by SCOTT C

In recent years, certain members of the Montreal hip hop community have made it their business to challenge audiences with new music and global interpretations of urban culture. This week, Elephriends Productions embark on the third edition of what has become an annual, multidisciplinary hip hop event called Hold Up Mental.

Hold Up Mental III: Pewkayal, taking place at the MAI, is an event that will make for a hefty helping of local and international talent, featuring Nomadic Massive, Kalmunity, ENTRAMA (Chile), Obsesion (Cuba) and MC Foblaze (France/Ivory Coast), plus visual arts, dance, poetry, VJs and DJs. On Friday, May 5, projections from Montreal filmmakers Stéphane Verna and Jose Garcia share the screen with Maryse Legagneur’s award-winning documentary Au nom de la mère et du fils, following the story of young Haitians living in Saint-Michel. Saturday, May 6, is when the musicians hit the stage, but you can find out more detailed information at www.elephriends.org.

I was laughing out loud this week when I spotted A-Trak on E-Talk Daily. Although Alain Macklovitch has been a bona fide celebrity in the minds of Montrealers for some time, little Tanya Kim was chompin’ at the bit trying to get Kanye information from him. He modestly stated that Kanye was simply very good at surrounding himself with very talented people. Obviously.

While on the phone with a friend of mine from Toronto, I was asked if Pop Montreal had realized that it’s in their best interest to include the local hip hop scene in their festivities. I couldn’t rightly answer a question like that, but I certainly hope so. There’s lots of room for indie acclaim in this town, and you don’t have to play a guitar or have 10 people in your band to pull it off.

Before I forget, remember that the Streets and Lady Sovereign will be in town for a show at the Spectrum on June 22. That should give you plenty of time to book off work, scrape together some ticket money and buy some new shoes for the night. Just letting you know.

Those of you interested in applying for this year’s Red Bull Music Academy can keep your eyes peeled for the application forms that should be surfacing any day now. This year’s session takes place in Australia, which should make for a great trip. If you don’t know, Red Bull organizes this all-expenses-paid trip to their new-music seminar for about 40 lucky internationals every year, so make sure you at least apply. Check out www.redbullmusicacademy.com for all the details, plus oodles of lectures, podcasts and videos of legendary and influential musicians from all walks of music.

Seven reasons change is your friend:
1. The Bamboos “Transcend Me” (Tru Thoughts)
2. Matthew Herbert Big Band ft. Jamie Lidell “Everything’s Changed” (BBE)
3. Avila Brothers “The Mood pt. 2” (Thump)
4. Muggs & GZA “Those That’s Bout It” (Fontana)
5. The Katzenjammers “Cars” (Red Hook)
6. Goodvibe “Don’t Mind at All” (independent)
7. The Time “The Walk” (Warner)

CHEW YOUR FOOD, DUMMY... fathead@videotron.ca

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