Honey Jam, all-female multicultural, multi-genre incubator for emerging talent, kicks off their 20th anniversary season on Wednesday May 27, 2015 at Revival Bar (783 College Street West). Hosted by rapper/actor Michie Mee who performed at the first show in 1995, the celebration will feature some of the hottest female DJs, including turntablist Killa Jewel from Montreal and emerging artist, Nefe, who was signed to Universal Music after her performance at Honey Jam last year.
A launching pad for the careers of Grammy award winning artists Nelly Furtado and Melanie Fiona, Universal France Jazz artist Kellylee Evans as well as Canada’s Queen of R&B Jully Black, Honey Jam has attracted support and participation from many notables in the music industry, including: Kardinal Offishal, Divine Brown, Director X, Keisha Chante, Esthero, Gerald Eton, Suzy McNeil, Sarah Slean, Universal’s Randy Lennox, Gary Slaight and super producers Boi 1da, T-Minus and Rich Kidd.
The national search for the 2015 lineup of artists has already begun. Live auditions take place on Sunday, May 31 and artists outside of Ontario can submit online. Artists will be chosen by a team of established Canadian music professionals including songwriter/producer James Bryan (formerly of the Philosopher Kings), songwriter/music director Jasmine Denham of The Next Star, and celebrity vocal coach Elaine Overholt.
The Scene was able to catch up with Q Benjamin Juno Award Winning Rapper and R&B Artist and a former workshop speaker on her career, lessons from the road and what lies ahead.
TheSceneInTO: The showcase is for aspiring artists. What’s the one piece of advice you would have given yourself while starting off?
Q Benjamin: Don’t rely on any one to do anything for you. Figure out how you can do as many things yourself as you can- from production, to recording your vocals, to mixing, writing and seeking contacts (Directors, photographers, etc.); as many things as you can learn and figure out to do; do them. This way, you have more control, and you’re not at the mercy of anyone else’s vision/creativity or time constraints.
TheSceneInTO: Where does your inspiration for music come from? Do you lock yourself up until the ideas flow or is there a method you work through?
Q Benjamin: My inspiration for music comes from my on life experiences and emotions. Typically, my methods to creating music vary. Sometimes I’ll sit and replay something for hours before I come up with anything. Other times I write during a commute, while I’m walking, or ideas start flowing as soon as I hear something I really like. I find free-styling melodies or lyrics initially usually get me off to a good start.
TheSceneInTO: It’s amazing to see the amount of Canadian talent within the global music scene. What do you think makes Canadian talent stand out?
Q Benjamin: The same thing that makes any talent stands out. Originality in some sense… honesty, authenticity. Originality is harder to chase after. In this day and age everything comes from something else, and that’s cool… but it’s what you can add from yourself to whatever you’re creating. It’s a matter of who you are and what you believe in, think about or do as a person- on a regular basis, in relation to the type of music you make and the message(s) you’re conveying to your listeners. Talent is a funny thing, because almost everyone I know has some kind of talent, but sometimes it’s what you add to your talent, for example: hard work, heart, passion, faith. All of these things in conjunction can be a deadly combination, and sometimes being able to apply all of these things together consistently is the hard part.
TheSceneInTO: Who’s on your current playlist? Anyone in particular you’re keeping your eye on?
Q Benjamin: At the moment I’m listening to a lot of 90’s house/dance- Snap, Corona, Real Mccoy, Crystal Waters, Black Box, Robin S, Cece Peniston. It’s putting me in the mood for summer! I don’t really have any artist in particular on my radar right now.
TheSceneInTO: What’s next on your to-do list? Any collaborations, new albums, tour dates?
Q Benjamin: I’m working on new music currently; I’ll be releasing new music this year.
To learn more about Honey Jam visit: www.honeyjam.com
Leave a Reply