Young Jeezy #TIDALXJeezy Concert –July15

By: Lyndsay Brown

TIDAL streamed an exclusive Young Jeezy concert #TIDALXJeezy on the evening of July 25, 2015. Jeezy has been going hard with his Trap Rap for ten years now, and has the same energy and charisma to offer his “day 1’s” fan base as he did ten years ago.  Jeezy repeated himself during the night saying: “I told you this was a TM 101 show, but I lied, and I don’t lie a lot”. Since this was a ten year anniversary celebration concert he was playing his older music, and  brought out his conglomerate such as: T.I, Bun B,  Dj Drama, Mannie Fresh, Boyz N Da Hood crew, and Usher just to name a few.  The show was going so good that Jeezy wanted to stay all mf night; when the stream ended it looked like the show would continue on into the morning. Wish I was there to sing along and make noise too, but really thanks to TIDAL I got in on the action- YYEA!!

One of my favorite Jeezy is “Soul Survivor” ft Akon, watch below:

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Pan Am Games, Nathan Phillips Square Celebration Event [Experience]:  July 25, 2015

Pan Am Games, Toronto2015 has been on, and poppin' this summer some Torontonian's see it as a inconvenience having the city over crowded, and others see it for the beautiful spice it adds to our city. There's sports, there's music, there's art, there's culture, there's fireworks, something new everyday, and a price range that ensures all can afford to enjoy.

The first thing that caught may attention after the games started was that Kanye West would be in Toronto to perform the closing ceremonies Pan Am Games Toronto2015, the second was the fact that daily celebrations have been organized around the city featuring new Indie acts everyday. Sun, music, art all in one place count me in.  

On July 25, 2015 Nathan Phillips Square Celebration included an Art Battle with Painter's & canvas, live Music, a huge Toronto2015 SUPERSTORE gift shop, musical swings, and big outdoor screens for people who want to watch the games. Walking up to Nathan Phillips Square Celebration one gets excited by the music, and bright colors of the games.

In the afternoon Justin Hines was on stage singing Folk/Country music his voice is great (no lie), and he played the Harmonica setting a friendly atmosphere. Outside the Toronto2015 SUPERSTORE (gift shop) was a man by the name of David Arrigo painting athletes on canvas who participated in the Pan Am Games. Other finished paintings that have been completed by David are hanging on the wall leading out of the SUPERSTORE (gift shop). David Arrigo has a shop of his own on Hockey Valley if you want to check it out or want a painting done. continuing on, the main attraction was the Art Battle bringing the best painters from around the world together to battle in two 20 min challenges judged by the audience. This event was held under the "Ark of Freedom"; the stage built on the shallow water. The Art Battle was fun for those who enjoy art, and many were in attendance! there was to be two rounds of votes to determine the final winner. During the second round of  the event event management shut down the stage due to a weather warning of thunder. This was a real bummer for the spectators/voters, and the artists themselves. Nobody would be disappointed for long...

After the cancellation of the Art Battle everyone heard Classical music coming from the far stage; People took notice after they heard bass too!? everyone quickly made their way over to the Black Violin performance, that got everyone dancing swinging and their arms. Black Violin group met each other in high school they say they listened to Classical music, and WU-TANG. The two young men from Miami, Florida  decided to fuse the two sounds together making Classical/Hip Hop- Brilliant!  some people planned on leaving, but stayed just to listen to the captivating music and entertainers.

Below is an event photo album by: HOOKEDUPB MAG (July 25, 2015) as well as, a short video shot on a cell phone of Black Violin on stage. 

If your interested in the celebrations you can look up the details, and schedules at www.toronto2015.org  

The closing ceremony is on July 26, 2015 

So a couple days ago Meek Mill said publicly that he doesn't believe Toronto's own Drake writes his own lyrics;a pretty hefty comment!! The Hip-Hop community reacted...Hmm, well not just Hip Hop, politics too (lol)...um, and apparently mutual female friend of theirs Nicki Minaj :0

In short, I don't think Meek Mill practiced the old saying: "think before you speak" on this occasion, but hay this is Hip-Hop which isn't much without a little BEEF. Plus we all have a new Drake track "Charged Up". Bet Drake's line:  ..."no woman ever had me star struck, or was able to tell me to get my bars up" will burn Meek.

Only hours after Drake Dropped the Meek Mill Diss track buck wild Rapper Daylyt jumped in on the diss too, renaming the track "Uncharged Up" was exclusively released on VladTV. This version is more entertaining with more punch lines; Drake- Uncharged Up ft Daylyt listen below:

Do you think Meek Mill will rebuttal, or stay silent?

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Public Enemy album titled: “Man Plans God Laughs” is now streaming on Spotifiy!!  

#NewVideo Drake- "Energy"  Updated: Aug. 21, 2015

Toronto's own Drake just dropped his video for "Energy" i had to double check if i had the right link, this video is major on creativity lots of intertwined visual shots, and times he portrays other public figures...including the Ken Barbie!! 

#RunUP 

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Canada Day Fireworks, Ash Bridges Beach, Toronto

By: Lyndsay Brown

Ash Bridges Bay Canada Day fireworks show in Toronto was packed with an estimated crowd of 30,000 people. The fireworks show started at 10pm on July 1, 2015 sharp the loud bangs of color where welcomed by the proud Canadian people with whistles, and awes!! After the show was over officials where clearing everyone out of the beach area where most of the crowd walked straight to woodbine subway station to avoid the traffic. It was another successful event in the City of Toronto; very pleased!! Above are some photos taken at the event, and below a video by my son ;) 

D THA SUSPECT- ‘Life of Sin’ Mixtape [Review]

By: Lyndsay brown

Intro Note:

Daniel Clause AKA D THA SUSPECT was my sons father we had many ups, and downs over the past fifth- teen years. Late 2013 into 2014 we were starting becoming friends again for the sake of our child; on Dec. 31, 2014 D THA SUSPECT was shot, and succumbed to his injuries.  I got my hands on his old mixtape Easter weekend 2015, and decided to keep his music alive by uploading it to YouTube at: www.youtube.com/hookedupb

Review:

D THA SUSPECT- ‘Life of Sin’ is a thirteen track mixtape with features from some of his fellow rappers/friends, I don’t know them all, but some features were from Notez and BULLE. The mixtape is an honest depiction of his struggles growing up as a kid, and becoming a young man/father.  D THA SUSPECT had a troubled childhood filled with pain. He exploited his tribulations in tracks numbers 3, 5, 9, and 10. Not only was this a form of creative release, he wanted to show others who may have had similar experiences they’re not alone. He also reflects how hard it was for him to be a street kid, stay alive, get money, and to be respected by his peers. All of this was no easy task at times he was angry, other times disappointed, most of the time motivated to prove himself to the world, coining the term “D THA SUSPECT, THE WOLRLD’S GREATEST”.

As I continue to write on my throat swells trying to hold back the tears of his side of the story of becoming a father, and not being able to see the children he cherished so much. His lyrics are powerful on tracks 9 many fathers may be able to relate.  D THE SUSPECT hook on track 9 goes like this: “you’ll never understand pain ‘till you lost your kids, I can’t quit, life is a bitch” then continues to say: “so listen to your Dad, ima give it to ya right, wanna show you all about the finer things in life, wanna teach you all about, what’s wrong from what’s right, but ya have to understand it doesn’t happen overnight, if it only took money I’d pay any price”. Track 10 is chilling with a soft melody he used to talk about a drug problem he later overcame, he explains: “check it, if you listen to the way the way that I spit, barbaric man, in lamin’ terms you wouldn’t stand a great chance, addiction took’en over the life of a great man, I’m fallin’ down, cant sick to the laid plans, here I go again another day has started, cant escape the reach of the demon”.    I believe this was an underrated ‘tape considering the honesty, the unmistakable talent in his voice, and lyrics combined.

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BEASTMODE (BATTLE RAP LEAGUE), D THA SUSPECT (R.I.P)- CHARITY EVENT!! [REVIEW]

Written by: Lyndsay Brown

Background Info:

Daniel Nickolas Clause AKA D THA SUSPECT (33) was taken from this planet on Dec. 31, 2014, as he fit the description of a person that apparently robbed a TTC toll booth moments before his tragic death.  The loss of Daniel left an impact on everyone who knew him.  Daniel was a rapper well known for his love of music, and battle rap. Most notably he was a winning battle rapper on BeastMode a Battle Rap League based in Toronto & New York; Daniel also battled on KOTD Battle Rap League in Toronto. His rap name was D THA SUSPECT (DTS for short), he gave inspiration to many people to use music as a therapy. Most of all, everyone who knew Daniel knew that he loved his kids dearly. The BeastMode Team held a two day Battle Rap Charity event for Daniel’s family on June 5^th & 6^th 2015.

Event Review:

D THA SUSPECT (two day) event presented by BeastMode Battles a charity which all proceeds from the event going to DTS family.  The event was held at Bar & Billiards Paradise in Toronto with a capacity of 150 people. D THA SUSPECTs family, friends, Family friends, fellow battle rappers, and supporters all came out to the event. Family members were selling T-shirts with DTS face on it that many people wore during the event, there was free popcorn, a collage with pictures of DTS was hanging on the wall, and special surprises for the DTS son taboot! The environment was loving, and filled with excitement as the show was crowded with anticipation for the battles.

The first three battles I missed, although one  those battles in particular stood out to a lot of people as I just kept hearing about FN Scrubs battle who dedicated his entire third round to Daniel, and his kids sending chills through the room. All the battles where intense many mentioning DTS memories, one battle rapper who i believe was OZ reminisced about a time where DTS used his car, filling the room an extra haraw. Moving forward, the Title Match between Reeality (Belt holder), and Jayyohh was the feature of day one. Reeality & Jayyohh went hard against each other punch line after punch line, a close battle, but in the end the title belt stayed in the hands of Reeality! If you don’t think things could get better day two had more special plans in store.

Day two of the D THA SUSPECT rap battle event was during the day, and there were a couple notable special guest appearances that gave the event an extra kick. DTS oldest son came to appreciate what his father loved to do when he wasn’t with him. Special visit from KOTD rep. came to show respect as DTS also appeared in their rap battle events in the past bringing with them a pair of KOTD shoes for DTS son!! Last, but not least a guest flew in all the way from Texas USA to battle in the Main Event against Step Easy his name: Erik Foreman. All these appearances brought a mixture of emotions adding extra feeling of unity to the battle rap game on this day at least. 

Reactions from the crowd where: tears, laughs and the usual aggression rap battles are known for. One highly talked about battle was BULLE (DTS friend) who showed up with a eulogy type first round, and his heart on his sleeve that went up against Casper TDG who had a war ready attitude for the battle. Further, laughs erupted in a several battles like the “Slap Battle”; and where gimmicks where pulled out for example in one battle tight pants were dashed on the floor, and in another a homemade letter. The Main Event Match finished the day, and this battle Erik foreman used his calm demeanor, and grime intellect, making his competitor Step Easy choke at one point.

To see the action yourself go to: WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/BEASTMODEBATTLESGOLD to watch the footage.  Big up the Host (@JonnyJibbz) of the event, the venue, the whole BeastMode team, and props to DTS son who did some Co-Hosting on day two. Congrats to Reeality winning the Title Match maintaining his status as champ. Much respect to all battle rappers who made an extra effort to show love to DTS family!!

Event photo album by: HOOKEDUPB MAG

Available on the website, and on the HOOKEDUPB MAG Facebook account

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On Facebook the day after Puff Daddy AKA Diddy, Bad Boy Team shut ish down at the BET Awards 2015 he posted a SoundCloud link to a funky song that your body can’t resist to move with, featuring Pharrell called: “Finna Get Loose”!!

You can get it for your play list at Apple Music.

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#BattleRap #BeastMode #DTHASUSPECT