GESCHA

It wasn't that long ago that heads would turn if you heard a rapper was from Saskatoon, but these days, Prairie rap is a legitimate segment of Canada’s hip-hop scene and every year another emcee garners national attention. This year, it's Gescha's turn. SoulMatters got the chance to wax philosophical with Gescha about his album, Crayon Politics, and the music he loves so much, hip-hop. [Read]

TRACY CRUZ

Who is Tracy Cruz, you ask? Originally from the Philippines but now based out of California, she’s a true singer/songwriter. On her sophomore album Universoul Symphony, Cruz lays it all on the line with thirteen tracks about love, life and of course, heartache. SoulMatters got Tracy Cruz talking about her musical journey, the new album, and found that she's an independent artist with a top billing mentality. [Read]

BOOTLEG CULUTURE (LP), the long anticipated release from MASIA ONE kicks off with the debut of a new music video: WARRIORS TONGUE.

Filmed during her MERDEKA TOUR 2011 of South East Asia, Masia fell in love with the people, culture and colors of the Philippines. Working together with Philippines’ own creative collective 22Deep, this music video showcases the fresh talents of Director Kevin Vea, Editor Cedric Cordero and Producer Geric Stevens.

As the debut single off Masia One’s forthcoming album, WARRIORS TONGUE sets the mood and message of the project chanting for people to feel brave and strong in themselves. Recognizing that the world is full of seemingly overwhelming obstacles, whether gun violence or naysayers with negative intentions, Masia chants the chorus encouraging all to rise above their troubles and realize the power of their thoughts, words and freedom to speak out. WARRIORS TONGUE is metaphor for those that speak the language of bravery and move to rhythm of their own song.

Courtesy of tenfour Communications

Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International

Chimes of Freedom consists of 75-recorded Bob Dylan songs by over 80 artists! You can get your mitts on this bad boy right now! This very special tribute celebrates Amnesty International’s 50th anniversary and their human rights work. The 75-tracks will be spread out on 4 discs and as a digital release.

Chimes of Freedom has a smorgasbord of artists: Adele, Bad Religion, Cage the Elephant, Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, Evan Rachel Wood, Flogging Molly, Jack’s Mannequin, Pete Seeger, Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha, Lenny Kravitz, Sinead O’Connor, Queens of the Stone Age, Sting, K’NAAN, and oh so many more!

Chimes of Freedom has some funk, some rock n’ roll, and some good old folk. Seventy songs were recorded just for Amnesty’s birthday with the added bonus of a few previously unreleased recordings.

To celebrate all things Amnesty and Dylan, you can purchase Chimes of Freedom on iTunes or on Amnesty International's website.

"YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE"

Released in 1976 as a B-Side track from the title album, Candi Staton made her mark in the disco world. While the genre was waning by then, Staton’s soulful vocals coupled with uplifting lyrics catapulted this song onto the Billboard Hot 100 singles and into the hearts of millions. While she is often thought of as a Gospel singer, Staton’s singing on this tune is simply timeless.   [Listen]

BAKARDI SLANG (2001)

While 2001 is remembered for many things, i.e., 9/11, on a brighter side, it is also the year that Toronto-rapper Kardinal Offishall dropped what many consider to be a straight up T-Dot anthem, “Bakardi Slang” from the album Quest for Fire. With lyrics like “We don't say 'you know what I'm sayin'/T dot says 'ya dun know'/We don't say 'hey that's the breaks'/we say 'yo, a so it go” Kardi put Toronto on the hip-hop map. [Read]