The 4-piece live Hiphop collective the Local Onlyz have been keeping it innovative in the Queencity for the past half a decade. Made up of InfoRed from the Little Black Bear First Nation of Saskatchewan, DJ Merky Waters, Thomas Roussin on guitar and Nathaniel Bowen on drums, this collective brings a deliberate deliverance of Hiphop style and musical skills.
InfoRed and DJ Merky Waters have been bringing out underground-styled Hiphop tunes for the last decade, and now with the Local Onlyz, they transcend the barriers of the genre with a raw style of rap, soul, rock and funk that is accented by InfoRed’s technical lyricism, Merky Waters’ clean turntablism and the musical stylings of Thomas Roussin and Nathaniel Brown.
In perfect timing for the fall season, The Local Onlyz say they have ‘fine-tuned’ this release to where they are truly comfortable with it.
“Specnology” is the culmination of the last 10 months of recording from Canadian west coast MC / Producer Jeff Spec, most recognizable for his 2010 release “Sneakerboxxx” and various other albums, 12 inch vinyl singles, and guest vocals and production on a number of records over the past decade. Spec’s new LP is a departure from the jazz-infused, live-instrument driven sound of his previous offering, and a return to his boom-bap roots. The production is massively sample-based, and will get even the starchiest heads nodding. The rhymes celebrate classic MC bravado, and are evidence that his bars can stand next to anyone’s.
Mike Hamm, right, a.k.a. Mikey Maybe, and his friend, Mitch Holtby, left, a.k.a. Mitchmatic, have written a hip-hop track for The Journal’s hockey anthem contest.
Mitchmatic is the strong, silent type. Mikey Maybe is the smiley, talkative one.
Together, the two created hip-hop gold with Served Cold, a fast, furious and funny ditty with references to Oilers forward Jordan Eberle, lunges and “making copper” for The Journal’s puck rock contest.
BACKBURNER IS: Fresh Kils, Wordburglar, Timbuktu, More Or Les, Uncle Fes, Ghettosocks, Chokeules, Jesse Dangerously, Jay Bizzy, Thesis Sahib, Beatmason, Frank Deluxe, Dexter Doolittle, Psybo, Ambition, Johnny Hardcore, Manalive, Ginzu333 & Mister E
Are you a poet and you know it so just stow it ’til you flow it?
We already used that bit – but hey, it fits because Edmonton is looking for its next Poet Laureate. Poetry is big in this town.
The term of our third PL, Roland Pemberton, aka rapper Cadence Weapon, is near its end and we need fresh blood. The two year title comes with a $5,000 per annum “honorarium.” In exchange, our Ambassador of Literary Arts must produce at least three fresh works of poetry per year and appear at various City of Edmonton functions in and out of town, as required. Submissions are being taken until Friday, May 20, at 4:30 p.m.. The nomination form is here, or call 780.420.2787 for information. The new PL will take over July 1.
The Poet Laureate program is a joint effort by the Edmonton Public Library, the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Arts Council. Mayor Stephen Mandel himself is quoted in the official press release sent out today: “The Poet Laureate program has become an integral part of our City’s celebration of our creative community. Since its inception, the Poet Laureate program has given Edmontonians a poetic voice. A rich history of poetic expression has begun to take shape through this program and we honour our Poet Laureate alumni who have set high standards for their successors. We are privileged to have a Poet Laureate program in Edmonton, and even more lucky to have so many excellent poets to take on the role.”
Hey, that was quite poetic even though it didn’t rhyme, don’t you think? Sadly, neither mayors nor City Council members may enter this competition.
Are you a poet and you know it so just stow it ’til you flow it?
