European venues she have played in include Ministry Of Sound, Scala, Palm Beach Mayfair, Colony Casino, Esporta Hotel Group Nigeria, Blind Spot Bar at St Martins Lane Hotel, Century Club Soho, Oxo Tower, Grays Inn, Shoreditch Platform, Canary Wharf Fashion Show to name a few…

She spearheaded initiatives both corporate and celebrity, such as Ikea’s Toronto expansion, the SportingLife x Nobis launch with actor Simu Liu, and the Canadian launch of Alicia Keys’ Keys Soulcare brand, before hosting the singer’s private afterparty at Hotel X.

Name:

Martina Bosede

Genre:

House / Afrobeats / Pop

Founded:

2018

# of Albums:

I have just released my first EP, LP is in the works

Latest Single:

M.O.V.E

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Janet Jackson

Favourite musician now:

Beyonce

Guilty pleasure song:

Eddie Murphy – Party All The Time

Live show ritual:

Sometimes before I do a DJ performance, I’ll have a herbal tea to calm my mind and settle in for the show

Favourite local musician:

4Korners

EP or LP?

EP

Early bird or night owl?

A bit of both

Road or studio?

Road

Any shows or albums coming up?

Just released my first single called M.O.V.E and I’m currently working on the follow-up single

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

***

Rapid Fire Toronto Qs

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Ozzys Burguers

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Queens Quay

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

High Park

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

History

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Long and McQuade

The post “Five Minutes With” Toronto-based Irish DJ Martina Bosede appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Listening to the main inventor of Afrobeats, Fela Kuti and his band Africa 70, made you want to reflect on societal issues, and ultimately save the world. But the groovy blend of West African highlife, American jazz and soul will make you want to get up and dance all day. Inspired by the Black resistance movements he witnessed in Ghana and the U.S., Fela Kuti cultivated a symbolic path for Afrobeat as a Nigerian human rights activist and musician.

It is no wonder why his legacy, his artistic family circle remains interminable. It is also not surprising that Afrobeats has crossed over into the wider pop culture. More than ever, the world is hopping on the bandwagon of Afrobeats. With Afrobeats luminaries like Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Falz, Burna Boy, Simi, Yemi Alade receiving international accolades, the genre continues to grow rapidly.

Deeply rooted in American music, Afrobeats has gained singular approbation for its fun-loving and beat-gripping sound. People all over the world have become enchanted by local dialects and Pidgin English originating from West Africa. Think about the historic 2021 roving song of the summer, “Essence” by Wizkid and Tems. The breakthrough single became a national anthem globally and was certified gold in the U.S. Even American stars like Snoop Dogg and Kylie Jenner couldn’t get enough of the rhythmic song.

Another is the pervasive touch of Afrobeats artists on social media, particularly TikTok. In 2022, CKay’s “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” and party-rock Peru by fellow Nigerian Fireboy DML, reached dandy heights on TikTok, and made waves as fan favourites around the world. Peru ended up reaching No 2 on the UK singles chart, thanks to a remix featuring Ed Sheeran.

Afro-rave artist Rema, Dumebi song garnered more than 56m streams on Spotify in 2019. But before all these superhuman milestones from Afrobeats artists, Don Jazzy, 9ice, 2Baba, Fuse ODG, and P-Square have been credited as the earliest pioneers. D’banj especially is known to have played a giant role in its globalization due to his summer hit “Oliver Twist”. In 2011, he also made history when he signed to Kanye West’s label, G.O.O.D. Music. Likewise, Tiwa Savage followed in his footsteps by signing a management and publishing deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2016.

Memorable collaborations have also solidified Afrobeats and its sub-genres. Beyonce featuring Wizkid in  Brown Skin Girl in her Deluxe Edition Album, “The Lion King: The Gift” was just one-of-a-kind. Madonna, the undoubted Queen of pop recently had to get a taste of the genre by releasing a remix of her 1998 single Frozen with Fireboy DML. As Afrobeats music evolves and gains global prominence, it is becoming a major exporter of popular culture to the world.

We can say that Afrobeats is pleasurable, soothing and improves our wellbeing just like any other music. There is no stopping the humanizing movement. Again, Burna Boy became the first Nigerian artist to headline a sold-out concert at the legendary New York Madison Square Garden this April. Likewise, Afro-pop legend Wizkid will headline the Rolling Loud hip-hop mega festival at Ontario Place in September.

Afrobeats is inherently tied to African roots, but its unique tunes have succeeded in modernizing our world. It has reinforced social bonds. Arguably, the genre has further attitudinized the ingenuity emerging from Africa, and the African diaspora. Afrobeats is a percussion-driven industry, that brings everyone to the dancefloor, at diverse gatherings, and even in isolation.

Its healing sound makes you want to vibe to it and love even more. The unifying sound of the future is so present. And Afrobeats is its name. Now lined up with top genres like Rock, Reggaeton, Country, K-Pop and others, we can certainly expect more groundbreaking collaborations from all sides.

The post Afrobeats Is The New Religion – Get on Board appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Latest Video: PARACHUTE

Bio

John Orpheus is a Trini Troubadour and Pan-African poet whose musical journey has taken him from the Trinidad bush, to blues and folk festivals across Canada, to some of the biggest rock and roll stages in the world. Born and raised in the town of New Grant, South-Central Trinidad, J.O. grew up singing in Pentecostal and Shango Baptist churches. After attending the famed Presentation College in the same year as legendary Soca singer Machel Montano, he immigrated to Canada where he soon became fully immersed in the music life.
His current musical iteration combines hip-hop swagger, Afrobeats energy and dancehall charisma to create a sound built on big catchy hooks, African rhythms and Caribbean twang. John, along with his musical partner, DJ/drummer Sarah Jane Riegler, are known for rabble-rousing live shows filled with audience participation, chanting and impromptu dance offs feel more like Caribana road parties than concerts. As J.O. likes to declare: “AH SO WE DO IT!”

In 2017, the crew dropped three mixtapes in seven months, each built on the themes of Pan-Africanism, intersectional feminism and a fashion forward aesthetic: the downtempo manifesto Goldchain Hennessey, the Carnival fete-infused Bacchanal and the Canada/Nigeria/Ghana collaboration Black Star Rising. Each mixtape was launched with a successful video and single featuring collaborations with Toronto’s freshest dancers and videographers – “Leanin”, “Jiggy AF” and “Wey Ya Call Dat Ting?”

Latest Single:

Parachute (available on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music)

Favourite Restaurant:

Rhum Corner (Dundas West)

Favourite band as a teenager:

Outkast

Favourite band now:

Janelle Monae

Guilty Pleasure Song:

Kanye West – All Mine

Live Show Ritual:

Crystals, Invoking the Gods and a corny group hug with the band

Favourite local artist:

Dynesti Williams

Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?

SUPERFOOD!!

Queen or College St?

COLLEGE – Dat mah hood!

Trinity Bellwoods or Highpark, Riverdale or Kew Gardens?

RIVERDALE – I run 8 km daily and my route goes right through there. Plus I love Goats more than people.

EP or LP?

Mixtape dawg

Early bird or night owl?

I can get em both. I don’t waana choose

Road or studio?

See previous answer

Swiss Chalet or Roti?

I’m a Trini so…Roti. ROTI. ROTI!

Where can we follow you?

We kick it at the Art Square Gallery you can follow us around there if you like…oh..you mean online? IG: @johnorpheus @hausorpheus @afrohausto Twitter: @john_orpheus Snapchat: @johnorpheus

Any upcoming shows or releases?

GOATLIFE – mixtape release at Luanda House on Bloor West June 29th. REACH!

RSVP
Tickets

The post “Five Minutes With” Toronto Afrobeats / Hip Hop Artist John Orpheus appeared first on Toronto Guardian.