This Broken Mixtape

To quote Nia Long in Love Jones, Kazeem Kuteyi is something of "a Renaissance Black Man".

As a DJ, promoter, creative director, photographer, and cultural curator, Kazeem is perhaps best known as the co-founder of youth cultural incubator called New Currency.

I talk to Kazeem about the cultural shift that came with moving from Canada to Nigeria during his adolescence, what we can expect from the first issue of New Currency magazine, and launching the Toronto chapter of an international BIPOC birdwatching group.

Rich Kidd is a two-time Juno nominated rapper/producer from Toronto.

Over the past 15 years, Rich Kidd has produced tracks for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Busta Rhymes, Shad, and K-os.

We talk to Rich about his legendary production sessions with Kendrick and Jay Electronica, serving as the Recording Arts program leader of The Remix Project, and the pro's and con's of hip-hop producer tags.

Fashion designer Natalya Amres transforms everyday objects like basketballs and duffle bags into custom wearable art.

In the past few years, Remixed by Tal has rose from virtual obscurity to partnering with brands like Nike, Adidas Tango, and Kappa.

We talk to Natalya about creating custom pieces for Migos, Savannah Ré, and Kennedy Rd; attending a Nike female entrepreneurial event during NBA All-star weekend; and her favourite song remix.

Born in Paris, Chef Romain Avril has trained at some of France's top Michelin Star restaurants. As the former Executive Chef at La Societe Bistro and Lavelle, he was set to open his own restaurant, only to have his plans on hold as the result of the pandemic. We talk to Chef Avril about the ongoing toxicity in restaurant kitchens, discovering Florence and the Machine during their busking days in London's Hyde Park, and his highly-anticipated upcoming vegan cookbook.

The music of R&B artist Kennedy Rd. sounds like Aaliyah on LSD -- a euphoric haze whirlwind laced with honey-dipped nostalgia. Her sophomore EP Still Luv exhibits remarkable intentionality and confidence, making it resoundingly clear that 2021 will be her breakout year. Shelica and I talk to Kennedy about making and releasing new music during the pandemic, the importance of aligning herself with producers over mere beatmakers, and why she is forever indebted to Mary J Blige's Share My World.

Aiza's music seamlessly blends the genres of R&B, Afro-pop, and funk, instilling a sense of unbridled euphoria.

The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class winner is also an accomplished actress with many film and television credits, including the massively popular comedy series, Workin' Moms.

Guest co-host Chelsey Bennet and I talk to Aiza about growing up listening to her dad's eclectic mixes spanning from Congolese to Classical music; how the pandemic cancelled her Juno Awards performance but led to her developing a new CBC show with her sister; and the power of music during these isolating times.

It's hard to believe that hip-hop/R&B artist Ro Joaquim wasn't always confident about his vocals.

His richly textured voice has a buoyant quality that soars above the atmospheric production of songs like "Touchdown", "Inner Peace", and "Water Fights".

Guest co-host Chelsey Bennett (aka Sey Blu) and I talked to Ro about learning how to pivot during the pandemic, the benefits of shooting a music video during lockdown, and his new protest song about the Black Lives Matter movement.

As DJs and promoters, the Gillespie Brothers have thrown some of the best parties in Toronto for nearly two decades.

But with the pandemic shutting down all parties for the unforeseen future, Dave and Ray have been forced to pivot like many of us.

Together with my former co-host, Jeff Woo, we talk to the Gillespie Brothers about what they've been listening to during COVID, how they organize their vinyl collection, and that infamous night in 2009 when Diplo crashed their house party.

Since quietly opening its doors in the spring of 2011, Poetry Jazz Cafe has become a popular live jazz, funk, and soul venue in the heart of Toronto's Kensington Market.

However, like most music venues around the world, Poetry was forced to temporarily close in mid-March to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

And while it was able to resume its indoor service in July, the Ontario government restricted all bars to only patio service shortly after this interview was conducted. I talked to the owner, Sean Pascalle about the struggles of running a live jazz venue, the absence of live music as a result of the pandemic, and the evolving sound of the coolest man who ever lived, Mr. Miles Davis.