F-You Book Review

“Sometimes our deepest pains become our most beautiful lessons,” writes Tara Muldoon, founder of F-You: The Forgiveness Project, in her new book F-You: The Forgiveness Project – Memoirs on Violence and Compassion.

Muldoon created a dialogue through the F-You Project defining forgiveness and evolving trauma into healing through a discussion group, which became a movement, which in turn led to the F-You book. The volume features 21 pieces of writing from talented young people, including poetry and personal reflections on forgiveness, as these young minds share insight on their journey to recovery through their unique stories and powerful perspectives.

With project co-signs from Manifesto’s former Executive Director, Che Kothari, super-producer Boi-1da and The Globe and Mail, the book is sure to create a conversation about the importance of forgiveness, word-by-word and page-by-page.

Canadian hip-hop icon, Kardinal Offishall sets the tone of the captivating book with a well-written, realistic foreword as a voice for the rap community, taking responsibility for the problems the music industry causes and urging readers to set goals in order to begin to make a real change so that these communities shy away from violence.

Muldoon then takes over the pen, introducing the book by sharing her own struggle to recover from her personal life traumas through forgiveness and credits the movement for being able to let go in a beautifully honest testimony, before turning the remainder of the book over to the young writers.

Canadian hip-hop artist, L The 12th Letter draws a powerful parallel between bullets and words in his intriguing piece titled, “Words”, Jessica Kaya pulls at the heartstrings while writing a genuine piece on suicide, loneliness and mental illness, while Sahar T captures a shooting victim, speaking beyond the grave to his shooter in the passionately-written, “Barrel of the Gun”.

The book even leaves pages at the end for personal reflection notes so that readers can use the book as a tool during their own process of forgiveness.

F-You: The Forgiveness Project – Memoirs on Violence and Compassion is an innovative and passionate project. While highlighting the talented writing skills of each author involved, it is also sure to open eyes and minds on reasons for the current state of violence and the importance of letting go.

Lauryn Hill OnexOne concert

Talib Kweli said it best, “Ms. Hill, you got skills, that’s a gift, it’s real, get ill, what you spit got the power to uplift the hill.”
As part of a fundraiser for the OneXOne foundation, Kool Haus was transformed into the Diesel lounge last Saturday night to host Ms. Lauryn Hill’s intimate showcase.
Olunike Adeliyi, Toronto-born “Flashpoint” actress smiled amongst many other celebrities such as Kristin Kreuk, Jully Black and Jeremy Jack Bieber on the Diesel red carpet before entering the OnexOne foundation fundraiser. She said she’s excited to have the opportunity to support the OnexOne charity.

 “It’s people helping people; one helping one; that is such a great concept. It’s always an honour to be a part of a charity that wants to reach out and help,” she said.
Kardinal Offishall set off the high energy night of performances with his hits “The Anthem”, “Numba 1” and “Beautiful” before bringing out Maestro Fresh Wes, Jully Black, Shi Wisdom and K’naan as surprise guests. K’naan surprised the crowd by performing his new unreleased track “The Seed”, which the audience soaked in.
Up next, Scratch from the legendary hip-hop group, The Roots, performed a melody of tracks through the art of human beatboxing, which had the crowd entertained, even though the anticipation of Lauryn Hill filled the venue.

Canadian singer/songwriter Jully Black, who performed at the show, said Lauryn Hill impacted every aspect of her career. “How hasn’t she [influenced me]? The reality is that she’s been singing and rapping for such a long time, but being someone who was raised in the church and hearing her voice on “Joyful Joyful”, I was able to start reciting those songs at a young age and performing those songs… Just being a soul singer. It’s really nice to hear how long her music has stood the test of time,” said Black.
The deafening screams filled Kool Haus’ packed Diesel lounge as Lauryn Hill took centre stage wearing knee-high fringed black Louboutin boots and a black see-through sequined dress. “You missed me?” she said. “I missed you too.”
The soul queen herself performed hits from her chart-topping catalogue of musical masterpieces such as “Lost Ones”, “To Zion”, “Superstar”, “Final Hour”, “Ex-Factor” and “Ready Or Not”, with a stage presence almost extinct nowadays. She led her band the entire show, as it watched and read her every gesture, as her performance was obviously genuine. She was just as lost in the music as the packed audience that sang along to every word. It was a spiritual performance from the heart, and it was apparent that both her and those in attendance knew that the stage is where she belongs.

Watching from the side of the stage was two of her six children, whom she brought out to the stage and introduced to the welcoming crowd who waved. Her 10-year-old son, Joshua, spit a verse for the crowd who supported and cheered him on. She performed an emotional and powerful performance of “Killing Me Softly” before exiting the stage. She returned moments later to an uproar of screams from the crowd to bless the crowd with a bonus performance of “Turn The Lights Down Low”, “Could You Be Love” and “Doo Wop”.
It was a night of legendary performances in the name of charity.

Photos by: Michelle Green

Flow 93.5 Summer Jam

The second annual FLOW 93-5 Bacardi Summer Jam, which took place at The Masonic Temple last Friday night, was definitely Toronto’s party of the summer.
Tickets, which were sold out in one day, could only be won on-air, drawing in a diverse crowd of radio listeners, rather than genre-specific fans. The night was jam-packed with Canadian talent as DJ Starting From Scratch spun the ones and twos before performances by The Airplane Boys, Dru, Shawn Desman, Melanie Fiona and host, Kardinal Offishall.
“It’s a real nice party atmosphere and the people that came out to see everybody, they’re not the sometimes ‘typical’ Toronto mood, everybody is really enjoying themselves, which is always a good surprise, so it’s dope,” said Kardi, who hyped up the audience with his comedic personality and spirited stage presence.
The Airplane Boys began the show with a bang, performing tracks such as “Born To Be” and “Beau Monde” with the unique sound, swag and stage presence the group is known for. The hip-hop duo even cooled the audience down by pouring two bottles of water into the crowd.
Shawn Desman, who is a performing veteran, sang hits such as “Shiver” and “Electric” with two backup dancers, showcasing why he has continued to stay relevant after over a decade in the game with hit after hit.

Melanie Fiona, who also performed last year at the first Summer Jam, headlined this year’s event, and proved why she is Canada’s R&B princess by belting out her hits such as “Change The Record”, “4 AM” and “Give It To Me Right” in a pair of killer red heels. She held it down as the only female on the bill, while the crowd sang along with her every word.
“It’s fun being able to be home and being able to do a show with this cool vibe and everyone is a little nice off the Bacardi and it’s beautiful,” said Fiona. “FLOW is doing its thing for the city and I appreciate it. Sharing the stage with fellow Torontonians and artists, it’s the best shows you can do.”
The Summer Jam’s party vibe and all homegrown talent on the bill made it a unique showcase. Only two years in, it is safe to say that the jam will only get bigger but many of the artists say that it is important to keep the event Canadian based.
“The beauty of FLOW Summer Jam is that it’s Toronto’s urban station and a lot of artists look at this as their haven, their environment, it’s our own – it’s Toronto. When you say FLOW – that’s us, that’s this city, so it should stay this city,” said Beck Motley of The Airplane Boys.

Each artist shared that they only have hopes for the Summer Jam to grow in the future, but an all-Canadian cast will only flourish with the help of more media outlets such as FLOW 93.5 FM.
“As the radio stations and media outlets continue to support our own talent, it’s going to be a bigger bill and more of a demand to see Toronto artists,” explained Fiona. “I think it’s just going to get bigger and better.”

Photos by: Fitzroy Facey

Kardinal Offishal helps kick off Pan Am Games

Toronto residents, government officials, athletes and over 1,600 summer camp children made it out to Nathan Phillips Square last Tuesday to celebrate the three-year countdown to the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games that will be taking place in Toronto in 2015, an event which will involve over 41 countries in a multi-sport competition.
As part of the flag-raising ceremony, Mayor Rob Ford pronounced July 10, 2012 as the official Pan Am/Parapan Am Day. “Toronto is proud to host the games and today’s event that is just the beginning to what we have to display to the rest of the world of our culture, talents and passion for sports that the rest of the world will enjoy. As the host city, the games will leave Toronto with a lasting legacy that residences and businesses will be able to enjoy for years to come,” he said.

YTV’s Carlos Bustamante and Melissa Hetu hosted the afternoon of entertainment by Canadian talent, which included performances by Andrew Forde, Eliana Cuevas and Aline Morales. Workout team Socacize provided the crowd with an opportunity to participate in a cardio dance exercise to soca, reggae and dancehall, which the children took advantage of, despite the sweltering heat. Dance crews Northbuck and Supernaturalz Crew wowed the square with their energetic choreography before the youth program Just BGRAPHIC took over the stage displaying young, enthusiastic dance and lyricism.
Basketball freestyler Q-Mack and beatboxer Scott Jackson who run a bullying campaign together, joined the stage to provide a comedic and entertaining performance, which the crowd was enthusiastic about. “I think it’s going to be an exciting time for Toronto,” said Jackson on the upcoming games. Jackson used his skills to provide the square with dancehall, electro and R&B with just his mouth and a mic.

Besides an afternoon of performances, those who made it out had the opportunity to take part in many athletic activities provided by KidSport Sport Alliance, as well as face-painting, an obstacle course and jumping castles, as well as received a lot of free swag.
The afternoon of sports and entertainment in the sun ended with an anticipated set by Toronto’s own Kardinal Offishall, who performed his hits “Dangerous”, “The Anthem” and “Numba 1”, which had the whole crowd singing along. After tossing free T-shirts into the crowd, Kardi saw two children arguing over a T-shirt. He stopped the music and underlined that the day was about peace and unity. To prove his point, he took off his Blue Jays jersey and gave it to a child in the audience before continuing his set.
Even though the games are still three years away, the excitement filled the square as everyone enjoyed the activities and the anticipation of what is to come.

Photos by: Michelle Green