Mykki Blanco’s career has essentially been a huge middle finger to the mainstream music industry, so it was disheartening last year when news broke that the New York-based rapper was quitting music to focus on journalism.
A year later, the punk-influenced MC seems to be going full-throttle, with mixtapes, singles and a debut studio album in the works. Last year, Blanco signed a deal with !K7 Records to release his first album – reportedly due this summer – and distribute his Dogfood Music Group imprint, which released Mykki Blanco Presents C-ORE, a compilation of experimental, industrial and hip-hop music.
The comp aims to expand notions of African-American music, but one of Blanco’s contributions – Coke White, Starlight – also serves as a blunt-force reminder that he can still spit beastly bars. And a recent remix of Macy Rodman’s underground queer club hit Lazy Girl has only stoked our anticipation further. Ahead of the album release, Blanco hits Toronto in late May.
At the Velvet Underground (510 Queen West) on May 26. Doors 8 pm. $15. On sale now. rotate.com,soundscapesmusic.com, ticketweb.ca.
GROUP THERAPY: BOOKWORMS, SISTEM Bambi’s doors 10. $10 adv. eventbrite.ca. April 15.
MICHAEL HURLEY, SANDRO PERRI Array Space Quiet Quiet Annex Lights Series. Doors 8 pm, all ages. $15. ticketscene.ca. April 23.
TORONTO PLAYS ITSELF: MAYLEE TODD, CLAIRMONT THE SECOND, PETRA GLYNT, ABSOLUTELY FREE DJS The Garrison doors 8 pm. $10, adv $6. eventbrite.ca. May 3.
HALLYU NORTH EXPO WITH SHINEE AND MORE Enercare Centre K-pop and Korean culture convention. $75-$270. hallyunorth.com. May 6-7.
FEAST IN THE EAST 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW FRIES, HORSE LORDS, CARL DIDUR, MATROX, BLONDE ELVIS, GERMAPHOBES AND MORE Anchored Social Club 9 pm. $10, all ages. caskmusic.ca, rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com. May 6-7.
MOOD II SWING, TYRONE SOLOMON, TORONTO HUSTLE The Den Boogie Inc 10-year Anniversary. Doors 9 pm. $20. wantickets.com. May 7.
LEE SCRATCH PERRY Danforth Music Hall doors 7 pm. $33.50-$43.50. ticketmaster.ca. May 14.
AFTERLOVE (EP RELEASE), RUNNING VIOLET, NAVIGATE THE SKY, JAMIE GABANNI, MR DASH Lee’s Palace doors 8:30 pm. $10 at the door. May 14.
ANTI-FLAG Velvet Underground doors 8 pm. $22.50. On sale now. ticketweb.ca. May 14.
ROYCE DA 5’9” Mod Club doors 7 pm. $25. On sale now. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, playderecord.com,ticketfly.com. May 17.
WORLD FIDDLE DAY Fort York 10 am-5:30 pm. worldfiddledaytoronto.ca. May 21.
ADULT MOM Smiling Buddha doors 8 pm. $10.50. On sale now. ticketfly.com, rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com. May 23.
THE RANGE, ROME FORTUNE Velvet Underground doors 9 pm. $15. ticketweb.ca. May 25.
MYKKI BLANCO Velvet Underground doors 8 pm. $15. soundscapesmusic.com, rotate.com, ticketweb.ca. May 26.
MARTIN SEXTON Mod Club doors 6:30 pm. $25.50. On sale now. ticketfly.com, rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com. May 28.
C.W. STONEKING Drake Hotel doors 8 pm. $16.50. soundscapesmusic.com, rotate.com, ticketfly.com. June 1.
HOODED FANG Horseshoe doors 9 pm. $10.50. soundscapesmusic.com, rotate.com, horseshoetavern.com. June 3
SUMMER OF SOCA & REGGAE FESTIVAL Wild Water Kingdom (Brampton) doors 1 pm. $55-$270. sosfestinc.com. June 4-5.
BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE Adelaide Hall doors 8 pm. $25. On Sale now. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketfly.com.June 11.
SALES Drake Hotel doors 8 pm. $13.50. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketfly.com. June 11.
PROJEK: SESSIONS WITH ANDY C, ARMANNI REIGN, MARCUS VISIONARY, LUSH, HYDEE MAISON Mercer doors 10 pm. $40-$46. wantickets.com. June 17.
AWOLNATION, IRONTOM Sound Academy doors 6:30 pm. $39.50. On sale April 1. ticketmaster.ca. June 19.
SOAK Velvet Underground doors 8 pm. $15. On sale now. ticketweb.ca. June 21.
POISON THE WELL Opera House doors 8 pm. $15. $26.50. ticketmaster.ca. June 22.
FITZ & THE TANTRUMS Danforth Music Hall doors 7 pm, all ages. $30-$40. On sale April 1. ticketmaster.ca. June 25.
NOGOD Mod Club doors 7 pm. $45. ticketmaster.ca. June 29.
THE TALLEST MAN ON Earth Danforth Music Hall doors 7:30 pm. $39.50-$59.50. On sale now. July 11.
ZEDS DEAD Echo Beach doors 3 pm. $20-$60. On sale now. ticketmaster.ca. August 12.
BILLY CURRINGTON Danforth Music Hall doors 7 pm. $TBA. ticketmaster.ca, rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com.September 7-8.
