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Sunday, July 8, 2012
Minneapolis Rapper/Activist Free-One (Real Name Abdulle Elmi ) Gunned Down in Toronto.
Elmi, 25, died of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso Thursday morning. He was the cousin of Eaton Centre shooting victim Ahmad Hassan. Police have not linked Elmi’s death to the Eaton Centre attack.
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| Late Abdulle Elmi COURTESY OF LUKE RUSCH |
In Minneapolis, Elmi was also known as “a revered poet” who performed in a hip-hop group called “The Usual Suspects,” said Luke Rusch, his best friend. “He was the first Somali in Minneapolis to make it to perform at the city’s largest venues as a rapper.” Friends know Elmi by his MC name, “Free-One” and his nickname “Black Wizard.”
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| Eaton Center victim Ahmed Hassan and Elmi's cousin |
“For people who knew him, this is very shocking,” said Rusch, who spoke with a tear-choked voice on the phone from Minneapolis on Saturday. “He was really against violence, always wanted to help people in a meaningful way.”
The eldest of four siblings, Elmi was born in Toronto but later moved to Minnesota with his family and lived in Cedar-Riverside, a neighbourhood known for gun violence.
The South High School graduate joined University of Minnesota at 17 to study political science before moving back to Toronto.
Franz Dahinpen, Elmi’s classmate in high school and university, said Elmi was “passionate about justice.” He attended anti-violence protests, rallied students against police brutality and volunteered at youth festivals, said Dahinpen.
Elmi was also a founding member of a Sustainable Progress through Engaging Active Citizens, a Minneapolis organization that encourages young people to improve their neighbourhoods. Lead organizer Chaka Mkali said Elmi “touched many lives” through his work.
The eldest of four siblings, Elmi was born in Toronto but later moved to Minnesota with his family and lived in Cedar-Riverside, a neighbourhood known for gun violence.
The South High School graduate joined University of Minnesota at 17 to study political science before moving back to Toronto.
Franz Dahinpen, Elmi’s classmate in high school and university, said Elmi was “passionate about justice.” He attended anti-violence protests, rallied students against police brutality and volunteered at youth festivals, said Dahinpen.
Elmi was also a founding member of a Sustainable Progress through Engaging Active Citizens, a Minneapolis organization that encourages young people to improve their neighbourhoods. Lead organizer Chaka Mkali said Elmi “touched many lives” through his work.
Police urge people to call 1800222TIPS or the homicide squad at 416-808-7400 to Detective Pauline Gray.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Police looking for Nikolas Guindon -Vachon, Promoter who founded Escapade Music Fest. $600K missing!
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| Nickolas Guindon-Vachon has not been seen or heard from since Monday morning.(Facebook) |
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 27-year-old concert promoter and festival founder alleged to have stolen the proceeds of a two-day music festival held at Ottawa Stadium over Canada Day weekend.
Police are asking for the public's help to find Nickolas Guindon-Vachon of Ottawa, who founded the Escapade Music Festival.
The warrant was issued days after police were called to the stadium on Tuesday, where other festival organizers said $600,000 was missing.Guindon-Vachon is wanted for theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000.
Det. Stephen McDougall told CBC News someone associated with the festival watched Guindon-Vachon get into a rented white GMC Yukon on Tuesday at about 5:15 a.m., carrying a large box.
The vehicle was later discovered in a parking lot at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport. Montreal police searched the vehicle, but did not find Guindon-Vachon.
McDougall would not say whether police know if Guindon-Vachon has left the country.
He is described as white, 285 pounds, standing five feet, eight inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on Guindon-Vachon's whereabouts is asked to call Ottawa police at 613-236-1222, ext. 5166, or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) — toll free at 1-800-222-8477.
Rapper Continues to Give Back In Toronto's Toughest Neighborhoods.
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| TODAY in Toronto! |
TODAY IS THE DAY STARTING @ 1 PM BRING THE FAMILY OUT FOR SOME BURGERS MUSIC !! AND FREE CLOTHES !!!!!!!!!! GARBAGE CLEAN UP AS WELL WILL BE HAPPENING AT 5 PM !!!! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !!!!
Friday, July 6, 2012
SHOCKING AUDIO: Ghanaian-Canadian Promoter for Ghanaian BET Award Winner Sarkodie lashes out at HipHossip and Canadian Media DENYING Reporters interviews unless he's PAID!
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| Sarkodie left and Wizkid tied and both won the BET Best International Act at the 2012 BET awards |
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| WizKid and Sarkodie on BET red carpet via twitter |
Ghanaian artists are very talented and they need more international attention and not these unprofessional people. I learned that wannabe promoter Sam Tuga works for a very wealthy Ghanaian who brought Sarkodie to Canada and this Sam dude is only fronting for tickets for him.
One of the great Ghanaian stars we met in Toronto is Rocky Dawuni whom KJ interviewed at WeDay 2010.--MsKemi @HipHossip on Twitter
Below is the interview in my widget and a video of Sarkodie thanking his fans.
Alleged Houston Shooter Report From KHOU-TV. **EXCLUSIVE** Suspect was in the Bloods Gang, Poppa C was a Crips member and Suspect had a troubled childhood.
9.34pm EDT: Since I posted this report, I have interviewed Ifeanyichi Uvukansi's lawyer and father. His dad, a well known Houston Lawyer is apparently representing him for now and will be hiring another lawyer by next week and this is just for the initial hearing. Attorney Johnson Uvukansi is a Nigerian-American of Igbo descent who settled in the US several years ago and told me his son was born in Houston, Texas on 12/19/1987
He also told me that he has to examine the files, charges laid and more. He said this case has bought embarrassment to the family name obviously and everyone is devastated. He had no idea that his son was in a gang called the BLOODS and had no knowledge that he had a weapon of any kind, but admitted to me that "Ifeanyi" as we call the name in Nigeria, (it is spelled wrong in initial court records missing the "I" in front) had a troubled childhood always fighting in school and aggresive.
I will have the full interview when HipHossip loads on Friday. I also spoke to the District Attorney and Houston Police in separate phone interviews. Stay tuned for the developing story. Below are my tweets earlier this afternoon--MsKemi
Thursday, July 5, 2012
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