TECHNOLOGY RULES AT CTV: THE 40TH JUNO AWARDS DIGITAL MEDIA ROOM AND RED CARPET SHOW.

Above and below are the workings of the CTV Digital Press Room. Our intern Sasha aka Kalmplex ran the show this time around. Click screen shots to enlarge.

Deadmau5 being viewed LIVE by the use of the digital press room

2010 Junos with Music Director KJ and I in the press room. Now a reporter can simply stream the action in here with CTV digital technology

2011 40th JUNO awards at the ACC

With Artist of the Year Neil Young

With dance artist Chach and E-Talk's Lainey

This year I was not available for all segments of the JUNOS broadcast day. I attended the red carpet show with a music PR client and nominee and left later to cover the press room in the digital world. The digital media room is a relatively new technology CTV began using in 2010. It was first used at the 39th JUNOS in St John, New Foundland and is designed for Journalists who could not travel to the venue or get a media pass in time for the rush. Everyone is accomodated.

My first experience using it was during the 2010 MMVA's (MuchMusic Video Awards) where I wanted to "watch" the show live outside and blog the press room at the same time. The MMVA's as most of you know are an outdoors award show. CTV issues the media outlet a username and password and the reporter logs in the instance the first celebrity comes back there with a trophy and address the media. With a good clean high speed internet connection you can see the whole press room aka "backstage" streamed LIVE. A reporter can then file their stories without even physically being there.

Our intern at HipHossip who worked with me this year, Sasha aka "Kalmplex" said

"Covering the 2011 Junos this year for the first time in the digital media room was quite an enjoyable experience. Getting to hear Arcade Fire, Neil Young, Robbie Robertson, K'naan and Shania Twain talk about their wins and upcoming projects was great. Shania gave us some zingers with "Canada I love our bush", to Deadmau5 talking about how he's already remixed Rebecca Black's song "Friday". Randy Bachman talked about how being in Canada could benefit other countries like holding a Canada Day concert and splitting the proceeds between Haiti and Japan. It was an insightful look at what's next in store for Canadian music and maybe even a comedy circuit if they got bored with their music careers."

Kalmplex for HipHossip.com

The MMVA's 2011 is next and knowing that the Video Music awards are outdoors, I plan to be in the press room in and out and Kalmplex outside with the digital room connection at the pub across the street while blogging some of the action outside. Technology is awesome today and CTV sure uses it well. We are the leading music blog in Canada according to VH1, MTV USA and BET and we roll with CTV technology. HipHossip since it's inception in October 2007 has covered 3 JUNOS, and 3 MMVA's.

THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE JUNO AWARDS.

Saturday March 26th 2011 was the gala at the Allstream Center where 32 of the awards were given out and the rest televised on Sunday 27th March 2011. I attended the gala as a CARAS member. Below are the full list of winners.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Suburbs, Arcade Fire

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Neil Young

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Arcade Fire

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Meaghan Smith

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Arcade Fire

POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
My World 2.0, Justin Bieber

JUNO FAN CHOICE AWARD
Justin Bieber

RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
TSOL, Shad

ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Suburbs, Arcade Fire

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

NEW GROUP OF THE YEAR
Said The Whale, Hidden Pony

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A Place Called Love, Johnny Reid

ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Le Noise, Neil Young

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Vancouver, Matthew Good

VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nina, Kellylee Evans

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Treelines, Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra

TRADITIONAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Our First Set, John MacLeod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Continent & Western, Fond of Tigers

FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Les chemins de verre, Karkwa

CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Proud Like a Mountain, Peter Lenton

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO OR CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Beethoven: Piano Trios Op. 70 No. 1, Ghost & No. 2: Op 11, Gryphon Trio

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LARGE ENSEMBLE OR SOLOIST(S) WITH LARGE ENSEMBLE ACCOMPANIMENT
Mozart, Scott and Lara St. John/The Knights Lara St. John

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL OR CHORAL PERFORMANCE
Great Operatic Arias, Gerald Finley

CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR
Duo For Violin And Piano, R. Murray Schafer

DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Sofi Needs a Ladder, Deadmau5

R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Stars, Quanteisha

REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Likkle But Mi Tallawah, Elaine Lil’Bit Shepherd D’Maestro

ABORIGINAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
CerAmony, CerAmony

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO
My Hands Are On Fire and Other Love Songs, Old Man Luedecke

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: GROUP
La part du feu, Le Vent du Nord

BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Everywhere West, Jim Byrnes

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Love & the Lack Thereof, Greg Sczebel

WORLD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Aksil, Élage Diouf

JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Daniel Lanois for Hitchhiker (Le Noise, Neil Young) / I Believe in You (Black Dub, Black Dub)

RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Kevin Churko for Let It Die / Life Won’t Wait (Scream, Ozzy Osbourne)

RECORDING PACKAGE OF THE YEAR
Justin Peroff, Charles Spearin, Robyn Kotyk & Joe McKay (Art Directors/Designers); Jimmy Collins & Elisabeth Chicoine (Photographers), Forgiveness Rock Record Vinyl Box Set (Broken Social Scene)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Perfect, Kyle Davison (Hedley)

MUSIC DVD OF THE YEAR
Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage, Scot McFadyen, Sam Dunn, Pegi Cecconi, Noah Segal, Shelley Nott, John Virant

ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Swim, Caribou

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ALL JUNO AWARDS COVERAGE THIS WEEKEND.

Eternia, Tonya P, Toya Alexis and me

Rap icons Michie Mee, Maestro Fresh and me

Kardinal Offishall and me

The dynamic Canadian Tenors

We are celebrating BIG in Canada as this weekend is the 40th JUNO awards and it's a one week event ending with one hell of a 3 day weekend. Concerts, receptions, today the 30 day award gala and tommorow the red carpet with the rest 10 televised awards with lots of performances all hosted by DRAKE.

As you already know I am also a Music Publicist and one of my client is a nominee. Tonya P, Best Reggae recording so I am on location tweeting on her page and on our FB page which is where to be for all pictures LIVE. Go there now!!!

Special thanks to everyone at CARAS and CTV. Go to our FB page and read Drake's exclusive interview about his 2.5 hour hosting duties...Also join us on Twitter...

The 2011 JUNO AWARD WELCOME RECEPTION 3/25/11 AT THE FAIRMONT HOTEL.

WIN A CHANCE TO BE AT THE LIVE TAPING OF THE CELEBRATION OF HIP-HOP IN CANADA WITH ALL THE LEGENDS!!

Win one pair of tickets to CBC’s Hip Hop Summit exclusive live taped performance Tuesday 3/29/11, including : k-os, Kardinal Offishall, SHAD, Saukrates, Classified, Maestro, Michie Mee, Red1 of The Rascalz, Choclair, Ghetto Concept, Reema Major, Cadence Weapon, Skratch Bastid and many more.

Event Details
Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Location: Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front Street West
Exclusive Taping Event: 7:45 pm

The question is as follows: What are the names of the 4 women who introduced themselves as "Baby mamas" in Fantasia's "Baby Mama" hit track?

Email your answers to hiphossip@yahoo.ca by this midnight Tuesday 22nd March 2011. If there is more than a winner, then we do a drawing. Two tickets, Two winners! Good luck everybody!

STILL ANGRY: CHRIS BROWN PISSED OFF ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA , STORMS OUT AND SMASHES WINDOW OF DRESSING ROOM!

Chris Brown exploded in rage behind the scenes at "Good Morning America" this morning ... smashing a window and storming out without a shirt ... sources tell TMZ ... and it was triggered by on-air questions about the Rihanna incident.ABC sources tell TMZ ... Brown performed and was interviewed by Robin Roberts live from the Times Square studio when she began asking about the infamous incident. Brown tried to redirect the questions to focus on his album -- but Roberts continued to ask about Brown's legal issues stemming from the Rihanna incident.We're told after the interview, Brown freaked out, storming into his dressing room and screaming so loud, the people in hair and makeup became alarmed and called security. We're told Brown was out of control, and one source present tells us he smashed a window in his dressing room, and the glass shattered and some shards fell onto 43rd and Broadway.

ABC security tells TMZ ... the window was shattered with a chair.We're told by the time security rushed the area, Brown had ripped off his shirt and left the building, blowing off another performance he was supposed to do for the ABC website.And sources say ... on his way out of the building, Brown confronted a segment producer, got in his face and stared him down. People from the show got in between Chris and the producer to diffuse the situation.Remember -- Brown is on probation for the felony beating and he's required to obey all laws.

UPDATE 6:49 AM: Brown just tweeted, "I'm so over people bringing this past s**t up!!! Yet we praise Charlie sheen and other celebs for there bulls**t."
UPDATE 6:59 AM: Brown has already deleted the previous tweet ... and added a new one that reads, "All my fans!!! This album is for you and only you!!! I'm so tired of everyone else!! Honestly!! I love team breezy!!"

Source via VIBE

RASHEEDA ON WHO'S THE NEW KING OF THE SOUTH?? (MAR 2011) - HIPHOPNEWS24-7.COM

Lawd Raseeda has don it again...Thanks to the Futuristic blogger, our US partner. Rasheeda talks about the radio game and hip-hop game changing. However she could not pin point the King of the South in this interview.

RAPPER NATE DOGG DEAD AT 41.

Up and Coming Canadian Rapper Valentine who sounds like them West Coast rappers

Our family at HipHossip

50 Cent Curtis Jackson

Snoop Dogg, the brother himself

Drake

Bow Wow the 5y/o kid always jumping on the sofa in the videos

And that's the way it is...I was online at 2am when it broke.

Legendary singer/rapper Nate Dogg passed away in the early morning hours of March 15, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram. They reported that news was announced by his family.Though the cause of death has not yet been made public, Nate Dogg began battling health issues a few years back, as he suffered strokes in 2007 and 2008.Born Nathaniel D. Hale, Nate was known for his frequent collaborations with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Xzibit, Daz Dillinger and more, as well as his memorable hooks. He was nominated for four Grammys during his illustrious career.

Stay tuned for funeral plans and we checked what his peers were saying when they heard of this shocking news...

KIDS MAKING IT BIG IN THE MUSIC SCENE: AN EVENING WITH TYLER MEDERIOS.

Tyler, Mia Martina, myself and Danny Fernandez

KJ and I hung out for a great evening on Feb 10th a month ago with the CP records family, my darling Canadian musical teen hearthrob Tyler Medeiros whom I had a conversational interview with. Girls!! Everything u wanna hear about Tyler from the horse's mouth himself. I also met the lovely singer Mia Martina and of course our longtime pal singer Danny Fernandez, Tyler's big cousin.

Special thanks to classy PR lady Stephanie Florres, CP records CEO Tony Sal and the family. Love you Tyler, Danny and Mia! KJ and I had fun. It was the world movie premiere of "Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project" at the Bell TIFF light box on King and John st in downtown Toronto Feb 10th 2011. Interview snippets and videos are coming. Catch Tyler tommorow at the Faze Party.

The whole album is here on our Facebook page.

http://www.tylermedeiros.com/
http://www.myspace.com/TylerMedeirosCP
http://www.twitter.com/TylerMedeirosCP

Biography
Tyler Medeiros is the newest addition to Canadian powerhouse, CP Records. Born and raised in Toronto, Tyler's music is greatly influenced by his two older cousins, pop singers Shawn Desman and Danny Fernandes. At just fourteen years old, Tyler has a lot he wants to share with his audience. His ambitions encompass music and dancing alike. Taking dance classes since the age of 10, his style has also been influenced by icons like Michael Jackson, Usher and Justin Timberlake among others. Currently Tyler is in the studio recording his first singles with songwriters RyanDan, Belly, and producer Da Heala. "I'm excited about sharing my music with my fans," Tyler gushes. Signed to CP Records in early 2010 this young entertainer is ready to take center stage.

ONE MORE DAY FOR SCREAMING GIRLS TO MEET MINDLESS BEHAVIOUR!

These are the latest kiddie sensation and they are heading to Toronto tommorow to the Faze party? Are u on the guest list for Mindless Behaviour yet? Just in time for Spring Break. A dynamic group of four charismatic guys who boast an insane sleek and futuristic fashion style with epic dance moves. With over five million views on YouTube of their “My Girl” video they caught the eye of Janet Jackson and will be her opening act for 12 of her North American tour dates including Toronto on March 12th. But first, they’ll showcase their vocals and their moves at our Faze event! Click here to get on the guest list girlz!! No cover, free food and all!

What an awesome day as we hear Tyler Mederios and Cilla will also be at the gig. Wow!! HipHossip will be there to cover it all!

U.GO CREW AND SEAN KINGSTON TAKE OVER THE GUVERNMENT CLUB FRIDAY MARCH 11TH AFTER THE CANADIAN RADIO MUSIC AWARDS.

Juno Award nominated U.G.O Crew’s music is a unique, harmonious mix of styles. They have been nominated for a Canadian Radio Music Award for the song "CHANGE" featuring Sean Kingston. The link to the video is below.
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=NXYnsZ7ZLFQ&feature=player_embedded
The award show takes place on Friday March 11th 2011 at the Fairmount Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto.

U.G.O.Crew (Under Ground Officials) brings together a unique blend of Pop,Urban and Rock with an original style. The signature U.G.O. Crew sound breaks down through Stevano’s consummate MC skills and conscious stinging rhymes, DJ Karina’s emotive voice and adhesive pop melodies plus Arturo’ Rock inspired Latin-flavored flourishes of blazing guitar.

Following U.G.O. Crew’s 2009 Juno nominated ‘Still Fly” collaboration renowned artists Drake and Page, U.G.O. Crew split time that year and 2010 on the road touring with high profile artists and in studio producing new singles.

Now having just recently returned from a North America wide tour with N.Y. Hip Hop icons Digable Planets including sold out shows in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, across Colorado and Arizona, as well as in New York and LA at the famed Whisky A Go Go. U.G.O. Crew also just completed a music video with renowned celebrity video director Paul Boyd for the acoustic version of the song Change.

U.G.O. Crew is a natural amalgam in a post-modern world where cultures, beliefs and music collide like wrecking balls but, at once, coexist, interlace and augment our everyday human experience.

At first, the backgrounds and influences of the main members that make up U.G.O. Crew members at a glance may appear so different or incompatible but, upon closer inspection, their common thread of passion, politics and seamless commitment to universal music life becomes evident. The musicspeaks for itself. “Change” is near.

Stevano is a razor-sharp MC residing in the streets of Jamestown, Toronto, whose distant childhood memories of an intermittent father from Nigeria opened a window of curiosity to the African language and the bigger world outside. He weaves both interests liberally with a wicked bi-lingual flow to form precise rhymes. Focused and resolutely opinionated about the political landscape of our times, he can shift effortlessly between dazzling bravado and indictment of national and international policy.

Karina’s angelic rock/pop vocals betray the gravely road she’s tracked from her spiritual Canadian roots of to a tour of duty in Toronto as a top Ms. Toronto finalist. She continues a self-described “spiritual” journey from which she emerged more driven and committed to pursue her love of music in the Canadian scene and internationally. Alessia and Eric are the Crew’s pure musicians, both equally talented on guitars and drums.

Watch for a series of major single releases to drop in 2011, including the much anticipated single, Suga Baby, featuring Danny Fernandes, slated for mid-February, followed by a joint-single with Faber Drive scheduled for commercial release late spring.

U.G.O. Crew will be performing during CMW week and Junos week in Toronto, March 2011. All media wishing to cover the CMW week performance at the Guvernment Club, downtown Toronto Friday March 11th 2011 at 9pm can contact Kemi@Keminications PR. U.G.O Crew will be performing with Sean Kingston and Danny Fernandez..

www.myspace.com/ugocrew

DA BRAT HOME ON HOUSE ARREST TO COMPLETE SENTENCE.

Shaunte Harris (Rapper Da Brat) is like a daughter to me. Above is our appearance together on BET's Teen Summit as I was the expert and she was the musical guest in 1996.

Da Brat is now on house arrest, the last leg of her three-year bid for assaulting a woman inside of anAtlanta nightclub. Talking withBillboard.com, she said she “feels great,” and is happy to have the opportunity to do things like “sleep on a regular bed,” and access the Internet. “I’m still on house arrest, but I can do everything I need to do inside the house,” said Da Brat. “I get to sleep on a regular bed. I get to eat regular food. I get access to my computer to see what’s going on in the world, because in there I didn’t have access to a computer. I’m just grateful to be out. I’ve been feeling great since I got out.”

Not wanting to waste any time, Brat said that fans can expect her on popular social networking sites very soon, in fact, she hopes to create a Twitter account by the end of the week. As far as future project are concerned, she started on her autobiography, which will be titled Insubordination, and plans on heading back into the studio to work with Jermaine Dupri. “I haven’t recorded in like two and a half years, so I don’t know what it’s gonna sound like. I’m going to do a mixtape first, or whatever JD thinks,” she added.

Source: Yo Raps Kim Taylor

CANADIAN FEMALE JUSTIN BIEBER MARIA ARAGON FINALLY PERFORMS WITH LADY GAGA!

After all the hype, 90 mins late Gaga and being flown to L.A. and New York for appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Good Morning America, the fifth grader landed in Toronto this week and Thursday morning met nearly two dozen members of the media at the 99.9 Virgin Radio studios. Maria Aragon, who didn’t seem unnerved by all the adult attention, was accompanied by her parents, Menchie and Veni, sister Rojuane, 20, and brother J.V., 14, all of whom kept watch at the back of the room as she spoke to reporters. Self-taught on piano, J.V. in turn taught Maria how to play. All the siblings pitched in last summer to purchase the $1,000 keyboard she plays in her “Born Free” video.

LADY GAGA broke down in tears during the concert on Thursday (03Mar11) after performing an emotional rendition of her song BORN THIS WAY with a 10-year-old fan. The pop star last month (Feb11) invited Maria Aragon to join her on tour as she was so impressed with a YouTube clip of the little girl singing the track. The Poker Face hitmaker kept her word when her tour touched down in Aragon's native Canada and called her young fan onstage during a show in Toronto on Thursday night.

Gaga lifted Aragon onto her lap as she sat at a piano, and the two then performed a duet of Born This Way, with Gaga visibly moved during the song. After Aragon thanked the crowd and left the stage, Gaga could be seen weeping and taking time to compose herself before continuing the concert. She later took to her Twitter.com blog to post a picture of herself wearing a t-shirt with Aragon's face on as she stood next to the girl backstage. Gaga writes, "Myself +10 year old Lady Maria of Winnipeg. She signed my t-shirt, she ate my heart, just like you." After the show, Aragon said, "Lady Gaga is really big and she's so amazing. Being supported how she was supported up there made me feel really great."

ANOTHER ONE OF OUR YOUNG MUSICAL VOICES GONE IN TORONTO: YOUNG DJ PLATNUM MURDERED IN TORONTO AT INFAMOUS INTERSECTION.

A teenager with no criminal background was shot to death on Dundas Street West near Scarlett Road on Wednesday night. Police have identified the victim as Shane Williams, 19. Known as "DJ Platnum", Williams performed at numerous locations across the GTA, including several all-ages events. Police still don't know why Williams was gunned down, and say he wasn't known to them.

"He does not have any criminal history that would suggest that he was living a high-risk lifestyle," said Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux, who added it may have been a case of mistaken identity. "Whether he was the appropriate target is unclear at this particular time."

Officers were called to the scene after reports of shots fired at a housing complex located at 4020 Dundas St. around 9pm.Williams was hit numerous times in the chest area and died after being rushed to hospital. Investigators believe at least five shots were fired, but they haven't determined if it was a drive-by shooting, or if the suspect fled on foot.

Residents in the area were startled by the sounds of gunshots."I was on my balcony and I heard the shots and I felt like I had to duck because it sounded like it was so close," said area resident Anita Passon."I walk my dog up here every night and to think that that could have happened to me, it could have been me walking," added Kelly Amey. Another teen - 18-year-old Jarvis St. Remy - was shot to death in the same area on May 1st, 2009 as he stood at a bus stop. His murder remains unsolved.

If you have any information on either murder, call police 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook.

Source

Watch the video and my reaction to murders. The same as I always said...NOT acceptable. HipHossip has always been in this fight against murders and gun crimes in Toronto especially among youth and young adults. R.I.P to this young man. When is it gonna stop? Don Kartel, Michael George, Young Mecca Andrew Dowden, Chris Tsilombo, Carl Cole... all rappers and DJ's murdered.

-K-

IT'S A CANADIAN THING: KIESHA CHANTE'S WEBSITE HAS LAUNCHED!

It's a Canadian thing. Keshia Chante is family around here at HipHossip. WOW! That website is something! I just love the gold tones. “Table Dancer” got nominated for ‘Dance Recording of the Year’ & “Test Drive”got nominated for ‘R&B Recording of the Year’ at the 40th JUNO AWARD celebrations.

Congrats on all the successes Keshia and if you ain't too busy during KJ's party time on November 11th, he would love you to host his birthday party. 11/11/11 ....Says he wants you to dance on the table next to the cake!! lol.