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Dive into the Eclectic Soundscape of Toronto’s XOCÔ’s ‘Capoeira Blues’ Celebrating Brazil’s North East Rich Heritage

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Experience the innovative Fusion of Psychedelic Rock, Blues, and Funk with Traditional Percussion and MPB Música Popular Brasileira of “Capoeira Blues,” the second single from the self-titled album by the internationally acclaimed artist Mestre Sérgio Xocolate, also known as XOCÔ, out now on Lulaworld Records, This musical odyssey transcends boundaries, weaving together the rich heritage of the Brazilian people.

From Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, XOCÔ embarks on a mission with the XOCÔ project to bridge cultural and musical gaps. Initiated in South America and on the shores of Turtle Island South and flourishing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, “XOCÔ” is not just an album but a cultural exchange, a musical journey, and an homage to XOCÔ’s Afro Indigenous heritage.

As a master teacher of Traditional Capoeira, XOCÔ invites listeners on a transformative experience, urging respect for Indigenous cultures, honouring Black heritage, preserving Mother Earth, and fostering unity. “Capoeira Blues” promises an auditory adventure that merges Afro Indigenous Brazilian rhythms with soulful and electric arrangements.

Known for crafting his compositions on the streetcars of Toronto, XOCÔ injects his original pieces with a unique blend of poetry, politics, and spirituality. In “Capoeira Blues,” he channels new life into powerful inherited rhythms, offering an expressive and electric testament to his inventiveness.

The roots of “Capoeira Blues” lie in the Ladainha-style song, penned when just 18, inspired by the crashing waves atop a coração de nego tree. This dynamic composition, sung in Capoeira Rodas worldwide, now undergoes a remarkable rebirth, enriched by a haunting Berimbau paying homage to Afro Indigenous ancestors.

Internationally recognized for his music, culture, and education contributions, XOCÔ embodies the spirit of preserving Afro Indigenous Brazilian heritage while forging new musical frontiers. The accompanying music video for “Capoeira Blues” pays tribute to XOCÔ’s mother, “Lulua,” with the added generational connection of featuring XOCÔ’s first child.

Immerse yourself in the blend of traditional and contemporary sounds, celebrating “Capoeira Blues” as an enthralling chapter within the “XOCÔ” album.

Synthetik Blonde Ignites Nostalgic Power Anthem ‘Dreams of You’ – Lead Single From Concept Album ‘PIECES’

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Rising Canadian pop-rock duo Synthetik Blonde returns with a fresh new track “Dreams of You,” an 80s-esque power anthem characterized by strong synths, slick electric guitar riffs, and heartfelt lyricism. The track is the first single from the pair’s recently released acclaimed sophomore LP PIECES, a concept album that takes a deep look at the complexities of the human condition while simultaneously rejecting conventional societal norms.

Loved by listeners and critics worldwide, PIECES was featured in the likes of The Vancouver Sun, Record World International, Regina Leader Post, Tinnitist, Cashbox Canada, and Canadian Beats, among others. Driven home by raw female vocals, “Dreams of You” is a track that dives headfirst into the dangerous, thrilling appeal of obsessive love — and the emotional fallout that stems from it.

“There are times in our lives when we fall in love and the thoughts, feelings, and desires for that person invade and occupy the entirety of the mind, even through sleep,” the duo says of the track. “And it can’t be turned off. When you’re falling in love, this is a welcomed experience for most, though for some it can be painful at times to love this deep.”

Synthetik Blonde first exploded onto the scene in 2021 and haven’t slowed down since. The past two years have seen a jam-packed schedule for the duo, who’ve been working around the clock and hitting the studio hard. The time put in has paid off: they’ve since released two full-length projects stacked with radio-ready alt-pop jams and are already gearing up in preparation for the release of their third album, Dark Side of Your Love, due out in 2024. Their work ethic and artistry has caught the attention of listeners and tastemakers alike — Synthetik Blonde were recently awarded Creative Saskatchewan’s Market & Export Development Grant, allowing them to film their first ever music video for “Dreams of You” with renown Saskatchewan filmmaker Aaron Sinclair.

Working alongside Sinclair, the duo put together a visual concept that captures the pure, unadulterated melodrama of classic 80s music videos and movies. Inspired by pop royalty Micheal Jackson, Bonnie Tyler, and Madonna, the resulting music video is both dreamy and kinetic, perfectly capturing the spirit of the song.

“Dreams of You” is a riveting, electric track from a charismatic new duo that speaks to the universal experience of the complex push-and-pull of romantic love.

Valentina Cherico’s Latest Single ‘Dance Until The Sunrise’: A Unifying Anthem Blending Disco and Modern Pop-Funk

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Cross-genre sensation Valentina Cherico unites everyone through the power of dance and music. Her latest single of the year, “Dance Until The Sunrise” is a formidable anthem that resonates with the masses on a widespread level. Unlocked now, Valentina continues to bloom within the pop/R&B genre.

This track was written and produced from the comfort of her home- with help from her father, Mickey Cherico. “Dance Until The Sunrise” embodies an integration of Disco with a modern Pop Funky feel. It is evident in the additional lead and backup vocals from the family band, Casanova, and solid production by The Vault Recording Studio in Pittsburgh.

Valentina elevates the fun record with a music video that, “shows a crowd of people dancing and having fun in a Studio 54 and Soul Train party setting.” She explains in detail, “At which point, Aliens from space CRASH the party. Everyone is terrified, and then the Aliens feel the Beat of the music and start to dance, signaling to everyone that, MUSIC IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE!!!”

The new single’s core message is coming together, connecting, and healing through the music. Valentina Cherico acclaims, “My hope is that my song will connect with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds… to all come together through the power and love of music and dance.”

With family roots planted in music, Valentina’s musical progression throughout the years has been motivating. The singer has worked with reputable producers in Pittsburgh and New York. To her big break at 16, when she wrote an original song alongside a Grammy-nominated music producer Roy Hamilton, III.

From that moment, Valentina’s musical career has never looked back. Currently, she is being streamed in over 89 countries through the US and Europe continents. Her single prior “Dance Until the Sunrise” – a ballad titled “Teach Me How To Love Again” gained over 20,000 across Spotify and other DSPs.

From the early years of her life, Valentina Cherico has been modifying her natural flair for acting by pursuing a career in musical theatre– where she was able to combine her musical talent with her passion for acting. Valentina’s music signature style draws influence from Selena Quintanilla, Whitney Houston, and Christina Aguilera.

Valentina’s primary music objective is “to create music that “moves, heals and lifts” people, the young entertainer’s ability to connect with her audience through her music is a God given gift.” In this new release, she asks the listener to “Get Up” and dance.

4-Time 2024 Maple Blues Award Nominee Brandon Isaak Releases Melancholic Single ‘What’s This World Coming To?’

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Born in Whitehorse, Yukon and now based in Vancouver Island, 4-time 2024 Maple Blues Award nominee Brandon Isaak offers another delightful melancholic single ‘What’s This World Coming To?’ from his new album One Step Closer, both out now.

Isaak’s ability to deliver a slow-burning blues epic that’s simple yet powerful with its slow drawl and composure, tugging on the heartstrings of his audience, is one of his unique talents. His musical style comprises old-world blues, with vintage notes and tones offering poetic and humourous lyrics dancing around an eclectic mix of root-style vocals, springy guitars and dirty harmonica.

Influences and sounds come from a cocktail of Taj Mahal, B.B. King and Lightnin’ Hopkins, making Isaak’s sound firmly noted in the blues-roots world. His showman presence has been finely carved over 35 years, taking his audiences on an emotional journey at every show. Engaging with audiences consistently leaves Isaak’s performances beaming and full of warmth, with a solid pull to return for another round of musical storytelling. Plus, new fans are created as they leave, singing catchy lines and humming new tunes thanks to Isaak’s memorable songs. With 8 countries across three continents and 13 European tours, Isaak is no stranger to reaching various audiences worldwide.

‘What’s This World Coming To?’ is a simple yet complex track, offering calm layers of bell-like slide guitars, chugging tremolo and the slow heartbeat of a drum. A simple electric piano and organ dance effortlessly in the background while Isaak’s vocals take centre stage. Telling a story of a crazy world where war, religion, politics, and the human condition are all at the forefront.

Isaak’s calm and gravelly vocal lines sit on top of ‘What’s This World Coming To?’, telling a tale of dark times and global division. His sad tone makes us stop and think for a moment before we continue relentlessly with our lives, often ignoring the world’s plight. Isaak swings in to gently remind us that we all live in this world together and need to look after one another. The song plays out as a wave of downbeat news reports take over the final moments of the new track.

‘There’s two kinds of people, doing right or doing wrong
Building bridges, or building walls
Oh, hard, hard times, and even Gods got the blues
Somebody please tell me; what’s this old world comin to?’

Isaak explains in his own words about his new track, “The way the world has been going as of late has been hard to watch. Wars, political insanity, division, religion and human rights have all been so hard to watch these days. It’s depressing, and I try hard to always find the positives in this crazy world we live in.

“That being said, one must create art, and art is a statement of our human condition. So, this song is a darker theme about modern life here on earth. This song took me about 20 min to write, and it seems whenever you write about the truth, it tends to fall straight onto the paper.”

It doesn’t just stop there for Isaak. He has earned four nominations at the 2024 Maple Blues Awards, making him a contender for Songwriter of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Recording/Producer of the Year. This is a testament to a successful and beautiful music career and Isaak’s undeniable talent.

Photo Gallery: Meshuggah with In Flames and Whitechapel at Toronto’s History

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All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X

Meshuggah
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In Flames
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TikTok Releases Most Popular Artists And Tracks Of 2023

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2023 was the year we learned a new life hack (or two!), laughed out loud – and couldn’t stop thinking about the Roman Empire. Their global community of over 1 billion people continues to come together to connect on TikTok, positively influencing culture and impacting lives.

From foolproof recipes to funny skits, throwback tracks and thriving small businesses, the TikTok community continued creating, connecting and celebrating authenticity on TikTok throughout 2023. In Canada, we learned how to pick the perfect watermelon, found “the keys to my beamer” and helped sell out the sweet treats from local small businesses.

“Year on TikTok 2023 is a way for us to honour some of the standout moments that have happened on TikTok throughout the year. It’s a window into stories that have inspired, entertained and educated over 1 billion people around the world. Thank you for another year of bringing joy to our community and sharing your creativity with us,” said Adam Presser, Head of Operations, TikTok.

In the last five years, TikTok has become the home for music discovery and place for artists at all stages in their journey, from emerging artists to global superstars. Today we celebrate the artists and tracks that shaped TikTok in 2023. This includes the top songs that soundtracked the year, the most viewed Canadian artists.

Join us as we stroll down memory lane and look back on an incredible year that saw us learning, laughing, inspiring, imagining, entertaining and exploring – as we scroll back to this year’s most memorable trends, creators and moments with our community.

SiriusXM Canada and MusiCounts Announce Community Fund for Canadian Youth

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SiriusXM Canada today announced a new partnership with MusiCounts, Canada’s leading music education charity to launch SiriusXM Soundwaves: A MusiCounts Community Fund. The program is the evolution of the MusiCounts Community Music Program and will help support youth music programs across Canada with grants of up to $20,000 for instruments, equipment and resources provided to community groups or not-for-profit organizations.

This initiative is consistent with SiriusXM Canada’s passion for promoting and elevating Canadian artists and emerging talent through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach.  SiriusXM Canada is a longstanding supporter of MusiCounts, having donated more than $2 million over the last 15 years, and through the fund will seek to raise awareness of the importance of music education across Canada, and to support and empower youth.

Kristy Fletcher, President of MusiCounts, shared her enthusiasm for this partnership. “Music has the power to transform the lives of young people, which is why the MusiCounts partnership with SiriusXM is so crucial. Through this partnership, we will be able to support music programs across Canada, ensuring kids who need it most have access to music-making in their communities.

The fund strives to make music education at the community level accessible to youth in need, who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to learn to make music. Community programs often satisfy children’s unique needs: cultural representation and celebration, music therapy, language preservation, and more. As funding for music programs continues to decrease across the country, this partnership will help bridge gaps, create opportunities, and make music more accessible to young people across the country.

To learn more about SiriusXM and MusiCounts’ partnership, please visit www.siriusxm.ca/musicounts. A special thanks to Long & McQuade Musical Instruments.

SiriusXM Canada Joins Toronto Raptors As Official Audio Music Streaming Partner In Multi-Year Deal

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Today, SiriusXM Canada and the Toronto Raptors proudly announced a new multi-year partnership, with SiriusXM Canada as the official audio music streaming partner. The two will be joining forces to bring fans the most exciting in-game entertainment experience yet, with SiriusXM bringing new Halftime Shows, a DJ Duel, Warm-Up Playlists, gamified in-app integrations and more.

The new partnership comes on the heels of introducing the world to the next generation of SiriusXM, including a refreshed brand platform and a new SiriusXM Streaming app, available across North America on December 14. The new brand, set to welcome a new generation of listeners, will officially debut at tonight’s Raptors game when the team takes on the Boston Celtics, and Canadian singer-songwriter Rêve will take to the court for the first-ever SiriusXM Halftime Show. Fans will be in for a special experience as one of Canada’s buzziest up-and-comers performs songs from her debut album Saturn Return.

“Our new partnership with SiriusXM Canada taps into the authentic intersection of sports and music to move our fans,” said Jordan Vader, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships, MLSE. “From getting game-ready in-arena with the new Raptors Warm-Up Playlist to taking the court virtually in our in-app arcade game, the Raptors are committed to delivering partnerships to our fans that enhance their game experience in new and unique ways and the partnership with SiriusXM Canada is an incredible way that we are able to deliver on that promise.”

“Partnering with the Raptors to reach new audiences and bring the best music and sports moments together is going create unforgettable experiences for fans and truly bring them closer to what they love,” said Rob Keen, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “We’re so excited to activate in and out of the stadium in unique ways that only we can, while also providing a new platform for some of Canada’s hottest emerging artists to perform.”

The partnership will also come to life through a new branded arcade game in which fans will be able to access and play through the Raptors official mobile app, as well as a state-of-the-art projection game, with more details on the ground-breaking technology to be released later this year. SiriusXM will also present the Raptors Warm-up Playlist at every home game this season.

SiriusXM subscribers can follow all the latest news on SiriusXM NBA Radio (channel 86 and on the SiriusXM app) and get access to live broadcasts of every NBA game through the postseason and The Finals, including every Toronto Raptors game. For more information on all the programming that SiriusXM offers, and all the ways subscribers can listen, visit www.SiriusXM.ca.

Busta Rhymes Announces Massive 2024 North American Headlining Tour In Support Of Blockbusta!

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Renowned for unforgettable, high-energy knockout performances, 12-time GRAMMY® Award nominee and one of the most influential rappers of all time Busta Rhymes will launch a massive North American headline tour in 2024! Produced by The Conglomerate Entertainment and Live Nation, this will be the first headlining run in support of his acclaimed new full-length offering, BLOCKBUSTA, out now. This jaunt kicks off on March 13 at The Masonic in San Francisco, CA, rolls through major markets coast-to-coast for five weeks, and concludes on April 21 with a homecoming at Brooklyn Paramount in Brooklyn, NY. Busta will be joined by a special guest in select cities – stay tuned to his socials for more.

It maintains his momentum from a triumphant turn supporting 50 Cent this year on the historic sold out global Final Lap Tour. As always, expect a supernova-level set night after night from Busta as he delivers earth-shaking classics and choice cuts from BLOCKBUSTA!

Busta notably Executive Produced the album alongside legendary heavyweights, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, and Swizz Beatz. It boasts a bevy of bangers, including the latest single “OK” [feat. Young Thug], “LUXURY LIFE” [feat. Coi Leray], and “Beach Ball” [feat. BIA].

Busta Rhymes persists and perseveres as one of history’s most indomitable, impactful, and influential rappers. His patented tongue-twisting flow and lyrical fireworks changed the art form, flooding the culture with speed and begging it to maintain pace. He has garnered a staggering 12 GRAMMY® Award nominations, sold over 10 million albums worldwide, and delivered seven Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200. Dubbed “the greatest performer of all time” by JAY-Z and “the James Brown of hip-hop” by Phife Dawg, he notably made it from the humblest of beginnings in East Flatbush Brooklyn, all the way to the White House visiting with President Barack Obama. In retrospect, Pitchfork hailed the seminal When Disaster Strikes… as “the turning point, the moment Busta Rhymes became the Joker of the deck that got to stay in the game.” He is a rare force of nature who started off with Leaders of the New School and has collaborated with everyone from Dr. Dre, Janet Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Mariah Carey to Dave Chappelle, Ozzy Osbourne, and Chris Rock. Esteemed outlets such as Billboard, Vibe, and The Source placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of All Time, while MTV has called him “one of hip-hop’s greatest visual artists.” BET Jams crowned Busta’s “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” as the “Greatest Hip-Hop Video of All-Time.” As an accomplished actor, Busta’s diverse career filmography spans the acclaimed “Higher Learning,” “Narc,” and “Finding Forrester.” His animated hits include The Rugrats Movie and blockbusters such as Shaft and Halloween: Resurrection. Busta now launches the next phase with brand new self-produced music Executive Produced by Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, and Swizz Beatz via Busta’s label, The Conglomerate ENT. Distributed by Epic Records for the summer of 2023. He is also the 2023 BET Icon/Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The game is still just trying to catch up to this Icon.

BLOCKBUSTA 2024 TOUR DATES
3/13 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
3/15 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium
3/16 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
3/17 San Diego, CA SOMA
3/19 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
3/20 Phoenix, AZ The Van Buren
3/22 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
3/24 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom
3/26 Austin, TX Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
3/28 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall
3/30 Atlanta, GA Coca Cola Roxy
4/1 Orlando, FL House of Blues
4/2 Miami Beach, FL Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theater
4/4 Raleigh, NC The Ritz
4/5 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore Charlotte
4/7 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore Philadelphia
4/8 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore Silver Spring
4/9 Boston, MA House of Blues
4/11 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit
4/12 Toronto, ON HISTORY
4/14 Chicago, IL Radius Chicago
4/17 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works
4/18 Cincinnati, OH The Andrew J. Bradley Music Center
4/21 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount

The Party Continues – International Superstars Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin & Pitbull Expand ‘The Trilogy Tour’ Into 2024

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As they continue to sell out shows across North America, the three multigenerational global powerhouses Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull are extending their one-of-a-kind arena party – The Trilogy Tour – into 2024 with 18 new shows across North America. New cities that will experience three unique headlining sets from each artist include Denver, CO; Austin, TX; Toronto, ON; Nashville, TN; Atlanta, GA and many more. Full routing and ticketing information are available below. Fans can expect an unforgettable night of music on the Live Nation produced tour as the megastars deliver an electrifying mix of their biggest career-spanning hits with influences of reggaeton, salsa pop, dance, and electronic music, backed by world-class production and state-of-the-art visuals.

The Trilogy Tour leg 1 garnered incredible reviews of the performances with USA TODAY noting at the tour kickoff, “As trilogies go, the combination of Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull is a robust one. The three Latin pop stars came equipped with their individual charisma and a heap of hits during a four-hour night.”The Oakland Press remarked the trio “reminded an arena full of screaming, enthralled fans just how potent they are with a buoyant, bilingual celebration across three explosive performances.”

In Detroit, MLive declared “The “Motor City” was one big fiesta with a trio of Spanish and Latin superstars.” Boston.com celebrated their performance stating “the three luminaries of Latin pop embarked on a night of celebration sparked by their individual charisma and plethora of chart-topping hits. In the realm of trilogies, this one proved fruitful in atmosphere and execution, avoiding any repetition in the four-hour extravaganza.”

JUST ADDED – 2024 DATES:
Tue Jan 30 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
Wed Jan 31 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Fri Feb 2 – Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena
Sat Feb 03 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
Thu Feb 08 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
Fri Feb 09 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Sat Feb 10 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Tue Feb 13 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Fri Feb 16 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Sat Feb 17 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Thu Feb 22 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Fri Feb 23 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Wed Feb 28 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Thu Feb 29 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
Sat Mar 02 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Sun Mar 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Fri Mar 08 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
Sun Mar 10 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena

Previously announced and on sale now – 2023 DATES:
Fri Nov 17 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Sat Nov 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Sun Nov 19 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
Fri Nov 24 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
Sat Nov 25 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Thu Nov 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Fri Dec 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Wed Dec 06 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
Fri Dec 08 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sun Dec 10 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena