Winnipeg State of Mind :: HAVS

Photo by ONSITE

Words by Nigel Webber

“My album will manifest many things that I saw, did or heard about” – OC

“Ok I guess I’m really doing this,” HAVS thought after her February 2018 opening set for SonReal at the Garrick Centre. Only about a year into recording music seriously at that point, HAVS opener for SonReal was only her second live show with her as a promoted act. At the time she was one half of the duo Pesh x HAVS but since has chosen to branch out and go solo. Continue reading “Winnipeg State of Mind :: HAVS”

Bridging the Styx :: Music collective Styx City Cult talk Greek mythology, supporting local artists and creating a platform for the weird kids

styxcitycult. From left to right: 10kay, DIEmond, Phre$h Prince, lilnappyboi, STMBLZ, Ivan Silk, Yung Romello, drinkbleachh, Jesse Meush, SpaghKing, Thatcher Robinson and Yung Emerald. Not pictured: Postwar, Shea and TRRM.

Photos by Graeme  Houssin and J. De Castro

Words by Graeme Houssin

When rapper SpaghKing entered the Winnipeg scene, he found a city divided. Harsh lines separated genres, and “old hip hop heads” dominated the rap scene as arbiters of taste, only booking artists that conformed to their ideas of what rap could and must be. Continue reading “Bridging the Styx :: Music collective Styx City Cult talk Greek mythology, supporting local artists and creating a platform for the weird kids”

Track Review :: Anthony OKS “TBA”

by Nigel Webber

Anthony OKS has achieved certified banger status with “TBA.” OKS, a member of long running Winnipeg hip-hop group the Lytics, has a new single from his solo project that features his brother and fellow Lytic, Andrew O. The beat for “TBA,” produced by Paalsh, is driven by a pulsing bass guitar riff, allowing OKS’ vocals to reinforce the urge to head nod. Continue reading “Track Review :: Anthony OKS “TBA””

Northern Touch Music Fesival

by Nigel Webber

“It’s hard to conceive that you can be something when you had nothing” – Choclair

Northern Touch Music Festival enters their sophomore year in 2018 expanded and with results on the promise of furthering local hip-hop, R&B and soul acts. The festival, taking place June 29 to July 1, draws their name and inspiration from a touchstone song in Canadian hip-hop. “Northern Touch” by Rascalz featuring Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, CheckMate and Thrust was an important record when released in 1999. Continue reading “Northern Touch Music Fesival”

Winnipeg State of Mind

By Nigel Webber

“Rap is something you do, hip-hop is something you live.” – KRS-One

2017 was the year hip-hop took over the music industry. With huge hits by Cardi B and Kendrick Lamar among others, it seems only natural for Vulture Magazine to call 2017 “the year hip-hop won the music business.” Through streaming platforms like Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube, hip-hop now reaches it’s biggest audience ever. The music has come a long way from DJ Kool Herc throwing jams in Cedar Park in the Bronx, but hip-hop still struggles to find acceptance in the mainstream pop radio world. Continue reading “Winnipeg State of Mind”