Wes Mackey

72 year old Bluesman to perform at Gottingen Street Festival

“Of all the places I’ve been to in my life Halifax will always be special,” says 72 year old bluesman Wes Mackey. With 50 years + as a professional musician his journey back has been a long and winding road that took him to places like Hong Kong, Germany. Belgium, Russia, Malaysia, Switzerland and France where he is an honorary citizen of Provence. “But my family is here and it’s really where it started for me here in Canada. When I heard about Gottingen Street Festival I worked hard at getting them to book me.”

Mackey states that, even before he knew about the festival he had put out a song, “Thank you Carolina”, where he sings about The Arrow Club and Creighton St. The album marks Mackey’s fourth, and has received stellar reviews.

Born and raised in rural South Carolina, he learned to play the guitar from the seasoned old blues players of the Deep South. He eventually moved to Augusta, Georgia, where he began working in small juke joints and dusty honky tonks and where his first “professional” gig paid 50 cents and a chicken sandwich. Soon he found himself playing in the local bands that backed up touring greats like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Stevie Wonder and many others. Then for years he worked on the road as a sideman and unlike his contemporaries who had migrated to big American cities, he soon found himself in Canada.

Mackey became an integral part of the Halifax music scene, including doing shows for CBC and performing with Canadian icon Gordie Tapp. Eventually overwhelming personal issues lead to Mackey’s departure.

A broken man, he travelled under the radar and years of hard partying had taken its toll. When his family contacted him one day out of the blue his life changed.

He was finally ready to get back on stage but he had to start all over again. It took some time but eventually he went from working those dusty honky tonks of the past to clubs, resorts, and five star venues around the world. The accolades are many but among them were two back-to-back nominations for Best Contemporary Blues Artist by The JUS BLUES Foundation.

Now Mackey is busier than ever with a long list of ever evolving and diverse projects that often confuse people but make him very happy. Known for his outstanding showmanship and uplifting performances, Mackey’s work epitomizes the phrase,”the blues is not just about being down on youself: it’s about using the music to lift your spirits and celebrate life” (See Magazine).

The Journey Continues. Learn more about Wes story at www.wesmackey.com

Wes will be performing on Saturday September 13 between 3pm and 6pm at The Uptown Revival, featuring Gary Steed on drums and Wes Mackey Jr. on sax

Contact: Laura Fisher Mackfish Publishing & Music Media  mackfishmusic@gmail.com 1-604-6883906

R.A.W. Cypher

The R.A.W Cypher, presented by Abstract Vision and Woozy Blankz, is a monthly event unlike any other in HRM. R.A.W is a live Hip-Hop event that features fresh local artists and provides a platform for freestyle sessions. The cypher is an integral part of hip-hop culture, where artists take turns rhyming off the top of their head (also known as freestyling) over instrumentals. In these expressions of pure talent, hip-hop is taken back to its roots. Each month the R.A.W. Cypher features new and established artists showcasing their rhyming, freestyle, and rap skills.

Universal Soul

Universal Soul is MCs F.I.Z. (Finley Tolliver), Tacktishion (Tracey Williams) and DJ IV.Bringing real hip hop to the masses, Universal Soul reached new heights in 2003 when they released their first widely distributed album, “Time Capsule”which received multiple awards, including Much Music Video of the Year for, “Way Back in the Day”.

Their awards, accolades, and achievements throughout the years are too numerous to list. Suffice it to say they have certainly made their mark on the local as well as national hip hop scene. From TV appearances to outdoor festivals, to recognition from City Hall, U-Soul’s diverse and abundant accomplishments mark their 25-year evolution. The group remain true to their roots; delivering classic hip-hop with style and grace. With a penchant for keeping it positive, U-Soul never shies away from addressing complex and sometimes controversial issues. Golden era, boom-bap style beatsare the perfect compliment to hooks and lyrics,bridging the philisophical with straight-up party rocking.  Known for their explosive live show, the group has and always will be about the music.

www.myspace.com/universalsoul902

Cindy Cain

Cyndi Cain is a showstopper. Exercising her powerful set of pipes since the age of three, the Halifax-based soul singer and songwriter has been a performer for her entire life. From belting out gospel songs as little girl at church to treating Club Med crowds in Florida, Mexico and the Dominican Republic to Motown hits and familiar show tunes, Cain—who, unsurprisingly, has a background in musical theatre— knows how to own a crowd, especially here at home. One of the East Coast’s greatest neo-soul singers, she’s already collected an African Nova Scotia Music award and an East Coast Music Award nomination and been named a Galaxie Rising Star. And this star knows no limits. She’s shared stages with Michael Bublé, Dutch Mason, Symphony Nova Scotia and at last year’s Halifax Jazz Festival, Charles Bradley, delivering high-powered, passionate and confident performances no matter the audience or setting. With Soul Food, the follow-up to 2009’s Essentially Cyndi, Cain brings another dose of music you can feel from your fingers to your toes. – See more at: http://musicnovascotia.ca/CyndiCain#sthash.h78gyuQj.dpuf

http://cyndicain.com/

Silvio Pupo

Evolution Sounds

Evolution Sounds is a DJ group that hails from the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean so our roots run deep in the area of Reggae and Dancehall music. DJ Webber and DJ Max settled in Halifax and have since been spreading the positive vibes and energy that Reggae music gives.  It’s an amazing feeling when you can use your talents to have a positive impact on someone despite their differences and this is truly what happens when Evolution plays. Our group is motivated by a genuine love for music and a passion for bringing people together.

Amazona Sound International

Amazona Sound International is one of Atlantic Canada’s leading Caribbean music sound systems. The movement was started in 2007 by founding members and main selectors, Electrik J and Topkat. Currently, Amazona Sound is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Toronto, Ontario. Their head office, however, still remains located in St. Lucia. Standing firmly by their mission statement, they have played and promoted a variety of Caribbean Music events throughout the UK, Germany, the USA and Atlantic Canada since 2009. In addition to working with, and opening for artists such as Beenie Man, Serani, Gyptian, Elephant Man, Richie Spice, Lindo P, South Rakkas Crew, Lil Kim, Etana, August Alsina, YG 400 and Lady Saw; their diverse and extensive playlist also includes a variety of music, that has been fused together perfectly. Popular musical genres like Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Hip-Hop, R&B, Afro-Beats, Mumbhaton, Trap and EDM; are some of the genres utilized regularly to entertain crowds at events. Great selections and a performance that gets the crowd hyped leads to a truly Amazonaexperience that only their selectors can provide.

www.amazonasound.com
facebook/Amazona Sound
twitter@amazonasound
https://soundcloud.com/amazonasound
http://amazonasound.podomatic.com

Ghettochild

Paul Smith was born and raised in Halifax’s North End Community of Uniacke Square.  From a young age he involved himself in anything music related from pageants and community events as a child, to battles and ciphers on the corners and in clubs as he grew up.  Taking the stage name Ghettochild, he, along with fellow Squaretown artists, AWOL, T Bone D and Jordan Croucher (JRDN) created the scene-changing group NEP.  NEP released many mix tapes together before eventually branching out as solo artists.  As well as performing and recording as a solo artist, Ghettochild was later a part of the group Heavy Spittaz. This group went on to gain Canada-wide exposure for their hype sound and performance style.  Ghettochild has released five mixtapes as a solo artist: “The Fax of Life” (2003), “Haligonian” (2005), “Time to Get Serious” (2007), “Time to Get Serious Vol. 2 (2012), and “House Arrest: From the Cell to the Booth” (2013).  He released his debut album, “In the Making” in November 2010. His sophomore album, “I’m Here” is set to be released October 2014. Also being released in October is the first single and video from the album, “Grindin’,” featuring LOX member Sheek Louch. Both albums feature work by award winning producers such as Tone Mason and Kuya Productions as well as many local up and coming producers. In recent years Ghetto has had the opportunity to open for many international artists including Nas, KRS-One, Ludacris, Redman & Method Man, Maestro, Kardinal Offishall, K-OS, Raekwon, Xzibit, TPain, Ne-Y, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Choclair, Saukrates, Nelly, Ghostface, and Sheek Louch.  Ghetto has appeared on Jordan Croucher (JRDN)’s 2007 debut album, “No Dress Code” and Classified’s 2009 album, “Self Explanatory”.  In 2011, Ghettochild was nominated for three awards by Music Nova Scotia; Digital Artist of the Year, Hip Hop Artist of the Year, and Video of the Year for his song, “On the Move ft Chad Hatcher” from his album, “In the Making”.  In April 2012, Ghettochild was the recipient of the African-Canadian Recording of the Year award at the East Coast Music Awards.

JRDN 

With his new EP, self titled JRDN (Kuya Productions/Fontana North) Toronto-based R&B sensation JRDN unveils a set of songs certain to cement his reputation as one of Canada’s brightest stars.

Written and recorded with Kuya Productions (Nelly, Ginuwine, Akon), Danny Boy Styles, Chuck Harmony (Ne-Yo, K’naan), J-Doe (Jamie Foxx, Tyrese) and others, JRDN shows substantial growth as an artist. “It’s been three years since I released IAMJRDN and this time selecting the songs I wanted to put out there was easier because I know the direction I want to go in and the kind of sound I want. For me, the lyrics have to touch home. I have to mean what I’m saying and have experienced what I’m singing about to bring out all the emotion in a track.”

JRDN’s commitment to that ethic impacted the choice of every song on the record and ‘Live My Dream’ – recorded with Danny Boy Styles in Toronto’s Liberty Studios – more than any other. “When I first heard it I literally filled up emotionally. It spoke to me so strongly because it relates closely to my own process of trying to get where I want to be in my career.”

DJ IV

Internationally travelled, with the stamps to prove it, Dj IV has earned his placement amongst Canada’s most versatile, experienced & respected working Dj’s.  A staple in the East Coast of Canada, as party goers of all varieties know him to be the “deliverer of goods” when it’s time to parties. He is the “go to” guy when artists need a solid backbone on stage, the studio, & as proven by the track record, building successful club night residencies.

For over the past decade, IV has taken his top notch turntablism skills & club mixing/remixing blends and incorporated them into a style that has proven to entertain world wide. If you don’t believe the hype, his touring schedule & Dj battles will leave no question he is the hardest working Dj residing in Atlantic Canada.

His ear for technical perfection got him recognition early in his career which led him to full time stage and studio positions with local legends, Universal Soul and Universal Music Recording Artist, Classified.

IV started to gain nominations & awards that he continues to hold to this day.  The Stylus Dj Awards, The Coast Magazine and Music Nova Scotia have all garnished IV as their “Dj of the Year” for multiple years & counting.   IV has also been nominated for 2 MMVA’s and received 1 for his contributions on “Anybody Listening” which was released by Classified on Sony Music.

He has shared International stages with the likes of Hip-Hop royalty. Whether Dj’ing for Shaquille O’Neil, Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, Maestro Fresh Wes or Classified, IV’s stays ready for whoever may acquire his talents.

2014 finds IV in the studio on a more regular basis taking on a producer/engineer role at TMG Entertainment’s Studios as he continues to work with his group Universal Soul, Classified and a slew of up & coming artists he’s met across his travels.

No matter what kind of event you have planned, you can rest assured that IV will have the right tunes to keep your company entertained all night long with a seamlessly mixed flawless track selection. He is guaranteed to bring any event to life & take it to the next level.

Ria Mae
Ria Mae is an acclaimed singer/songwriter. Her album, Under Your Skin, received the ECMA for Pop Recording of the Year in 2012. Mae’s latest project, produced by JUNO Award-winner Classified, will be released in 2014.

“If you haven’t heard and explored the perfection that is artist Ria Mae yet, I urge you to seek her out. You won’t be sorry. The crowd chanted her name as she left the stage, hungry for more.” The Chronicle Herald, 2013

GhettoSocks 

Noted as one of the top rappers in Canada (The CBC’s Top 25 Greatest Canadian Rappers Ever), Ghettosocks is a JUNO Award nominated Hip Hop Producer and MC born in Ottawa and living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. From 2002 to 2006, he attended and completed his media arts degree at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) in Halifax. While there, Socks would establish himself as a prominent member of the local Hip Hop scene. Founder of Public Rap Distribution (known as PRD, a cypher where local rappers would gather to test their battling skills), Ghettosocks also demonstrated his love for the art of Rap and performance by participating in numerous benefit concerts and youth groups including CKDU 88.1 FM Fundraisers, Books Behind Bars, HRM Schools, Girls’ Empowerment Mentoring, Halifax Public Libraries, Winter Homeless Shelter, various all-ages shows, and rap battles.

In a short period of time, Socks has built his fan base from his Halifax headquarters, stretching across Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, Japan, and the United States. His unorthodox songwriting style, energetic live performances, and captivating free-styling abilities have earned him a spot among the elite of Halifax Hip Hop talent. Constantly touring various regions of Canada, Socks has opened for a who’s who of established artists including: Nas, Afrika Bambaataa, Special Ed, The Gza, The Beatnuts, The Herbaliser, El da Sensei and The Returners, and Kool Herc to be brief. Socks is no stranger to the road, having performed throughout Canada, embarked on two American tours, three European tours, plus an introductory Japanese tour of Osaka and Tokyo in 2010.

Always looking to keep things fresh, at least when it comes to food and music, Socks feeds his appetite for hip hop by collaborating with many different artists and producers. Aside from the multitude of guest appearances on tracks for artists such as: El da Sensei and The Returners, The Extremities, More Or Les, Wordburglar, and Timbuktu among others; Socks also pioneers rap ensembles soon to be classified as some of the best rap crews ever conceived. Starting with Alpha Flight (Ghettosocks + Bix + DJ Y-Rush + DJ Josh + DJ Jabba the Cut) in 2003, Twin Peaks (Ghettosocks + Muneshine) in 2010, Teenburger (Ghettosocks + Timbuktu) in 2011, and WOLVES (Ghettosocks + Bix + Timbuktu + Muneshine + D-Sisive) coming in 2013.

Jorun Bombay

Jorun Bombay is a Portuguese hip hop DJ & Artist/Producer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was one of the key people to pioneer the hip hop scene here on the East Coast. Although Halifax’s hip hop scene dates back to 1984, under the tutelage of prominent hip hop artists MCJ & Cool G. The scene largely dissolved in Halifax around 1990 when  MCJ & Cool G, left Halifax to sign to Capitol records. Jorun Bombay kept performing as a DJ, but was dissatisfied with opening for local rock bands. To alleviate his woes, he opened his home studio to the public and recorded demos with his close & personal friends. From these humble but fertile beginnings, Jorun’s crew, “Haltown Projex” was born (1993). Between 1993 – 2000, Jorun Bombay introduced Halifax to artists unlike any that had come before. These artists included, among others, Buck 65 (Then known as Haslam/Stinkin Rich), Classified, Sixtoo, and Hip Club Groove (who was later signed to Sloans “Murderrecords” then became the Group “Len” on Dreamworks). Since the turn of the Millenium, Jorun Bombay has continued to work with the best of the best from home and away. His affiliations of late include, Buck65 (Warner Bros/Anticon) Classified (Sony), Z-trip, Wordburglar, More Or Les, Sixtoo (Anticon/Ninjatune), Maestro Fresh Wes, Phill Most Chill, First Words, Skratch Bastid, and Backburner.

Recently, Jorun Bombay has released records on the DWG record Label in the U.K., on Canadian label Dead-beats (based in Fredericton, NB) and has had his work appear on DJ Jazzy Jeff’s, “Summertime vol 2” (2011) & “Super 7’s” (2012) mixtapes. Jorun has made cameos in various music videos like Classified’s, “The Maritimes”, “Maybe it’s me” (with Brother Ali), and “No mistakes”; Ghettosocks’, “Out for treats”; Timbuktu’s, “The New Science”; and Josh Martinez’, “Goin’ back to Hali”.

Jorun Bombay stays true to his classic hip hop roots; his beats are based on breakbeats and samples from classic records. He has been lauded as the “Funky President” by ?uestlove of the Roots (via Twitter). The depth of his knowledge and skill makes his party-rocking sets seem effortless, even when he is mixing solely ’45s. Jorun is well known to most everyone involved in Halifax hip hop; his selections are guaranteed to please hip hop heads, dance floor divas, and everyone in between.

Skratch Bastid

Over the past 15 years, Canada’s own Skratch Bastid has been spreading his skills and
name around the world, one sweaty crowd at a time. What first started at DJ competitions
like DMC, ITF, and Scribble Jam where he became a certified entertainer and show
favorite has now affected the four corners of the globe, establishing him as a “DJ’s DJ”
and a true master of the craft recognized by the best in the game.

At the rate of over 200 shows a year for over five years, his reputation as one of the
hardest working DJs in the world comes as no surprise. Increasingly heralded for his
comfort and versatility in different styles – hip hop, funk, disco, club, rock and just about
anything that makes people dance- the Bastid has rocked dance floors in Asia, Europe,
Down Under and everywhere in between. With an incomparable hold in his country
where he has become a staple of Canadian DJ history, he now celebrates his culture and
community in his home base of Toronto and throughout Canada with the annual Bastid’s
BBQ held every summer.

His collaborations at the concert series The Flex as well as his cross-country live A/V
show Skratch Of All Trades have kept him one step ahead of the competition by pushing
the boundaries of live DJing. In 2011, he officially began his ambassadorship of the
widely-popular Red Bull Thre3style competition and has since been an integral part of its
international success, touring with it globally.

This relentless approach to live performance always gives him a leg up as a producer,
helping him craft some of the most critically-acclaimed production work in Canadian hip
hop including the Juno nominated Situation album with Buck 65 and Shad’s Flying
Colours, among others. His own remixes and blends have also amassed millions of plays
and become supreme ammo for selectors around the world.

The turntable champion and crowd favorite is steadily taking his craft to new heights and
bringing his audience along for the ride. Having rocked the bar many
times, Skratch Bastid is always the first one to raise it.

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