The day before I competed at 3Style Toronto, I told myself to give myself a little break from all the rehearsing and deliberation of compiling my set. My mind was fried. I decided to check out the figure known as DJ AM, who was playing a rare appearance in Toronto at some industry night. I needed to see what the hype was about and answer some questions about this guy. This whole time, I couldn’t understand how in certain clips he would be doing the corny mash-up business he was mostly known for, then in others he’d be cutting up doubles of golden age west coast records at some sneaker store, then in another clip be twisting knob playing some nutty electro. I thought he had to have been schizophrenic. Turns out, as I found out that night, that AM was the type to go IN on the music. He broke rules, crossed genres haphazardly (but made them make sense), but above all, had a style on the decks that was communicated to the crowd. He was a media darling, but still earned respect by the most thorough of his peers because, at the end of it all, AM knew what it was all about: the music.

You can learn volumes about yourself even by crossing paths with a complete stranger. With AM, I learned you can take this music slinging business to the heights of stardom, and still keep it 100.

What a phenomenal legacy he leaves behind. DJ AM, you will be missed.

THURSDAY AUGUST 27, 2009

Young in age, but a seasoned vet with the wax, Kaelah James aka Kaewonder has shown himself to be one of the most prolific diggers in the Dot.

With close ties to Toronto hip-hop icon JonBronski (peace to the Masterplan Show), Kaewonder comes from a lineage in Toronto that has brought nothing but that raw-dog boom bap shit out the speakers.

First making his mark with the Fameless Collective, his notorious parties at Chelsea Room, 751, Augusta House, Czehoski and your girlfriend’s apartment established his rep as that dude that doesn’t mess with soft beats or cornball raps.

His penchant for running long forgotten, but still knockin indie rap 12″s, and amazing samples has earned him city wide respect for his extensive music knowledge.

Having also established www.themeaningofdope.com, an online archive all things hip-hop in the media of yesteryear, and working with the likes of Arcee of The Real Frequency for the popular mixtape series CRATERY, Kaewonder is quickly becoming the pre-eminent dude of that hip-hop we know and love.

Join us as Social Experiment welcomes guest DJ Kaewonder.

Alongside DJ Royale of Grand Groove!

THE DETAILS

SOCIAL EXPERIMENT
with DJ MENSA
Playing Urban Classics, Old and New
open minded and bass heavy

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT
@ OCTOPUS LOUNGE
293 Palmerston Ave.
19+/No Cover/No Dress Code/Be Easy

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE PRIZEFIGHTER IMPRINT.

In a soul party true to its name, DJ Shai & DJ Mensa bring you that timeless R&B flavour with a rockers twist.

Music that has people rockin’ in the streets from London to New York to Jamaica to Toronto. Spreading the universal message of love for bass heavy, party rocking music for the soulful minded.

Street Soul Rockers: “Where Rhythm meets Riddim”

Whether it’s Erykah Badu or some Maxwell in your (party) life; if it’s Amel Larrieux or Amy Winehouse you raise your glasses to in the club; or maybe you wanna get free to Jah Cure or Richie would Spice up your night.

Xixgon International in association with Sole Purpose Presents…

STREET SOUL ROCKERS
“Where Rhythm meets Riddim”

Corner Place Lounge – 11 Jarvis St (@ Front St)

Champion sounds provided by:
DJ SHAI – (Xixgon International)
http://www.myspace.com/oodjshaioo

DJ MENSA – (Prizefighter)
http://www.djmensa.com

Hosted By:
BIG PHILLY – (Sole Purpose)
http://www.bigphilly.ca

R&B and REGGAE (Lovers Rock & Conscious)
19+ID

Admission:
FREE for Ladies before 11pm
$5 Before Midnight
Style Code in Effect

For more Info / Birthday packages/ Inquiries contact:
Deejayshai@gmail.com / SolePurpose@Ymail.com or 416.473.1427

“nah pop no style just strictly roots…”

I was honoured to be a part of this event on Canada Day. Almost spontaneously thrown together by The Manifesto crew, and working off of the impact of the death of King of Pop, as well as the coming together of everyone on, this tribute to Michael Jackson was a crazy swell of emotion, patriotism, and comraderie. It was an all-inclusive love-in that had worldwide exposure. Who knows if this will happen again, but there are so many pictures and videos documenting this moment in time to last us the rest of our days.

Download mixes from Starting From Scratch, Son of S.O.U.L., Sean Sax, L’Oqenz, Jason Palma, and myself here, and check out the Manifesto MJ Tribute page for more pics and vids!

In August 2008, after a long hiatus, DJ Mensa tested out the waters of Toronto club scene to see if there was still a need for his brand of musical flavor. On a whim, he conducted his own “social experiment” and threw an impromptu jam mid-week to see what kind of response he could get. With minimal promo, the night was a success, and Mensa has rolled on with the name that captures the essence of he’s been conducting: a Social Experiment.

What has started as a hole-in-the-wall haven for the city’s in-the-know music lovers, has become the premier Thursday to hear those unearthed musical gems never touched by any traditional club night. Not for the fairweather or faint of ear.

To commemerate the occasion, DJ Mensa continues his acclaimed weekly ritual for friends and first-timers alike with a very special guest:

DJ Wristpect
2009 Stylus Canadian DJ of the Year
Smash Squad/Wristpect.com

The best out to do it right now is rolling by to throw down whatever the eff he wants. Do tell a friend and make an appearance, as this night will definitely go down as one for the record books.

Also the official launch party for WWW.DJMENSA.COM, and more surprises to come!

For everyone who has come through to one of our past 52 nights for a drink, a tune, a dance, and a jam, we can’t thank you enough.

Cheers to you, and see you on the 13th.

– The Good People at the Experiment: Taurean, Jill, and Mensa

The Details

SOCIAL EXPERIMENT
With DJ Mensa
Classic Hip-Hop, R’n'B, Old School, and Lover’s Rock
Open Minded and Bass Heavy

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT
@ Octapus Lounge
293 Palmerston Ave.
19+/No Cover/No Dress Code/Be Easy