Music Spotlight: Ladies First Edition

Note: The reason why I put DJ Lissa Monet as the header of this post is because she embodies everything about the Ladies First Spotlight I am doing she is well-renowned female DJ that is still holds it down as a lady but can tussle with the big boys when it comes to the ones and twos. Check out her blog as well Yea I am back again one more time for your mind, ok ok I know that was a bit wack but yes, I am back with another Music Spotlight edition. This one is called Ladies First and it will be talking about some of the leading ladies of the Toronto music scene that I am proud to be spotlighting. Honestly, there hasn't been a female artist that I have really liked other than Michie Mee and Esthero and clearly I am talking way because I haven't even hit double digits when I started listening to them. So clearly you know I was a youngin' but of recent there has been many females on the come up that are doing their thing and I must say they are doing a damn good job. Whether it may be singing or flowing they are doing it in such a raw format and its very real. Some of the females that I am going to touch base on are T.Ana Cole, Kim Davis, Andreena Mill (first lady of ATF), Jordhanna, and Melanie Fiona. These ladies right here are kicking down the doors and they are doing their thing to the fullest, but I'd like to isolate all of them so everybody can get a better picture of what they are about individually and how they contribute to the strong female movement that is starting to take rise in the city. Without further ado let's get into it shall we: Kim Davis What can I say about this woman she is sooo talented and she reminds me of a young Mary J. Blige. Like her lyrics are sooo real and she has that type of voice where it emotionally grabs you and just takes you away to a different space. So basically this is how I felt when I heard Hush ft. Sizzla, I'm telling you no lie a single tear dropped out my eye because it was one of those songs that were so beautiful, it didn't make no sense. I'm gonna tell you right after that song came out I went into a heavy search for this song, believe me it took me along time. But during that search I found out alot of information about her, and some of it I can understand as to why it would translate in her lyrics/music also her overall insight into love and relationships. First off: --she didn't have the easiest upbringing --trying to accomplish her dreams werent easy either --and having to go through things that made her grow up quite quickly BUT: In the end she has prevailed and some of her accomplishments are: --having her first single "Hush" ft. Sizzla played on Hot 97 (New York City's premier hiphop radio station) --she hasn't released an album as of yet but she has been listed as the top MySpace Canada R&B artists --has won two awards from WBLK as unsigned hype artist But I think the most surreal experience that made me even more of a believer was when I got to see her perform LIVE. O M G that Kim Davis sounds amazing on records but she sounds A-MAZ-ING LIVE. To tell you the truth she sang so well I secretly wanted to cry but I couldn't I didn't want to look like a punk. But all jokes aside her voice literally spoke to my soul it was like listening to a young Mary J. Blige or when Keyshia Cole first started her career. She had a voice that really spoke to you and honestly it was quite the experience, so if you guys ever get a chance to see Ms. Kim Davis LIVE it's worth the experience. T.Ana Cole Don't sleep on this girl please do not sleep on her, she is an amazing talent. The way I even heard about her was through some of the rap mixtapes i have been listening to but the one in particular was the Rich Kidd mixtape. One song in particular that made me really go hmm this grrl is quite talented was when I heard the Timid track feat. Rich Kidd, first off I'd like to agree with the comparisons she does sound like Coco from SWV but personally I think she sounds like Nicole Wray sometimes. But yea like her bio says the comparisons end there, she has a very cool old school r&b tone that honestly is very soothing and she performs melodies so well. I think I could go on forever about how much I think she embodies feelings in her music but in a way where she doesn't have to heavily belt (in other words you dont't always have to yell in a song to be considered a singer). She sings with so much ease that her songs send you on a bit of a musical journey. But here are some interesting tidbits about her: --she won the 2006 Honey Jam Showcase --she is not only a singer but she is also a graduate from Seneca College's Independent Music Production Program (got a smart cookie on our hands [my jokes r hella corny]) --and is now a new addition added to RefecLife Entertainment The Miss T. Ana Cole hailing from Sauga City is a force to be reckoned with and honestly just from hearing her tracks I know the day when I get to here her LIVE I will not be disappointed. Her track Timid ft. RichKidd is now on itunes so go download it and support this girl she is one of the voices of the future. Andreena Mill Like Rihanna's track this lady right here is SO HARD! What? Don't get me started i am practically in love with her mixtape Ready To Fly hosted by DJ Lissa Monet. I hate to compare but honestly I feel like her & kim davis really know how to sing so well about love and pain. But back to Andreena, to tell the truth I have known about this singer for a minute, but word some days I think I'm slow it was like she was known but still unknown to me. But now that I have completely familiarized myself with this young lady I am genuinely anticipating for her to really have the hugest debut of life (not sure of that makes sense) but that's how talented she is to me in my eyes. Many of you probably are like who is she? But I'm telling you at one moment or another many of you guys have heard her on tracks and didn't know it was her. For example --for a minute there was the Replacement Girl (Female version) floating around. . .YUUUUP that was her --she also sang on the Closer joint with Drake on his Comeback Season mixtape --not to mention if you guys didn't know she is the first lady of ATF (All Things Fresh) Andreena brings so much promise into the world of music and just like the other two ladies that I have already mentioned, she will be leaving such an incredible mark once her stars are aligned at the right time. She has been around for awhile but expect alot of great things from Ms. Mill real soon! Jordhanna This chick has such a wicked flow I loves it! I am a nicki minaj fan plz believe but when I listen to Jordhanna spit I feel like I'm back in the 90s listening to Lauryn Hill because believe it or not people you don't have to rap about your body parts to be good. She has released 3 mixtapes (but I have the last two): Longkiss Goodnight: Mixtape I, Box On Smash: Mixtape II and Classics In Session: Mixtape III, which are both hosted by DJ Craig Brooklyn. These mixtapes are fire and honestly she takes classic beats and rips them apart. At first glance she is very beautiful but as soon as you listen to her rhymes, it's one of those "don't let the pretty face fool you" moments. She is actually soooo talented some days it shocks me because I would never have guessed it. But between the two mixtapes I think it's Box on Smash because she takes recent beats and does them justice! Her vocal delivery is soft but her punchlines hit hard, she is one of those rappers where you are forced to listen and you won't be disappointed as to what you will hear. She has a flow where you know she is just going to spit that real shit and not a whole bunch of garbage that isn't really necessary. She is on the come up and I can't wait to hear more from this young lady, she is HELLA liive people, you need to take her in. Thanks Miss Mary For Putting Her Out! Melanie Fiona BANG BANG BANG! Yes she has shot me down, but I die with happiness. Melanie Fiona is about to be the biggest thing to come out of Toronto since the days of Deborah Cox and Tamia. She has now crossed over into the American market and it seems along with Drake she is another ambassador of the city. So far I dont even know what to say about her that can make people really fathom how extremely talented she is, but she sings well and clearly writes wells since she is a songwriter making her music that much more honest. The first time I heard "Give It To Me Right" I was like yessir this is my new anthem not to mention I'm such an Amy Winehouse head that any instrumental that sounds the least bit jazzy with a soulful voice I take to listening to it. And she continued to kill it especially on the "No Games" Remix w/ Serani I was like she can hop on anything and make it fire. Her debut album The Bridge is in stores right now so everybody should pick it up (I have yet to pick up mine school runs my life) but yes pick it up and support this girl. Vote for her video "It Kills Me" on 106 & Park and make sure it is in heavy rotation on your local radio station. Interesting tidbit: --she has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance so everybody make sure you watch the Grammys on January 31st and support our hometown girl. So to conclude don't sleep on any of these lovely young ladies because they are all the voices of the future, whether it maybe through rapping or singing. I wish all of them the best, I will be posting links and what not so everybody can visit their sites, download mixtapes, and what have you. Just click on the pictures and they will direct you to links of the featured artists. One day when I go further into my career as a journalist or a PR I will probably get the pleasure to interview these ladies. Thanx for reading and go out there and support! Speak Your Mind, But Hold That Thought!