Photo by Che Kothario

Masia One & DJ SARASA BK meet Toronto live footage rehearsal & show from Masia One on Vimeo.

It’s been a while Brooklyn. The last time I wandered your cobbled streets, smelled your cuban food, listened to your random sound systems and climbed your brown stones was 3 years ago. It never fails, whenever I return to BK I feel like a lost duckling that has re-discovered her pond.

Good morning Brooklyn!

The show at Southpaw was good vibes all around. The basement did not have a stage, which made it difficult for an emcee & dj combo under 5′1 in height. I had been loosing my voice all week, so there was a bit of a concern with how clear the sound would be (the sound man fixed the settings then left the venue all night) but all in all- you know we still rocked it. I was excited to be performing with DJ SARASA as we haven’t seen each other since the PULAU album release party 2008! All the performers were great that night, but I have to give an extra shout out to Tona, who I see as a major force to be reckoned with in the urban music scene for 2011. Don’t sleep…you heard it here first!

Shout outs to ooloo clothing for the fly Tshirt! You know I had to rock it in a shot for yall.

During the days my boss / manager Tamara and I attended a lot of meetings with potential partners in the hustle (shouts out to Audible Treats and Decon).  I’m trying to convince Tamara to rename her consultation firm “Same Day Service” cause that’s what she provides in an industry of missed calls, unanswered emails and stoner artists. A highlight of our wanderings was definitely stopping off at Juniors for some cheesecake – I felt like Puffy up in this bitch!

I enjoyed the beauty in the details of BK Town. I love that you can wander rows of Brownstones a la Cosby show (I know everyone has a distinct affinity to the Cosby Show!) and see random things like a garden full of stuffed animals. Brooklyn is art.

At night, I linked up with my long lost sister J9 and she took me BBQ hopping. Forget club hopping…Brooklyn BBQ hopping is all that and then some. All you can eat, drink and hear. Good vibes all around and some very interesting people willing and ready to meet someone new. That’s how I think life should be.

I had an opportunity to check out the Brooklyn Hiphop festival main stage and witnessed acts like De La Soul, Pete Rock & CL Smooth (reunited!), Smif N Wessun, Black Moon, Black Milk…it was a good day to be a Hiphop head. DJ SARASA held it down on the side stage, starting with some grimey hiphop, then moving into some disco and funk inspired numbers. Big up girl! Keep the people moving. I have to note that the venue for this showcase was stunning – right under the Brooklyn Bridge. My architectural spidey senses tingled non stop as I watched the late afternoon sun shine through the girders and angles of this beautiful feat in modern engineering.

The next day we attended the OK Africa show in Prospect Park. 30,000+ people means a LOT of armpits. The B.O. cross pollinated with humidity was more than I could bare. We watched an early set from The Roots then bounced. We saw lots of the Manifesto fam there, and bid them goodbye as they hopped back on their bus en route to T.O.

Ok, back to work. I have enjoyed roaming the earth far too much in recent months and it’s time to buckle down and get out those mixtapes before the summer is over. Love you Brooklyn…see you soon.

The KOPS & ROBBERS website will be up very soon! Look out for my new single from KOPS & ROBBERS coming to a download near you.

Quinton…forlorn works for you. Good Look.

Paparazzi flicks of my bro Junia T!

I don’t know this man on the left, but he as the biggest smile I’ve ever seen!

This homegirl is coming up to Toronto for Caribana! JUMP UP JUMP UP!

DJ Mensa always holding it down.

Flyest Tshirt of the festival award goes to Basquiat Biggie!

Consolation prize…MR SPARKLE! (One of my favorite Simpsons episodes)

Danilo blessed us with some live painting the night of the show

Teelo looking gangsterrrr.

When did G become such an international man of mystery?

T.O. OGs

Rude boy Tuff Dumplin Sound!

My best friend and arch nemesis Jesse Ohtake of www.thecyberkrib.com

Eternia spots me during a photo shoot

Even Brooklyn be reppin’ Toronto

Ladies and Gentlemen…the irreplaceable Blake Carrington

These guys are talented and awesome.

My 2 favorite trouble makers!

Wan Luv rocking Che-Masia pin

Masia One’s camera sees you sonnnn!

Che of the Manifesto crew said it best…PEACE BK!

Eternia rocking what she wrote 5 minutes ago...

I was feeling this rap and it goes like this…

Halfway Through the City Boombox photo by Che Kothari

I thought this was kinda random and amusing!  Someone posted video of Rockets named Trashrock, Spycam1, Beast 2, Spycam2, Beast2A footage cruising to the soundtrack of Masia One – Halfway Through The City. Launch sites are Udall Park and Pantano Wash, located in Tucson’s East side.

Halfway Through the City appears on MISSISSAUGA (2003, produced by Yoroku Saki) when the music biz was brand new to me, and I had just seen my first studio and mic.  Time passes quickly and now we at 2010 and I have made several rounds about the city and beyond.  I’ll make a remix called “Halfway Through the City Limits”.  LOL.  Til then, let’s run that throw back joint anyway…my first video ever!!! Filmed by a young RT! and produced by Next Element’s Jon Nadalin (you still owe me dinner) and featuring a cast of Toronto’s Hiphop community that I have grown & flourished with and have since gone on to bigger and better endeavors.  Peeps to spot include Sebastien Grainger (DFA 1979, SG & The Mountains),  BRYAN BROCK (designer extraordinaire), FREESTYLE (Arsonists), Eternia, Shane Stirling, DJ Mensa, BBOY Frost (Ground Illusions), Mindbender, Raynge, Matisse, Bgirl Jiven  … the list goes on.  One Love T.O.

Behind the scenes shots at the filming of Halfway Through the City photo by Che Kothari

Halfway Through the City videoshoot brought out the kiiiids! photo by Che Kothari

Raynge and her baby girl!

We could play "Spot the super stars" all day in this video!

Toronto Hiphop Fam circa 2003 photo by Che Kothari

Girls Rights Tour: edited by Eternia

411 Girls Rights Tour featured in the Windsor Star

WINDSOR STAR ARTICLE

Special thanks to the Windsor Star

Jamming out with the girls @ Massey in Windsor!

What an amazing way to end 2 weeks on the road traveling to schools across Ontario!  We found ourselves in Windsor Ontario, just across the water from Detroit City.  Some of the most amazing music has come out of this region (RIP J DILLA) and I was thrilled to meet the kids growing up around the way.

The first school JL FORESTER was a pretty big school, however about half the kids did not make it to the show as it was the Muslim holiday of EID which I learned was a day to observe the ideal of sacrifice in obedience to God.  The girls that were there more than made up in cheering for the missing students, and we definitely had a great show.  I was particularly struck by the last comment that came from a girl in the front row wearing a blue sweatshirt.  She let us know that she was from Haiti and that the situation there was “not a joke“.

In our presentation we talk about the issues faced by young people in HAITI, focusing on the fact that many kids are thrown into adult prisons as young as 7 and 8 years old.  This is particularly striking for the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere where 50% of the population is below the age of 18.  It makes me think about the power and lack of power for young people to change their current situation.  In spite of being the first black led republic and the first independent Caribbean state, the government of Haiti has not been progressive in providing basic necessities to the the people including roads, running water and education.  This said, how can the young people of the world stand idly by when a country of youth with hopes and dreams like you and I fight for a future?  Haiti is a beautiful country, and I encourage any students reading this to ask your teachers if you could learn more about the situation there either by requesting the learning guide available at WHAT’S THE 411 or going to the library / internet and looking up that information yourself.  I think back to the girl at JL Forester that reminded us that not only was the situation in Haiti a very difficult one, but that our world is getting smaller and though we often think these problems are far away, we are a global community.  We have so much to learn from our friends and peers that have experienced things we have never seen to help us understand first hand what it means to contribute as a positive light in this world.  This is what I mean when I tell everyone to hold their “peace signs” up and yell One Love.

VINCENT MASSEY was probably the livest and LOUDEST school we have been to, to date!  I had such an amazing time, and it was a great way to end our string of shows into the weekend.  Many girls came up to me after the show to let me know that they loved Return of the Bgirl, and that they started Bgirling (breakdancing) too.  That’s amazing ladies, keep training and stay inspired!  I secretly hope this is one of the schools that might win the SCHOOL DANCE CONTEST because you guys had such a great vibe, and I know rocking a party for all of you would be a concert to remember!

Nana always holds it down as the best host ever!

Thanks for coming out and supporting the Girl movement CBC!

Q&A is a good time to figure out what we can personally do to help!

These girls snuck backstage after the show, tsk tsk tsk! LOL

I love meeting the girls after the show! Look at all the shiny happy faces!

ps: For all you aspiring Bgirls that I met, my friend Scramblelock recently showed me this video he made! I thought it was such a creative way of showcasing his dancing! Check it out below. Hope it inspires you to make your own flick!

Scramblelock – Love City from Scramblelock on Vimeo.

What a great day in St Thomas!  I have to say that this has been one of my favorite schools on the tour!  The energy of the girls here was just bubbling, and I could feel the inspiration go both ways between performers and students! Backstage (which was actually the auditorium closet LOL) ETERNIA and I found some Guitar Hero guitars so naturally we had to do the rockstar boogie and do a ridiculous photoshoot before hitting the stage!  (Love you NANA for always holding it down!) I’ve been loosing my voice on tour because of the change in weather and diet but somehow every show I muster up enough vocals for the performance because the energy of the audience has been so phenomenal.  Thank you St Joes & Assumption ladies for your hospitality and I know you ladies will go on to do great things!

Pre-show Nana is a professional!

We should start a Screamo band...I call it E-Masia One-Ternia HAHAHA

Eternia will be the Emo one! LOL.

I think an Emo album should be on the horizon for E!

I'll bring more of a George Clinton P-Funk Era flavor!

...and SWEET guitar solos! Guitar Hero Rock Star One!

Or stick to zee Rap Music.

As promised ladies! Thanks for taking the flick! You are all so beautiful and fly! Keep in touch! (click on the picture for a bigger image!)

Check out my blogs every Wednesday on the www.becauseiamagirl.ca website!  Here is my latest update!

MASIA ONE BECAUSE I AM A GIRL BLOG

3am and got to be up in 3 hours…better get some shut eye before tomorrow’s show.

one love.

Sometimes 6am mornings hurt my brain...

November 16. 2009 We hit the road driving up North from Toronto.  The first school, Hillcrest was a great attentive crowd of kids.  I unfortunately was not yet ready to switch from L.A. life to student schedule waking up around 5:30am and arriving at the school shortly after 7am.  I couldn’t believe Nana had woken up early for a run, and Eternia was her usual morning efficient self.  I am always pleased to share a room with tour manager Tamara, as she is subtly assertive and keeps me in check (ie: up and out of bed!)

Boys Change room reads: Because I am a Girl

1 hour later it still hurts! (Masia hiding in the Girls Change room pre show)

In direct contrast to Miss Morning Sunshine NANA! xoxo

Tamara is the den leader and always holds it down!

Caught DJ Kyle sleeping on the job! HAHAHA!

Nana hosting and interviewing the MTV Canada hosts about their trips to Columbia, Haiti and South Sudan

Say Yeah Yah!

Eternia says "You have Power, You have Choice! So...no one on the corner got swagger like us..."

Brechin Boogie!

We headed out to our second show in Brechin, where we met up with a principle that we performed for last year that has since transferred to another school.  Backstage I had the pleasure to parlay with some guys, curious as to why they had been excluded from the Girl’s presentation.  I asked them what they thought the show was about, and they giggled and said it was probably about girl stuff and sex ed.  LOL.  I asked them who they would like to meet and a string of names poured out including Hannah Montana, Brad Pit and The Rock.  Go figure…pretty random Hollywood bunch if you ask me!  I promised them that I would shout their names out on the mic (especially Trent who indicated his girlfriend was in the crowd).  6 schools of girls had come together for the presentation, and their energy was really wonderful.  The autograph line was long.  Eternia and I received the most random things to sign including stinky sneakers, posters, bags and one request for her face!  Thanks Brechin…had a blast!

My homies backstage Trent, Austin & Hank! (sorry last dude you joined at the end) Reppin' for the boys the support Girls Rights!

Go Nana!

Autograph line up

Autograph session after was CRAAAAZY!

This girl was the sweetest and the happiest!

Music is My Life! Music IS Life!

Photo ops for the LiONEss & Eternia!

How do autograph sessions turn into Masia One Shoe Customizations?

This girl's shirt said "California, Blue Skies, Hot Guys!" BAM BAM! It's true.

November 17. 2009 This morning was especially painful to wake up.  I have to cut down my 3am email work nights before waking for 6am!  We arrived at Mary Mount school to a pretty skilled Volleyball team occupying our set up time.  We got things underway for set up, a quick sound check and I disappeared to the bathroom to splash ample amounts of water on my face.  I returned to find out my show CDs disappeared!  We searched, asked the teachers at the school for a blank CD (so I could burn a new show disc) but no luck.  One of the teachers even offered me a casette tape instead!!!???  We finally located a blank disc at the neighboring school, Macguiver’d a new show disc and away we go!  I was really impressed at the questions the young ladies at Mary Mount asked…One girl asked me if I would ever stop believing in what I did.  It’s hard question to answer as I would immediately like to retort NOOO WAY!!!  There are so many choices to be made in the music industry both on the creative side as well as with business, that sometimes it gets difficult to stay grounded to what first inspired an artist to write and create.  I have to say, doing the school tours, and reaching out to young people that have that innocence of spirit, and warrior energy is always an inspiration for me to keep believing in what I do.  Thanks Ladies!

Made it on stage in time, with a new show disc burned!

Participation! Great questions Regal Ladies!

Inside joke on the tour! Thank you Tamara for humoring my obscure humor!

Took my braids out in the tour van after the show and rocked some Lion Hair!

My traveling Gnome, Pink Hello Kitty!

Bailed hay? We a long way from Hollywood Toto!

DJ Kyle buys some Stunna Shades for the drive to Sault Ste Marie!

Giant Loonie in the middle of no where! Had to make Kyle pull over for this pimpin' photo opt!

Nana reppin' the Queen Side!

KLAX at the hotel? Super old school.

Nothing says "comfortable in my masculinity" quite like seeing DJ Kyle in his "Because I am a Girl Shirt!" LOL.

Good night world! Don’t forget to enter the competition to win a school dance with DJ Dopey, Masia One & Eternia.  Text “GIRL” to 25252 or go online at Because I am a Girl online contest!

1:30am and I have to be up in a few hours!  One Love.

Girls Rights Tour: Display at Sunnyview, Brampton

Our first stop, Sunnyview in Brampton!  It was a great reception, and wonderful to see that the students had taken the time to create a display for the hallway promoting the presentation.

Eternia's finger cheat sheets!

To be honest both Eternia and myself were backstage memorizing lyrics LOL!  Ahhh show 1 jitters I suppose.  I thought this was pretty ingenius of E, with prompt words on her digits!  I just crossed my fingers and hoped for a PG-13 freestyle if anything was forgotten.

Eternia's pocket PC: QWERTY Keypad with finger burn!

Another back stage activity…rapid texting!  I had to take a picture of this when I saw Eternia’s keypad that had been well worn down from intensive text messaging.  This is impressive…looks like the technology isn’t keeping up with her rapid fire texting! LOL.

Eternia, Lukas and tired Masia!

Our helper was the homie Lukas.  He shared with me how he loved working with setting up sound and I suggested to him to find a basic program like Fuity Loops and start messing around with production.  I caught the vibe that he would become an amazing producer.  After I had performed, he was hanging out backstage with us.  My favorite was when Lukas told Eternia to “Break a Leg out there!”, then turns to me (after I had just finished my set) and said “You’re already broken”. LOL.

Masia One rocking it for Sunnyview, Brampton

Interview with Jen Hollett about media images of women

Masia One & Patrick @ Balmoral, Brampton

zzzz...table looking like a bed.

Ok, only the 4th day of tour and I’m already realizing I don’t get enough sleep!  (Need to shut off Facebook and Twitter!!!)  Ferndale was a great school and by the time I heard the show begin, I woke up and was ready to rock.

Students lining up for autographs! (Gravenhurst)

Propaganda! My favorite!

2 of the smartest women I know!

Eternia, Masia One and the girls @ Ardtrea PS

Autograph sessions @ Ardtrea P.S.

Ardtrea Cumberland Beach PS was one of my favorite schools on the tour so far!  The show was set up in the library and we arrived 20 minutes early.  I sat and read any book that interested me while waiting…I learned about the craters of the moon, Harriet Tubman (can’t believe she died at 90!), pirates, the ocean…you name it.  It has been a long while since I’ve been in a library and just had the luxury to peruse the pages and pictures.  I don’t care if I sound like nerd…it was so wonderful!  The girls ranging from grade 4 to 8 were so engaging and asked questions deeper than i’ve been asked by most reporters I’ve encountered.  One gyal asked how I felt inside when I was performing.  I told her I felt brave and wanted to make music that made people feel brave.

Lady Mackenzie, Coboconk!!!  Met some sister Bgirls doing the boogie in the RETURN OF THE BGIRL Tees!  Do that thing do that thing do it! Thank you to all the lovely ladies that we met at this school.