Can A Rapper Win A Trip From The Honey Jam Contest?
- wwetvsports21
- Aug 7, 2015
- 4 min read
(WWETV) Toronto is a city chockful of musical talent with a rich history of creative artistry from the likes of current hip hop darling Drake, but anyone who knows the city knows the first urban artist to really put it down was a female MC by the name of Michie Mee.
She was signed to an American label with First Priority/Atlantic Records in 1988. She was born in Jamaica before moving to Toronto. She was a teenage sensation with a West Indian appeal that represented the diverse cultures in the city. (STAY TUNED FOR FORTHCOMING TORONTO NOW OR NEVER DOCUMENTARY FOR MORE HISTORY)
Although she made new ground for not only women in Canada, but the hip hop genre in general the scene did not advance as much as her United States counterparts such as MC Lyte and Queen Latifah. Rather, the Toronto music scene received a snail's pace toward evolving for urban artists in the 1990's.
It was especially bad for female artists, but in 1995 there was an idea by Ebonnie Rowe that was implemented through PhemPhat Entertainment Group to change all of this with the birth of Honey Jam which originally was only going to be a one night event. Here we are 20 years later after having such talented artists as Nelly Furtado, Jully Black, Reema Major, and Melanie Durrant showcased, the event is bigger and better than ever.
This year's event takes place at The Mod Club located at 722 College Street West in Toronto. A major appeal for artists participating this year includes the winner getting a chance to perform in Barbados. One of the contestants this year is Little T who recently signed with Toronto r & b artist The Weeknd's entertainment lawyer Shander Shalinsky of "Millions In The Sky" management.
As many minorities in the city of Toronto, Little T's father arrived here from Barbados and became the pioneer of hip hop for Toronto and even Canada with his Sunshine Sound Crew which led the way for the likes of Maestro Fresh Wes and Michie Mee.
We have covered her latest news and videos ("Shame" shot by website production team TopShot Pictures) elsewhere on the site and decided to get an exclusive interview with her about being apart of Honey Jam 2015.
WWETV: How do you feel about competing and possibly winning a trip to Barbados at this year's Honey Jam concert?
Little T: Well, first I would like to say thank you to the auditioning comittee for having me advance to the final event. It is an honour and priviledge that I plan to take full advantage of. From things I heard a rapper has never won anything of this magnitude at the event. If they have I want to be the first and if not I want to be the first teenager at least.
WWETV: That's interesting that a rapper has never won the event. This year one of the perks the lucky winner gets is an opportunity to perform in Barbados. Have you ever been there before or performed internationally?
Little T: I have never performed in front of an international crowd although I got facebook fans from different parts of the world such as Africa. If I win this year's event it will be a dream come true to perform in Barbados. You see my father Top Secret aka Ryan Lord who many know as a pioneer for Toronto hip hop actually was born in Barbados.
The island is actually apart of my roots as I was told by family members that Rihanna, who is one of my favorite artists actually lived near my father's childhood home that he grew up in Durham near Grazzettes. She ended up there due to her house back home getting flooded. So you see me getting the chance to see the birthplace of my father and perform for my people would be a blessing and a dream come true.
WWETV: Do yu feel any extra pressure or stress over having your dream to travel to Barbados to perform?
Little T: There is some pressure, but I don't stress over it. I have been in this position before. I recently won a competition to do a collaboration with Sean Kingston. I hear that the single will be tied into the Canadian national election. So hopefully you will hear that soon.
WWETV: We recently had you in a photo op with legendary hip hop manager Steve Lobel. A man who has managed such huge acts as Bone Thugs 'N Harmony and Common. Can you tell us how that all came about?
Little T: That credit all goes to Honey Jam as this year's participants got the opportunity to attend Drake's OVO Fest's music summit. You may see me with another big player in the industry this weekend with a possible photo op with Janelle Monae August 9th as apart of Panamania Live at Nathan Phillips Square.
WWETV: Any parting words for our WWETV visitors?
Little T: I would love if everyone would come out for the Honey Jam event. It's a collection of talented females who all just want the opportunity to live their dreams. You will have a fun time seeing the different styles of artists who all bring something different to the stage. It will be an entertaining night and you never know you may see the next big thing such as Nelly Furtado or Jully Black right before your eyes.
WWETV: Well we wish you good luck with your aspiration to become the first rapper to win the competition in the event's long and storied history. We also wish good luck to all the contestants.
So we ask you our readers the question, can a rapper finally win the competition? Will the event turn a a different path and follow Toronto's roots with having a female teenage rapper become the next face of Honey Jam? Remember, at the beginning of the article we stated the root of all urban music history in the city of Toronto belongs to a woman. None other than Michie Mee who has given her support of the event in the past.
We say stay tuned to this website or attend the event live to see what transpires on Thursday August 13, 2015!
Follow Little T on her social networks!
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