Culture

Following my recent marijuana hiatus, which will likely be interrupted for The Roots show this week, a few things have changed in my life. I now get up at 8 a.m. almost every morning, I stopped eating 9 times a day, and I don't allow myself to sit through stoner talk for more then 10 minutes.

Addictiv isn't afraid to throw down a challenge, especially a big one, when it comes to two of her closest passions: music and Canada. She's stamping herself as the Canadian queen of hip-hop and R&B, and is ready, even encourages, anyone who wants to challenge her.

Students Taking Action Now (STAND) Concordia is organizing Rock Darfur, a benefit concert March 15 at Club Lambi. Bands featured are: La Defense, NateEscape, Heruba, Feel Gud and Polar Eyes. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders. STAND consists of Concordia students seeking to raise awareness about the major humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Greetings Dudes and Dudettes, A heated debate has emerged in the world of hip-hop heads in the past few months following Nas' latest half-decent album Hip Hop Is Dead. Basically, it revolves around this very important existential question: Is hip hop, in fact, dead? There's a million different ways to answer this which leads to a million more questions and debates.

"We're going to hell in a handbag!" Tamara Nile devilishly exclaimed. "We tend to think we're screwed and things can look really daunting, but that attitude doesn't help. I believe that even in the face of things looking terrible, we have immense creative power.

In this hip-hop world full of death threats and drug talk, a rap group full of nice guys that just want to party, spread good vibes, and please the girls is hard to come by. Fortunately, upon hearing French rap collective TTC, one needs to look no further.

This Toronto trio is definitely playing outside the lines and breaking all the rules. Best of luck categorizing this breed of rock from guitar/vocalist Brent Jackson, bassist Matthew Jameson and dummer Michael Taylor. The Junction's self-titled album begins with the hard rocking opener "Station Me" then smoothly and nearly flawlessly shifts into alt-rock emo sounds and indie-rock territory.

Of Montreal, (not actually of Montreal) paints the darkness of depression with vivid color and glitter. This quintet from Athens Georgia, fronted by guitarist/vocalist Kevin Barnes, are currently on tour supporting their eighth album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer, a full length recording of contradictory delight.

For better or for worse; Dean and Britta side by side like Bonnie and Clyde. He is the former front man of the bands Galaxie 500 and Luna. She is the singing voice behind animated sensation JEM & the Holograms. Guitarist/vocalist Dean Wareham and bassist/vocalist Britta Phillips are husband and wife and psych-folk duo Dean & Britta.

Currently on a tour of the U.S. to promote his latest album Atlantis: Hymns for the Disco, K-Os took some time to speak with The Concordian about his experience as a black musician in Canada and internationally. Was moving back to Ontario from Trinidad difficult? What kind of changes did you experience going from one place to another? When I moved to Trinidad I was a Canadian kid with a Canadian accent.

Chantal Kreviazuk conquered the stage at Spectrum de Montreal on Friday, March 2. From the moment that I stepped into Spectrum, the atmosphere was already set for a night of brilliant music. It was an intimate experience sitting at closely arranged tables, sipping drinks under romantically dimmed lighting.

With my heart pounding and palms sweating, I nervously dialled his number. The ringing was interrupted by a friendly, inviting "Hello?" If I hadn't been leaning against the back of my couch, the only sound Dominic Cifarelli would have heard through the phone line was the "thud" of my unconscious body hitting the floor.