The journey matters way more than the end point. As 2023 unfolds my focus is learning to live in the moment and appreciate blessings. This weekend added more gems to my vault of precious memories.
There is a lot to unpack in my brain. Seeing the similarities and differences between Montreal and Toronto was a vibe. I wanted to write this yesterday, but my senses were overloaded and I had no focus. The complete shock to my normal reality had finally caught up with me.
I was so mixed up I thought I had an interview scheduled. Rozwel made sure we were back on time and then I checked my phone. It was scheduled Apr 3rd, and I was like whoops. Within 45 minutes I crashed for a good nap.
I am super glad I got to rest, I was tired. Now I'm awake, wired and inspired. Also writing this on a keyboard is way easier than a phone.
Coffee on the road
I think I need to invest in a portable coffee maker. At home I wake up and I make a coffee. When you wake up in an Airbnb, it's a gamble if there will be coffee at the spot.
I've experienced both versions and this time there was no coffee. The Tim Hortons on Spadina and College Street was walking distance. It still took me quite some time to muster up the willpower to fight through my hangover and get to the Timmies.
I realized this weekend, that I would prefer to not have to leave the Airbnb to get coffee. I want to bust out a machine and make it happen. Haché and Lady Haché were wise and brought their own gear. I am now inspired.
Rozwel, Shobiz514 and I ended up venturing out at the same time. The first stop was to find a flower shop. We found one that was open on College Street and they went inside.
I don't share the same passion of shopping for flowers as these boys do. I went to find coffee. The first spot I found wanted to charge me 7$ for a coffee and I passed. Tim Hortons, being a few minutes up the street won me over.
Back at the flowers store, I found out there were free flower sticks available. All you had to do was follow their Instagram and open an account. The flower sticks they gave were so sticky icky they leaked on my fingers.
A new day, a new venue
In my heart and soul, I knew the words "Lose weight motherfucker" needed to be said to a beat in Toronto proper. While standing in the flower shop, Fred E. Fame contacted us and confirmed the venue location. It was 300 College Street.
We looked across the street and it said 294 College Street. Our little trio shared a moment of pure joy as we realized that the travel time from venue to Airbnb was about 5 minutes on foot. Spirits elevated, a mix of flower and circumstance, we ventured forth to explore the Kensington Market area.
Shobiz514 was up several hours before me and had walked around already. Shobiz514 is the map of the squad. This man's head stays on a swivel watching everything.
We find some fried egg sandwich spot. Shobiz and I walk in to check it out. I peep what people are eating and what the options were, and decide I'm not hungry enough for this yet. I also didn't know what tomato jam was (turns out it's bougee ketchup).
Shobiz got his sandwich and ate it. We filmed a quick food review in our efforts to embrace this new era of being influencers exploring the world. We continue our walk through the market. Rozwel definitely wants to hit that Rasta Pasta spot sometime.
Inevitably I find myself back at the Airbnb and I write my blog article.
Pregaming the show
On Spadina Sstreet, a brief walk from the Airbnb is this store that sells mushrooms. It's called Fun Guyz and it's storefront gets stuck in your head. Okay, me, it got stuck in my head.
While I wasn't seduced on Saturday, I did not feel like drinking on Sunday. I found myself instead heading over to this very store and purchasing a small chocolate bar containing a micro dose kind of night amount. I got back to the Airbnb and ate my first chunk.
In my experience with mushrooms, I'd rather be somewhere indoors when it kicks in. Turns out that indoors would be the venue, which is an arcade. I could feel the tingles of my trip elevating as we prepped to leave and head over to the venue.
We were all on different timelines with regards to food, energy and intent. Check in at the venue was 5:00 PM and we all wanted to sign in and get on with our evening. My high self thought it would be good to perform later in the night.
Turns out, not the best choice, but trust me I had a great time. Once we did the sign up my trip is underway. I know I sat at this table next to $eren!ty for a hott minute (if you from Montreal, this is a different person). $eren!ty be out there on her hustle, check out her stuff, she appears to be really trying to push.
Popeyes redeemed itself
Rozwel sent me this picture.
I instantly felt sad that I had not given Popeyes a fair chance. Everyone knows the spicey chicken sandwich is the flex. No one told our drunk selves to get 4-piece combos.
Seeing that chicken burger made me want a sandwich with no pickles. Since Popeyes is also located conveniently in this same area I left the venue and went to give this franchise more of my money.
I also was feeling more social now. To my surprise Haché and Lady Haché were there. This poor girl at the counter had no idea what she was in for.
It was 6:30 PM on a Sunday and I was impaired and Haché was Haché. As I order we start hearing "give me pickles", "I want his pickles" coming from an excited Haché.
I am adamant I don't want the pickles and he is adamant he wants my pickles. The cashier looked like she wanted both of us to get the fuck out of her store. We all get our food and then sat down.
Holy crap is the spicey chicken sandwich good. I need to compare NYC vs Toronto and see what I really think. I've had both, but neither sober.
Haché decides he wants free pickles. When Haché wants something his level of determination is sheer will. He got two free pickle slices. I ate no pickles that day.
Waiting for the show to begin
For the most part we had no idea what the details of the show were. Shobiz514 and I did a little song swap. We didn't want to do the same songs to the same crowd two days in a row.
Also, my ankle hurt a lot on Sunday. I got sturdy a lot on Saturday. I mean I was trying to flex in ways I would not do at home. I definitely left an impression.
Both on the people and my ankle.
I needed to do the alternate version of Lose Weight so I could do a calmer performance. Also, the mushrooms energy better suits that version of the song. The alcohol vibes suit the main version.
I begin chopping it up with people all over. In general, the vibe is great. I talk a lot a lot and mostly people were really cool with me.
I was too out of it to focus on video games. It was also fun to watch people play but after 30 seconds to a minute I'd feel the urge to move. On mushrooms I spin between hyper focused conversation and lost in my head.
The energy and ambiance of the evening was pretty nice. I liked where I was.
KID is something else
In our last blog Slomo got the love for being the super supporter. Sunday, KID came through and took that belt. He started the show off for us.
It took a bit to actually get started and KID just hype manned that entire room. We performed in a narrow hallway without an actual stage area. It looked like this.
The crowd lined up on both sides of the spot, next to the machines. KID ran back and forth taking full advantage of the wireless mic. You could hear KID but often you could not see KID.
The entire vibe of the performances would feel unlike the other venues I've seen. I can't say it was the best show environment, I can say I would want to rap in more arcades. Your audience definitely has something to do when they were bored.
This man with the Scotian rappers literally was playing Pac Man during people's sets. It didn't feel disrespectful, it made sense. Sometimes you have to play some Pac Man.
KID performed his heart out with more energy than I could muster. Then proceeded to throw his voice out hyping up everyone. He was so sincere in his support of the scene it sets an example for what we should try to be.
I am certain many people find him a little off putting with his enthusiasm. I prefer that than negative energy any day. He did come second place for hype man status pounding the stage on Saturday. KID appears to want to see things grow.
A lot of performances happen
I came to this Fred E. Frame networking concert to meet people. Fred E. collected a large number of artists and put them in a room. At rapid fire pace person after person performed.
In another frame of mind I may have regretted putting my name late. All things considered I didn't care that much. Saturday had gone well, Sunday was just overtime fun. Shroomies also makes it easy to not sweat the small stuff, but you will sweat a lot and I did.
There were two hosts there and they got turnt. As the night progressed I learned "ah ah ah ah" is some Toronto slang to hype people up. They introduced people with a lot of gusto, and each performed their own set. I was entertained.
There was also a documentary being filmed for Tory versus Meg. That became a theme of the night with several chants going on. I have no leg in that race. That documentary would be on Discovery Plus and interviews were filmed at the show. Also performances and footages would be used.
We didn't know it would be that when we signed up. I could probably regurgitate other people's opinions on the matter, but I don't care how it plays out. Maybe a blurry me ends up on Discovery Plus but I tried to stay out of that one.
The show almost ends early
I don't know what happened, but the DJ got mad. He started to pack up and was ready to get out of there. He looked like his threshold had been reached and there was nothing left in his tank.
I have very mixed feelings on this part. What I understand is this man worked 3 days in a row, more or less without a break doing these shows. He dealt with a lot of artists in that timeframe.
We were supposed to provide our songs early so that everything could be prepared ahead of time. The Sunday show however was not defined in the same way. I understand a lot of people wanted to switch songs from the ones that we had performed on Saturday.
if you got this far you know I did just that, but during the sound check part. I hear people did it during the show. Either way, whichever of the reasons it was, DJ snaps.
Person 20 had just performed. I was person 25. I came all the way from Montreal to rap in Toronto and I watch this DJ start to pack up. Without explanation to us.
I'm writing my PRSPCTV and I'm certain the DJ's PRSPCTV is valid. I emphasize heavily I don't really get what happened. I don't want to focus on the negative but if I'm being real about the night this has to be talked about.
The vibe left the building
I'm not hear to blame anyone. I don't know how the situation could have been handled better. I will say it got very tense for a minute, then it cooled off. It got so cold that at least half the crowd left.
I'm glad I was on shrooms as the energy in the room was a lot. I was calmer and more willing to ride the wave, embracing my inner Haché. The truth is my passion had left and I didn't want to perform anymore.
I am glad I did because once my song started I got lost in it and delivered a solid rendition of Obnoxis' version of Lose Weight. Fred E. cornered me after to make sure I knew I was good and looked cool doing it.
The thing is at this point we all felt weird. So, we were all like, respect the DJ. Be nice to the DJ. What the fuck else were we supposed to do? The DJ was in a sad mood and had given us nothing we could do to make the situation better.
Then he made a comment about how we should stop the respect talk after my set. Cool, then what do you want? You can't just end a show, kill the vibe and give us nothing. We didn't do anything to the DJ, but I do empathize with his situation.
My team nice with it
Shobiz514 came and performed. You have to understand there is a thick tension in the air and a crowd that is lifeless in front of this man. He still came correct and delivered his two tracks with finesse.
Shobiz also crushed it on Saturday. He made a great impression on the people he met. Watching him interact with people is like a masterclass in humility. He knows how to switch vibes to match whomever he is talking to with the finesse of a man who sells vegan food.
Smoking Ink always delivers. They are one of my favourite acts to watch live in Montreal. They delivered an early set on Saturday and bounced out to do a whole second show. Then came Sunday and waited all the way to nearly the end.
Then they reminded us that no matter what, you have to be amazing. Because they were. Haché asked the crowd to clap for themselves. They did not, so he made it clear that 95% of them were artists and they should clap for themselves. Then Smoking Ink performed like they were ready to clap for themselves every day of the week. I liked it.
O’Deriic is special
We met O’Deriic on Saturday. He invited Shobiz514 and I to come back on May 5th. They are doing a contest and there is a cash prize involved.
He also saw what I was doing with the pickles and made sure I knew I could have a merch booth.
I had one mission this weekend, find a dude with a kindred hustle I could build with. Granted I just met dude, but I feel that energy off his grind, and the moves he is making. He is also one of the only artists I saw pull up with some people beyond a significant other.
I missed his performance on Saturday due to extreme rum. Shobiz said he was surprised but what he saw and it was dope.
He performed between Shobiz and I. Broskis, I cannot tell you how incredible his voice is. He hit every note he sang clean. He also made sure we knew there were no backs, he was just singing that.
His music has soul, passion and I hate to admit this man outperformed me but he did. His voice is incredible, like at a tier where you realize how good people can be. His bio on Spotify says he has been singing since he was 3 and I believe it.
Follow this man.
Chinese food time
The posse heads on up Spadina hunting for food. Haché and Lady Haché go get Popeyes. I have had it twice and am like naw. We keep hunting for food.
We found a great restaurant (I say that post eating).
This guy at the counter saw his mark and hit us heavy. I think we collectively spent over 100$ on food that wasbeyond what makes sense at 12:30 AM. It was so worth it as it did feed me for two days and was pretty damned tasty. Big recommend.
In the store were two ladies, of the night, who had shots and chicken wings in front of them. When we walked in I just wanted those chicken wings so bad I had lust in my eye. The girls thought it was for them.
It was not, I told them the chicken wings looked good. One of the girls offered me one and I just grabbed it and ate it in their faces. Like high key I was kind of gross with it.
The entire time they tried to hit on us. I was still vibing on my high so I was down to talk. Plus I had just eaten a chicken wing.
As we waited for our food, they came at us hard. I guess I look like an easy target, but I told them three times I was on mush and just wanted food. They don't know that I'm pretty literal.
Back to the Airbnb
After the girls tried to solicit me, I just wanted them to admit what they wanted. They wouldn't say it directly, so we left. Look I was on mush and in that social part and that chicken wing was actually A+, I had so much fun with it.
Rozwel and Shobiz were like I am getting the fuck out of here. In hindsight, they had better judgement. However YOLO, I don't regret eating that wing at all.
With food in hand, giant very large portions of food, we head back to the Airbnb. Rozwel making sure no one is following us. You learn a lot about how to move watching other people move wiser than you.
Once back at the spot we bust open our food. Rozwel is disappointed heavy by the General Tao. The lemon chicken was brought his joy back though. I had only got the lemon chicken and fried rice, so I only had joy in that moment.
I wasn't quite ready for bed yet, so I chopped it up with Haché and Lady Haché. Around 2:00 AM I realized I had to be up early enough to pack up. Then I found the Deandre Young - Dr Phil episode and it was more like 2:45 before I went to bed.
The trip back was nice
I am a bad camera man on shrooms. Hell, half the pics in the last blog were from NuclearConvoy. That's why the pics just kind of stop in this one.
Our car ride home was Rozwel, Shobiz and I. It felt like a real bonding experience as we openly talked about different stuff. When you have 5 hours in a car, there's not that much else to do.
I feel like this trip was a success. I feel closer to the people I travelled with and feel more inspired as a person. Seeing my music connect in Toronto was a wonderful thing for me. There was a lot of people there on Saturday and the validated emotion is real.
We made it back safely and as I said at the beginning, I hit that nap hard. There's so much to think about still. Like what does unity even mean with regards to a music scene. How does that manifest?
Those are questions for another day.
Special thanks to R.A.P.
This didn't fit anywhere else so let's end with this as a Post-Script. Once upon a time I interviewed R.A.P.:
He felt a lot of appreciation for this. In front of the team he pulls out some flowery stuff, and 3 CDs and gifts it to me. We film it, and it's a moment. Turns out the camera was not recording.
We entertainers so we absolutely fake the moment and do it a second time. I don't yet have the footage but you'll see it pop up on a social media platform somewhere.
This meant a lot to me. To have someone express their appreciation so visibly touched my soul. Was a really cool moment.
Anyway that is all for today, I think this one is the longest blog article yet.
Live Long and Prosper Everyone