At some point last year, MJMagazine started to hear about Canadian urban artist, Tha Vor. He was first introduced to us through social media but shortly thereafter we were contacted by his manager and so got more exposed to him. The thing that stood out the most about Tha Vor was his conscious lyrics which we heard more so in his hip-hop expressions verses his dancehall songs. We reached out to him a couple weeks ago and requested an interview so that we can get an understanding of his lyrical depth.

This is how it went down.

MJMagazine: Some people seem to be a bit confused about what you represent as you seem to touch on everything in your music. Please let the masses know exactly what Tha Vor music is all about

Tha Vor: My music reflects life the choices the consequences the good the bad the struggles upliftment positivity.

MJMagazine: The Rastafarian community in Jamaica really loves your track “King of glory”. Can you tell us your state of mind when you did that song?

Tha Vor: Positive !!! up in the geez Language of Adam  way up in the mystic and understanding the history of the bible and the worlds history and that  there was this one man that came into the earth and fulfilled the bible exactly to every  word and so I  decided to drop the real truth on them  from there!

MJMagazine: Listening to your music we get the sense that you do conscious hip-hop but we’ve only heard one conscious reggae song from you. When it comes to reggae and dancehall you seem to lean more towards the hype as oppose to positive messages. Why is that?

Tha Vor: In the reggae music I’ve done “times so dread “”king of glory “”mad mad” power of a woman ” even In the song “raw “I’m always speaking on the reality staying true to what life teaches me ..she say she nuh want no artificial she want it natural raw the truth straight no additives and  even as I touch on a topic like that your  mother your children can still listen to it because in my music it ain’t often that you need to censor my words but yea always militant positive always real. You see we didn’t just come to speak to the righteous and them who already know. Plus some life lessons can be learned without directly teaching and my words don’t come without a msg and a meaning you just have to listen.

MJMagazine: Will you continue to do both Reggae and hip-hop and if so what exactly can your fans expect from you as it relates to the lyrical content?

Tha Vor: Yes of course music is my expression my mission I won’t stop either one and lyrically u can expect a balance no cliche ting

MJMagazine: What is music industry like in Canada for up and coming artists?

Tha Vor: I can’t speak for all of Canada but In Toronto Its growing for sure especially in hip hop certain artist have made it easier for other artist because they have made a name in the industry so Toronto definitely on the map .They got community radio stations playing artist most times but shows is another thing so yea it’s still a struggle so you got to hustle and grind hard and I feel success is in everyone grasp you just got to keep reaching for it.

MJMagazine: What has been your best experience in the music so far?

Tha Vor: So far it would be opening up for the legendary rap group onyx yes that show was MADD the crowd went crazy I had them beating the walls all the security  but yea that’s one of them

MJMagazine: What has been your worst experience in music so far?

Tha vor: I would say going to Jamaica in 2013 and having the video medley cancelled for the sneak preview riddim that I did “times so dread” on.

THA VOR SOCIAL MEDIA

https://twitter.com/THAVOR

https://www.facebook.com/thavor1

http://soundvolution.com/thavor/

On June 8^th MJMagazine did an article about Lady Saw’s recent release on the John John label for the track entitled “ask dem artist”. In the article MJMagazine asked if Lady Saw had gone too far as the record is loaded with explicits and heavy sexual content.

After seeing the story, Lady Saw responded to MJMagazine on twitter saying “i allowed others to drag me down that path with them N don’t want to see a replay of it with the males the business is global.” She also addressed a section of the article which asked about her returning to Christianity. To that she said this, “I can answer that i almost gave my life to Christ n will still do so when the time is right secondly sting had was to be done.”

Persons are encouraged to read the article and listen to the controversial song here: https://mariajackson27magazine.wordpress.com/2014/06/08/has-lady-saw-gone-too-far/

DJ Rhome, the CEO and owner of Rhome Records (Jamaica) presents the Life Triangle Riddim. This is an upbeat reggae compilation which features the likes of Khago, Karamanti D’Koncep and others. Life Triangle Riddim was made available to music industry insiders on June 5^th but the official release date is July 1^st. Distribution is being handled by 21 Hapilos.

TRACK LISTING

Khago – like everyday
D’Koncep – Jah know best
Karamanti – hold on
Unstoppable Fyah – Jah blessings
Leyavo – am sorry
DJ Rhome – work hard
Scottish Dora – red eye

Listen to a medley mix of the Life Triangle Riddim:

Although religion is perceived as a force for good, in reality it has been used to orchestrate more evil than good. The bane of religion has been the pain it has offered humanity, through its creation of a safe haven for intolerance, animosity and confusion.

The belief in divinity is innate to mankind yet the existence of a sole faith in any given community is so unlikely to find. This is because the official doctrine and practice of beliefs offered by religious authorities do not always agree with privately held beliefs of some members in a particular religion, hence creating a state of confusion.

Typical of the reality speaker to add her voice to topical issues, Karamanti found it necessary to educate her family, friends and fans in a song on religion. Produced for RHOME RECORDS on the LIFE TRIANGLE RIDDIM and herein attached, hear “Hold On”.

Hold on to your faith, tolerate do not hate; and with all religion relate!

Article by: Adokwei Andrew Addo

We all heard reports of Lady Saw giving her life to Christ in recent years. She seemed to have toned down the dirty lyrics and even seemed to be more responsible in her live performances. This was all until her recent clash at Sting 2013 in which she went at her colleague, Macka Diamond. Many persons thought that Lady Saw was too vulgar in the clash and said some things that were not necessary.

If persons thought that she was too vulgar in her Sting performance we here at MJMagazine are curious to hear what they are now saying about her latest single, “ask dem artist” on the John John Label. In it, Lady Saw seems to have gone right back to where she started, she is raw, raunchy and arguably out of order.

You be the judge and decide whether or not Lady Saw has gone too far, have a listen:

Following a few years of constant harassment from the homosexual, lesbian and transgender community, members of the Reggae and Dancehall industry are finally retaliating. After recently protesting against her performance in New York and pressuring the promoters to remove her from the show, Queen Ifrica did an interview on the popular, Jamaica based TV show, Onstage in which she outlines her position on the topic.

Since the airing of the interview other Jamaican music insiders (artists, promoters, disc-jockeys etc.) have now decided to take a real stand against the promoters of sodomy and lesbianism by publicly celebrating their heterosexuality and encouraging their supporters to do the same.

Queen Ifrica’s interview Onstage:

Badu’s debut album, Baduizm, exploded onto the music scene in 1997 with soulful hits such as “On & On,” “Next Lifetime” and “Appletree.” The album marked a shift in the music of its time and began what was labeled a “neo-soul” movement. Baduizm received critical acclaim and won Badu two Grammy Awards, for best female R&B vocal performance and best R&B album.

Badu released her second LP, Live, later that year. During the recording, Badu was pregnant with her first child, son Seven Sirius, whose father is legendary Outkast artist André 3000. The album went double platinum, and Badu’s unmatchable talent was firmly established with the album’s breakout song, “Tyrone,” which was completely improvised on stage.

In 1999, Badu collaborated with the distinguished hip-hop group the Roots to create the song “You Got Me.” Badu struck Grammy gold yet again with the song, taking home the trophy for best rap performance by a duo or group. That same year, she made her big-screen debut, portraying the heartbreaking, tortured character Rose Rose in The Cider House Rules.

Badu’s third album, Mama’s Gun, was released in 2000. She also contributed to the soundtrack of the Spike Lee film Bamboozled. She toured throughout the next few years, on her “Frustrated Artist Tour,” and in 2003 she released Worldwide Underground, a somewhat experimental album that featured some of hip-hop’s finest. The song “Love of My Life Worldwide” features Angie Stone, Queen Latifah and Bahamadia, and once again won Badu a Grammy, this time for best R&B song.

Badu’s debut album, Baduizm, exploded onto the music scene in 1997 with soulful hits such as “On & On,” “Next Lifetime” and “Appletree.” The album marked a shift in the music of its time and began what was labeled a “neo-soul” movement. Baduizm received critical acclaim and won Badu two Grammy Awards, for best female R&B vocal performance and best R&B album.

Badu released her second LP, Live, later that year. During the recording, Badu was pregnant with her first child, son Seven Sirius, whose father is legendary Outkast artist André 3000. The album went double platinum, and Badu’s unmatchable talent was firmly established with the album’s breakout song, “Tyrone,” which was completely improvised on stage.

In 1999, Badu collaborated with the distinguished hip-hop group the Roots to create the song “You Got Me.” Badu struck Grammy gold yet again with the song, taking home the trophy for best rap performance by a duo or group. That same year, she made her big-screen debut, portraying the heartbreaking, tortured character Rose Rose in The Cider House Rules.

Badu’s third album, Mama’s Gun, was released in 2000. She also contributed to the soundtrack of the Spike Lee film Bamboozled. She toured throughout the next few years, on her “Frustrated Artist Tour,” and in 2003 she released Worldwide Underground, a somewhat experimental album that featured some of hip-hop’s finest. The song “Love of My Life Worldwide” features Angie Stone, Queen Latifah and Bahamadia, and once again won Badu a Grammy, this time for best R&B song.