DJs didnt go with FLOW

Real stars featured urban artists

The Real Frequency died an untimely death earlier this year, but its contribution to the local hip-hop scene is incalculable. The rap radio show debuted in 1994 on CHRY-FM, came d o w n t o w n t o C K L N- F M before making history in 2005 by becoming the first hip-hop show on FLOW 93.5 FM, Canadas first commercial urban radio station. DJ Musiklee Inzane hosted The Real Frequency with DJ P-Plus and Arcee, two cats who share his encyclopedic knowledge and deep passion for hip-hop, on FLOW until the station was sold to CTV in late January. The trio signed off on Jan. 31, but have left a solid legacy. Were passionate about the music, we dont follow trends and I think more and more people are looking for an alternative to the same guys rapping about the same things, Inzane, who created The Real Frequency, told me in an interview. Theyre looking for people who are more down to earth, who are more creative lyrically and musically. Three years back, Inzane, P-Plus and Arcee introduced a new segment called The New North, into the mix. We wanted our listeners to get a chance to learn more about the people whose music they were hearing instead of us just doing fiveminute sound bites and promoting parties and mix tapes, he explains. We did it four months out of the year, and every week for each of those months we had one artist sit in and talk to us for the whole two-hour show. Inzane is quick to attribute the popularity of the segment to his co-hosts. P-Plus had a knack for finding good homegrown artists, he was one of the first to play Drake. Hes a big supporter of Canadian talent so he opened our ears to a lot of the upcoming artists. The New North spot proved

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The Toronto Sun n Friday, September 9, 2011

MArk ONEILL/toRonto sun files

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Errols cant miss list

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DJ P-Plus, Musiklee Inzane and Arcee were hosts of the first hip-hop radio show in Canada, The Real Frequency.
so popular with listeners that it inspired an album of the same name that just came out. It features an army of local rappers and producers like Theology 3, Ayah, Frankie Payne, Mathematik, Progress, Grimace Love, Shad, and BOI 1DA. Inzane says it wasnt a challenge to assemble the compilation. Toronto is bubbling with talent, he says. Most of the artists had already been featured on the segment so we knew them and it was just a matter of reaching out to them. All of them respect what the show stood for and were more than willing to be a part coke while fighting the popular perception of Rexdale as a gang war zone. Also on the bill is Reema Major, Souls of Steel Orchestra, and Scratch, the former beatboxer with The Roots. The free all-ages event starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Albion Library parking lot, 1515 Albion Rd. to hear. Swift, who spends her time in Toronto and Beijing, celebrates the release of her 11th album, 11:11, Wednesday at Hughs Room. This album with its twin language versions of all the songs is about seeking connection, honouring two distinct cultures, and simply celebrating all of the beautiful aspects of global diversity, especially at a time in history when there is so much misunderstanding between China and the West, Swift says. It was a joy to create and Im thrilled to be able to release it into the world this fall. 8:30 p.m. $20. 2261 Dundas St. W.

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Rhythms N Rhymes

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The Ilios Steryannis Jazz Trio plays Gate 403 Wednesday. 403 Roncesvalles. 9 p.m. 416-588-2930. Babalao Stereo Club celebrates the release of its party album, Latin Bang Theory, Thursday at the Gladstone Hotel. 1214 Queen St. W. 8 p.m. $10. 416-588-2930. The Ronny Hayward Trio fills the Dominion on Queen with its original rockabilly sounds every Saturday. 500 Queen St. E. 3 p.m. PWYC.

of the comp. Many of the artists on the collection will be appearing at the sixth annual urbanNOISE festival happening tomorrow in the Rexdale/Jamestown neighbourhood. urbanNOISE says it provides free arts-based workshops as well as part-time employment and mentorship through its Ambassador Program to youth in North Etobi-

Ember Swift describes her music as world and folk meets electronic and groove. But thats only half the story considering she sings in Mandarin and English and makes some of the most adventurous sounding music youre likely

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST