directed and hosted, the 1st rap battle series, The Elements League.

iZrEAL is also a founding member of the Word Iz Bond Spoken Word Artist Collective and is the current National Director of Spoken Word Canada (SPOCAN). iZrEAL was the 2007 canadian representative at the World Cup of Poetry (Bobigny, Paris) and was a member of the 2008 HaliSlam Team, the Canadian National Slam Champions. iZrEAL also routinely hosts and performs at Word Iz Bond’s Speak! Series (Halifax) and has performed at events across the
As Randel Gusto The PrIck, iZrEAL addresses current news stories, local issues, and social commentary from a politically incorrect, honest, and unapologetically black point of view. “Randel’s” unique take on racism, culture and history, and current political and entertainment news stories is delivered through his blunt, confrontational and ultimately real take on society.
http://theprick.ca/

In the summer of 2008 Preach connected with the Stolen From Africa movement out in Toronto and quickly became the offical SFA montreal representative giving SFA Media insights and cultural documentation opportunities within the various under serviced communities of Montreal, Quebec.

Owner of AnkobiaOne Entertainment (Formerly YoungStar United Records) and the developing Crystal Sound Lab and The Scents of Life Arts and Health center, Preach is comfortable wearing many hats and continues to stack them up with his vigorous work ethic.

From being a dancehall and club DJ at the tender age of 14 to releasing a bevvy of singles on radio, appearing on mix tapes and compilations, releasing 2 music videos and his debut album “Voice of the Streets” locally, pushing the careers of local artists such as Fredy V, Ceasrock and Jonathan Emile, co-producing and co-hosting Ckut 90.3fms Soul Perspectives, producing and promoting countless events to promote hip hop culture and transcending the music to become a youth worker and aid in the construction of the Jeunesse 2000 hip hop program with head and hands, it’s almost hard to believe that this young veteran still has years to go before he smells his thirtieth birthday.

So what’s next for Preach Ankobia? We invite you to join us on his journey to see for yourself.

Preach Ankobia is the Rebirth of a Culture!!

http://www.preachankobia.com
http://www.mindpeacelove.com

Ajani Charles is a published digital photographer based in Toronto–the Canadian city famed for its cultural diversity and the creative dynamism of its artistic community.

A graduate of the nationally acclaimed Claude Watson Arts Program, Ajani also apprenticed at the Toronto School of Art and the Art Gallery of Ontario. The mentoring and rigorous training he received at these institutions fertilized his natural talent, shaping him into a versatile and always evolving artist who is well versed in portrait, editorial, glamour, fashion, documentary, product, architectural, and fine art photography.

For Ajani the camera is a medium for self-expression and photography the ideal art form for capturing the ineffable beauty of people, objects, and landscapes. Though his photographs bear the distinctive stamp of his unique regard and sensibility, his work evidences an eclectic panoply of influences which includes Markus Klinko and Indrani, Jill Greenberg, Yousuf Karsh, Ansel Adams, Alexander Rodchenko, Richard Avedon, André Kertesz, David LaChapelle, Steven Spielberg, Hype Williams, Zack Snyder, and Jamel Shabazz.

Ajani’s work has been displayed at the Skills Canada Photographic Skills Competition where he was awarded a medal for the technical polish of his images as a teenager. His photographs have also been exhibited in such venues as the Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art, The New Era Flagship Store and the Koffler Gallery among others. In addition, Ajani has gained considerable notoriety in the Greater Toronto Area through his first photographic documentary, Project T Dot–a visual chronicle of the city’s Hip-Hop culture and community in its entirety through a wide-ranging collection of intimate and dramatic black and white photographs.

Ajani counts among his many and varied clients Canadian Newswire Group, The Torstar Corporation (Eye Weekly, Sway Magazine, etc.), Universal Music Group, ICON Digital Productions, Christian Dior, Fashion Cares, York University, Holt Renfrew, Gridcast Media, The Manifesto, The Burgundy-Brick Foundation, Dynamic Hospitality, Triple Threat Entertainment, The Urban Music Association of Canada, Habitat For Humanity, DreamNow, Mobile Jam Fest, SBC Media, Swagg News, The Canadian, The AIDS Committee of Toronto, Auction Wire, Green Shag, Hip-Hop Canada, The Toronto Independent Music Awards, Cream World Magazine, Voice Marketing, Uniq Lifestyle, Contra Magazine, N4E1, and The Chris Bosh Foundation.

http://www.ajani.ca

In elementary school, Alana was always kicked out of class for telling jokes and making people laugh. By the time she got to highschool, her teachers no longer put up with it. At 19, she completed the 11th and 12th grade through correspondence with the Independent Learning Centre and was elected validictorian at her high school graduation. Still working from an innate passion to tell stories everyone would be impacted by, Alana graduated from the broadcast stream of Humber College’s Journalism program. In 2006 and 2007, Alana put her journalistic skills to test as a reporter for National Public Radio’s Next Generation Radio project at the annual National Association of Black Journalists convention, completing a one-on-one interview with the former Mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and radio spots on various performances and addresses, including ones made by former Senator and now President, Barack Obama and former Senator, now Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Completing highschool through correspondence opened up the time for Alana to also participate in and eventually lead various youth-led initiatives across many communities in Toronto. She started out as a youth peer facilitator at 17 with the Violence Intervention Project with East Metro Youth Services and Leave Out ViolencE’s youth programs. They helped her develop the confidence and self-esteem needed to become a peer facilitator and coordinator of METRAC’s Respect In Action (ReAct) program where she trained her peers to deliver interactive workshops, trainings, and speaking engagements on violence against women and youth.

However, her time at For Youth Initiative has definitely got to be the most life changing and emotionally impactful experience of her life. The by youth, for youth organization provided a space for Alana to feel like she truly belonged not simply because the space was located in the cultural centre of Little Jamaica, but also because it was one of the only spaces Alana could relate to other youth with similar life experiences and learn and grow with them at the same time. It was one of the first times she ever felt like she belonged, connected to people that were as equally connected to her. During her time as a volunteer and youth program worker, Alana also co-produced and co-directed a short documentary called The Forgotten City… in the city that explores the lack of youth services in the Keele & Eglinton community and the bad things that can happen with there’s no access to them.

Currently, Alana coordinates the Emerge program, a young leaders training program through Schools Without Borders. Last year, as a participant in the program’s international exchange component, Alana traveled to Kenya and witnessed the vital and inspirational work of young leaders there. Her trip helped her realize how invaluable and precious traditional knowledge is and how relevant it is to her conceptions of self-worth. With her renewed confidence and love for self, Alana wants to ensure that other young people, who rarely receive opportunities to travel outside of their communities, yet to another continent, experience similar, powerful transformations that contribute to the betterment of themselves and their communities.