With April behind us, we can look forward to another month of exciting shows happening in a city near you. As you “May” know, Canadian Music Week will be occurring between May 6-10th in downtown Toronto with 1,000 showcasing bands and more than 60 live music venues. This month features artists such as Kid Ink, M.I.A., Bun B, and more. Check out our feature article on Events You Don’t Want To Miss (May 2014).
(Thursday May 1 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto)
California bred rapper Kid Ink will be making his way to Toronto for a performance at The Phoenix Concert Theater alongside Brooklyn rapper King Los. The two have taken the stage already in 16 cities for the “My Own Lane” tour with four more to go that stops in Toronto on May 1.
Why you should go: Kid Ink has spent the last two years perfecting the art of feel good music. Tickets to his concert may be sold out but we can say that everyone attending will certainly enjoy his set this night.
2. Embrace Presents Angel Haze
(Thursday May 1, 2014 @ The Hoxton Toronto)
Why you should go: Over the last 4 years, Angel Haze has worked hard to establish herself in the hip hop community and on Thursday, May 1, 2014, Embrace brings you the Detroit born rapper live in concert at The Hoxton in Toronto. Haze’s latest project, Dirty Gold, which also happens to be her first studio album was self released this past December via her personal Twitter account after numerous date changes being made by her label. Angel Haze is a storyteller who wants to share her passion for hip hop with you. This is one show all fans of the arts will enjoy
3. Canadian Music Week Presents M.I.A.
(Saturday, May 3, 2014 @ Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto)
Since beginning her recording career in 2002, M.I.A. has four studio albums to date including Arular, Kala, Maya, and her most recent, Matangi released in 2013. She is well known for fusing elements of dance, alternative, electronic, hip hop and world music.
Why you should go: The British-Sri Lankan recording artist has also been nominated for an Academy Award, two Grammy Awards and the Mercury Prize respectively. Having embarked on five global headlining tours, her show in Toronto will be one to remember.
4. The LOX (Jadakiss, Styles P, Sheek Louch)
(Tuesday May 6, 2014 @ Sound Academy, Toronto)
The Lox, consisting of East Coast rappers Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss will be performing for the first time together in Canada. The legendary hip hop group from New York released a surprise EP, The Trinity on December 18, 2013. It’s been a long journey for the collective throughout the years as each member continued to focus on their solo career as well. Hosted by Toronto comedian Trixx, we can assure you that this will be a night hip hop heads will never forget.
Why you should go: If you’ve ever had the opportunity to see each/all of these artists perform either solo or together, you can appreciate what they have done for music.
5. Bun B w/ special guest Thugli
(Sunday, May 4, 2014 @ The Hoxton, Toronto)
Bun B will be returning to Canada as part of his 8-city, “The Trillest” tour featuring special guest, Thugli. Beginning April 29th in BC, the trill OG will make his way to the Hoxton in Toronto on May 4, 2014. Last year, Bun B released his fourth studio album, Trill OG: The Epilogue as fans will now have a chance to see the Southern legend perform live.
Why you should go: When it comes to iconic figures in Hip Hop, Bun B stands tall among many others. Formerly one half of the rap duo UGK, Bun B has remained relevant in the rap scene today with more than 20 years in the industry.
6. Travi$ Scott with Special Guests
(Wednesday, May 7, 2014 @ Opera House, Toronto)
Why you should go: At only 20 years old, Travi$ Scott’s music has already taken him quite a few places, even if he isn’t famous enough to be recognized in any of them yet. He’s lived on the east and west coasts, as well as the “third coast” of his native Houston, Texas, but has seen exotic locales while traveling with the most famous of his early fans, Kanye West. Since meeting early last year, the two have spent countless hours in the studio, the fruits of which can be heard on “Sin City,” Scott’s standout contribution to the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel Summer.
7. HustleGRL’s Canadian Music Week Showcase
(Thursday, May 8, 2014 @ Tattoo, Toronto)
Canadian Music Week will begin on Tuesday, May 6, 2014. One of the highlights throughout the week will be hustleGRL’s very own showcase taking place on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Tattoo Queen West in Toronto. The event will feature some of the city’s biggest artists including Naturally Born Strangers, Tre Mission, The Airplane Boys and A-Game. Enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to this event!
Why you should go: This is definitely one of the highlights of CMW featuring Toronto’s hottest talent all under one roof. Don’t miss out!
8. Canadian Music Week: Flatbush Zombies
(Friday May 9, 2014 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto)
Hailing from Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York Zombie Juice, Meech and Erick aka Flatbush Zombies will be making their way to Toronto on May 9 for the third in just 2 years! The show which is set to take place at the Phoenix Concert Theater is apart of a weeklong music festival in honour of Canadian Music Week.
Why you should go: Why you should go: Between performing all over North America and the UK over the course of last year and then securing a spot at Coachella if there’s one thing Flatbush Zombies are good with it’s making sure that not only are they having a great time but also their fans that came out to support them. This concert will be full of crowd surfing and based on their tradition of smoking at their concerts the obvious inhale and exhale from their blunts. Prepare to be Zombified Toronto!
9. Funk Volume Presents Hopsin
Why you should go: With cover stories and a plethora of seven-figure Youtube content, the self-made talent is sticking to his formula on his third LP, Knock Madness. “It’s gonna be hard to top—I’m calling it right now,” he boasts, claiming it’s just “an enhancement” of his work. Moreover, he wants to punctuate his career. “this will probably be my last album for a long time.” elaborat- ing, the recluse promises “the biggest tour I’ve ever done, and I’m leavin’ for a while” as devotes his attention to Funk Volume. While controversy may have made Hopsin a star, skill and courage made him a fan favorite. Whether making art in his basement, crowd-surfing or skiing down Under, Hopsin has the attitude and charisma that makes Hip Hop unpredictable again.
(Friday May 16 at Wrongbar, Toronto)
Why you should go: It’s the ultimate, industry official HIP HOP party and performance series in Toronto. You get the best Hip Hop music, video’s and live performances in a cool, fun and relaxed environment. Hip Hop lives in Toronto and inside Wrongbar, every month! Get the full details about the musicians
10. Hoodie Allen presents Hanging with Hoodie Tour
(Saturday May 17 at Tattoo Queen West, Toronto.)
Why you should go: If you take a look at his tour dates on his website Hoodie Allen is sold out in over 25 cities from San Francisco, NYC, Toronto, Seattle and the list goes on. If you are a hardcore fan you might have your tickets already but don’t ever give up hope if you’re looking for tickets! Find the facebook event page for the city you want to attend, search on twitter, I’m sure someone will be selling their tickets.
11. The Palmer Squares Canadian tour
(May 15- May 18 from Montreal, QC, Kingston, Toronto and London, Ontario.)
Why you should go: The Palmer Squares are making their first ever appearance in Canada, along with a ridiculous lineup of support on all the dates from Loudmouth, Dro, Fresh Kils, The Nicest, Cee N Notion, Dan Doesn’t Sleep and more local acts in the varying cities.
12. Good Friday Entertainment & Stealth Bomb Records Present: Snak The Ripper Just Giver Canadian Tour
(May 20-May 29th for Ontario Dates)
Why you should go: Snak the Ripper raps with a voice as ugly and honest as his material.
Truthful to a fault, his music scrapes the rock bottom of human nature to offer a rare glimpse into the ugly underbelly of our celebrity-obsessed society. In just three years, he has gone from a relatively unknown West Coast journeyman emcee, to a cult phenom. With millions of views on YouTube, tours in Europe and support slots with the likes of RA The Rugged Man, Sean Price, Camp Lo, Swollen Members, Cunninlynguists, Choclair, and Moka Only to name a few. His stunning rise to cult icon coincided with a life and death struggle with drug abuse. Clinging to music as he struggled to get himself clean, he released “ The Ripper ” in 2007 and sold 2,000 copies online and at live shows. His next album “ Sex Machine ,” (2009 Camobear Records) has sold over 10,000 copies digitally, and been downloaded way more than that. In 2010, he had his first experience touring overseas, and realized how far he had come. Seven sold-out shows in Spain, with rabid devoted fans yelling word for word Snak’s lyrics, he saw he was becoming a Legend.
13. Atmosphere North Of Hell Tour. All Canada Everything.
(Ontario dates start in May 28 visit the link above for full details)
Why you should go: If you never been to an Atmosphere show before you should go because it’s a revelation! I remember going to my first show four years ago and couldn’t believe how passionate and diverse Atmosphere fan base are. Their eight album Southsiders is releasing on May 7th which adds that much more anticipation! Get your tickets because I know they will sell out!
Let us know which event(s) you’ll be attending in the comments section and tell us if there are any others we may have missed!