|
Soul-R
"Your Queen can't touch my King, 'cause I'm playing with 8 Rooks!" ~Soul-R~  Enlightenment flows through many channels - Revolution in many forms. For some, Nirvana is attained through deep meditation and acts of selflessness and piety. Others seek to achieve spiritual elevation through the balance between ancient philosophy and modern-day schools of thought. Then, there are those who choose to blaze trails all their own - by permeating a spiritual essence that is uniquely individual. For Soul-R, the journey to self-awakening comes in the form of "enlightenment through entertainment". Over the last 4 years, Soul-R has taken Toronto’s spoken-word industry by storm at an alarming rate - with the intense staccato of his lyrical prowess and melodic execution. Dub Poet, MC, Lyricist, Music Producer are but a few of the titles that the Trinidad/Canadian native has under his belt, with the expansion of his professional career quickly growing to incorporate music production, video production as well as graphic design. Since 2003, Soul-R has been dazzling audiences across Toronto with his powerfully edutaining performances. On stage, Soul-R delivers a highly energetic and deeply profound presentation. Off stage, he appears thoughtful, introspective and meditative. In reality, Soul-R is all these things and more. His compelling performances are intensely thought-provoking with a sophisticated approach to conveying his messages of enlightenment. Although soft spoken by nature, Soul-R uniquely combines fierce blazing spoken word with melodic undertones of reggae and dub poetry with carefully strategic pauses to allow listeners moments of reflection. Quickly blossoming under Soul-R's well-guided direction, 8 Rooks Enlightenment seeks to provide the masses with “enlightenment through entertainment”. Building bridges on a foundation dedicated to “the upliftment of mind, body, spirit and soul”. Established in 2004, the ever-expanding company web-site, 8Rooks.Com, hosts a wide variety of content, articles, spoken word poetry pieces, event listings and a vibrant market place as well as links to many community resources. “I want to take this to higher heights,” says Soul-R. “My mission is to give people a deeper insight, deal with the essence of core issues, so we can actually start seeing some positive changes in our society.” |
|
EvE ccx Main: (416) 875-5514 E-Mail: isis_foundation@hotmail.com, eve@8rooks.com or godcollective_media@hotmail.com |
|
Lady Loxx
|
|
heron jonse
 “An emerging author and spoken word artist on the Toronto poetry scene. He has self-published a poetry chap book and has recently completed a live spoken word CD called Accapella Rhymes, featuring DJ 187 and Marky B the Human Sound Machine. He describes his poetry as a gut-wrenching reminder of things we would rather not talk or think about. He has been a guest on CTV's TalkTV promoting National Poetry Month 2001, and has been nominated for an Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC) award. Main: (416) 722-4781 Website: www.poeticsoul.ca E-mail: kevinjones@poeticsoul.ca |
|
Lisa “Luscious” Tai
“A poetess, songstress, humanist, lover, earth goddess, activist, slave to no other. A passionate Piscean and a devout daydreamer, her creative style is versatile and textured. Rhyming with honest emotion, her delivery is intelligently seductive with a hip-hop edge and jazzy smoothness. Using thought-provoking lyrics and witty wordplay, she speaks candidly about relationships, sexuality, spirituality, positivity, social consciousness, and self-awareness. The essence of her poetry is truth. She proudly reps: the Sisters of Saraswati all-female collective; and the mixed ascension movement.” |
|
Al St. Louis
 CEO/Host/Entrepreneur, Al St. Louis, was introduced to the Art of Spoken Word - a life changing experience! He fell in love with the art form immediately; particularly the stage and the power that both bring to the artist and the audience. Quickly realizing that Spoken Word is a medium through which positive change can be achieved, he set out to make that change by creating this organization, appropriately named When Words Are Spoken. This ongoing event dedicated to showcasing talent within Toronto and its surrounding area was St. Louis' brainchild in response to the lack of opportunity that existed for gifted Toronto-based artists to perform and acquire much needed exposure. He continues to be diligent in providing this platform for musicians, artists of the Spoken Word and other artistic genres to share their thoughts and talent with a growing number of followers. St. Louis has performed his own brand of spiritually intense Spoken Words on many stages in Toronto, sharing the spotlight with various established artists. His passion for life is evident not only in the painstaking effort he applies to setting up his entertaining shows, but also in his writing style and delivery. Audiences at his events experience a spiritual awakening of sorts. His words alter one's perspective on the man-made "absolutes" of this world, as his voice resonates through the rafters of each venue powerfully, rhythmically, “Poetically”…gently expanding minds made narrow by social pressure. A new school of thought…a new system of, what Al refers to as OVERstanding. Each show is marked with a specific theme geared towards enlightening the mind, body and soul, because again…When Words Are Spoken was founded under the belief that “Spoken Word is the medium from which change will come.” And Al’s goal is to be one of the leaders advocating for this change, while providing a stage for other leaders to share their vision. Main: (416) 629-4079 Website: www.whenwordsarespoken.com E-Mail: info@whenwordsarespoken.com
|
Jason Humphreys Kinte  Jason Humphreys Kinte uses his poetry to encourage all of us to see past material goals and embrace the free gift of eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ, He has attempted to share the most valuable lessons he has learned about how to live a fruitful life full of joy on the life strategy website: www.phreeshares.com. Website: www.torontopoets.com E-Mail: jasonkinte@torontopoets.com
|
The Split
"I am a made woman. Made by experience, generosity and a need to release my pain and shame in the search of Therapy through Spoken Word Poetry!" –The Split- Website: www.thesplit.ca E-Mail: thesplitca@yahoo.ca
|
|
Dwayne Morgan
 “Dwayne Morgan began his career as a spoken word artist in 1993, and has since traveled throughout the world sharing his work. He is the founder of Up From The Roots entertainment, which was established in 1994 to promote the positive artistic contributions of African Canadian and urban influenced artists. At age thirty, Dwayne’s popularity has lead to mainstream recognition in Now Magazine, Eye Magazine, the National Post, the Toronto Sun, Word Magazine, and the Toronto Star. Dwayne has also been featured on the CBC's Evening News and Zed, TSN's Off The Record, Much Music's DaMix and Rap City, TV Ontario’s Imprint, and OMNI 1’s In the Black. Dwayne’s work has also been used by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and Much Music’s Urban Station, Much Vibe. Dwayne has shared the stage with many of Toronto's top artists including Glenn Lewis, Maestro, Kardinal Offishal, Choclair, Jully Black, K-OS, and Saukrates, while also opening for Alicia Keys, Mutabaruka, Ursula Rucker, Saul Williams, Les Nubians, Christian McBride, and author Colin Channer. Dwayne’s hard work and persistence were rewarded in 1998 when he received both the African Canadian Achievement Award for Youth Achievement, and the prestigious Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in the Arts. Since his first release in 1995 (Straight From The Roots), Dwayne has self published two chapbooks, and two full volumes of his work. Dwayne’s live album, “The Evolution”, entered the world in late 2000, with the accompaniment of some of Toronto’s most talented musicians and vocalists. Released almost at the end of the year, The Evolution received Album of the Year accolades from Toronto Newspaper The Caribbean Camera, and the 2001 Inaugural Canadian Urban Music Award for Best Spoken Word Recording. The track ‘Everything’ from the album gained international success, first through being licensed to the Urbanicity Record label in Chicago, then being licensed and remixed by Counterpoint Records in the UK. “Everything’ also appears on Counterpoint’s Jazz Bizznizz 3 compilation album, as well as the Jazz Cats compilation from Japan. With performances throughout Canada, the U.S., England, Germany, Barbados, France, Hungary, Jamaica, and Amsterdam under his belt, Dwayne is well on his way to becoming an internationally recognized artist. Dwayne is the first spoken word artist to perform in the Barbados Conga line Music Festival. He has also appeared in Toronto’s DuMaurier and Distillery Jazz festivals, as well as the Vancouver Folk Festival, Calgary’s Wordfest, the St. Louis Spoken Word Expo, Virginia’s Word Up, and Toronto’s Urban and Irie Music Festivals. In 2003 Dwayne released his highly anticipated follow up album, Soul Searching, which features the band Panafrotix, and the sultry vocals of seven time Juno nominee, Lorraine Reid. Soul Searching took home the 2003 Canadian Urban Music Award for Best Spoken Word Recording. As a producer, Dwayne has now produced over 100 events from R&B showcases, to dance productions, spoken word concerts and open mics, workshops, and a variety of other special events. His largest events are the annual spoken word concerts, When Brothers Speak, and When Sisters Speak. Dwayne is also the brainchild and Producer of the Toronto International Poetry Slam, which came into existence during the summer of 2003. Dwayne’s work ethic and emphasis on quality has driven his success, and has made him a well respected component of Toronto’s urban music community, as well as the North American spoken word scene. Main: (416) 822-1465 Website: www.upfromtheroots.ca E-Mail: dmorgan@upfromtheroots.ca |
|
Hajile Kalaike
 “Originally from Maryland, Toronto's "love poet" Hajile Kalaike is known for his smooth and jazzy renditions of inspiring prose. As a spoken word professional, Hajile strives to excel in the Poetic Arts and reach as many listeners and readers as possible. After performing for over seven years in the Toronto urban scene and in the United States, hosting his own open mic poetry show and being involved in countless community workshops and talent nights, Hajile is well-known for his peaceful approach and positivity. Hajile cites Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz) and John William Coltrane as two of his major influences or as he calls them, his "spiritual fathers". This is one of the main reasons why Hajile is so revolutionary, progressive, thoughtful and melodious. Hajile specializes in poetry about Life: love, erotica, relationships, community and spiritual enlightenment. Many eagerly anticipate the arrival of Hajile's long-awaited first book, "Kinetic Manuscripts Vol.: Petals from the Black Lotus". Hajile poetically manifests and truly represents Love and Wisdom to the fullest.“ Main: (647) 292-6758 E-Mail: starandcrescent@hotmail.com or haj@blackplanet.com
|
|
Unblind Africanus
 E-Mail: unblind@hotmail.com Website: www.unblind.net |
Freelance Writer/Artist, EvE A. Labi, is the Founder/C.E.O. of I.S.I.S. CIRCLE – a performing arts company born of a cultural mission to promote positive images of Afrikan womb-en in the media – by providing them with venues to artistically redefine cultural misconceptions & stereotypes. EvE A. Labi is also the Editor-In-Chief of 8Rooks.com – as well as a Contributing Writer for both PoeticSoul.Ca and DAfroBean.Com. When words seem to carry too much weight, EvE A. Labi serves as Director of Marketing and Media for G.O.D. Collective – a community organization dedicated to the re-education of the Afrikan community through public-awareness.
Spoken word has given Lady Loxx the opportunity be unconventional, creative, and brilliant while maintaining her individuality. Her voice is a soulful expression of her inner spirituality that comes from her Jamaican background and her African heritage. Her work is the evolution of Dub Poetry incorporating a groundbreaking style that is both traditional and cutting edge. Spoken word is the medium that she uses to inspire others to seek a higher level of consciousness and unselfish upliftment. Her perseverance through adversity is a positive message that will motivate and encourage others with her personal experiences and philosophies. 
