Sumiko Wilson
Samuel Engelking
Review: Nine days after getting held up at the border, Burna Boy made his triumphant Toronto debut
The Nigerian afrobeats singer had a disappointing false start last weekend, but he made up for it with a concert that showed his full star power Read more
Review: Toronto R&B singer Amaal's Black Dove EP is a multi-faceted introduction
Her debut, though short, is well-rounded, exploring her identity as a woman coming into her own Read more
Maggie Stephenson
Veld Festival 2019: Cardi B's clipped set, Jaden Smith's buzz cut and more
The annual EDM mega-fest brought sensory overload, big-name headliners and a nightmare of a time getting out of Downsview Park. Here's what stood out. Read more
Frank Fieber
Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2019: 13 can't-miss parties and concerts
Soca royalty, trap karaoke, a Sean Paul pool party – here’s where you should be Read more
Samuel Engelking
Review: Higher Brothers raise questions of cultural appropriation at Rebel
Higher Brothers, the Chinese rap group brought unwavering energy and undeniable bangers to their concert at Toronto's Rebel, but their immersion into western hip-hop culture opens up a larger conversation. Read more
David Lee/Netflix
TV review: Nola Darling is still elusive in She’s Gotta Have It season 2
Spike Lee expands the pansexual Brooklynite's world, but the Netflix series's second season frequently falls back on caricature Read more
Jeffrey Ace Fulgar
Five things we learned from Hxouse’s women-led entrepreneur panel
The Weeknd’s creative incubator hosted a conversation with model Bella Hadid, actor La La Anthony, Blavity founder Morgan DeBaun and more Read more
Philip-Daniel Ducasse
Interview: Leikeli47 takes us behind the mask
One of hip-hop's most fascinating rising stars, the Leikeli47 talks vulnerability, confidence and the Black experience Read more
Review: Solange celebrates Black Americana on triumphant When I Get Home
Album review: Solange, When I Get Home – with her dreamy tribute to her Houston roots, the R&B/soul auteur shows the South has still got something to say. Read more
Lil Berete warned to stop shooting music videos at Toronto Community Housing
Rising Regent Park rapper Lil Berete was sent a cease-and-desist by TCHC about the videos shot at the housing project he lives at with his mom – some of which have topped 1 million views. Read more
Tanja-Tiziana
These Toronto concerts grabbed news headlines in 2018
From Pusha T's Danforth Music Hall brawl to Gordon Lightfoot calling last call at Massey Hall (for now), these Toronto concerts resonated beyond the stage. Read more
Samuel Engelking
Lil Berete is breaking out internationally, but his heart is still in Regent Park
17-year-old Toronto rapper Lil Berete is finally making his hometown headlining debut, and it's on his home turf. Read more
The 10 best Toronto albums of 2018
What does Toronto sound like? This year's best local albums, as voted by NOW critics, offered many different ways to hear it Read more
Adam Appugliesi
Pusha T's Toronto concert shut down after onstage brawl
We were in the crowd when chaos broke out at Pusha T's Danforth Music Hall show in Toronto after people threw drinks – and then punches. Here's what happened. Read more
Samuel Engelking
What does it mean for a Toronto artist to "make it" in the music industry?
Local and international musicians came together to discuss the meaning of success at the opening of the new Toronto arts incubator Hxouse. Read more
Samuel Engelking
Review: The Weeknd shares the spotlight at Rebel
A roll-call of rising Canadian and American artists including Gunna, NAV and Bryson Tiller helped the Toronto pop superstar launch his creative entrepreneurship incubator Hxouse Read more
Rising Toronto R&B singer Ebhoni goes back to her roots
Ahead of her performance at Red Bull Music Festival's Collision showcase, Toronto singer Ebhoni tells us why she's no longer blonde – and how that links her to the city's exciting freshman class of artists. Read more
Katie Lavoie
Who is responsible for harm reduction at Toronto music venues?
DJs and club-goers came together to discuss safe drug use in Toronto's party scene at Something Special’s Community Meeting. Read more
R. Kelly Clipperton
Toronto's John Orpheus bring Afro-diasporic music downtown
Toronto's John Orpheus debut their dreamy new Lost video and talk about Haus Orpheus, their DIY collective creating space for their community in the city. Read more
Beyoncé and Jay-Z find the true meaning of reconciliation on Everything Is Love
Beyoncé and Jay-Z's new album as The Carters, Everything Is Love, reconciles infidelity and betrayal, but also humility vs. hubris and the realities of Blackness vs. the privileges of wealth. Read more