One of the highlights of 2014 for The Fam was headlining the All Canadian Port Hope Jazz Festival at the tail end of the summer. On September 6th, Cee, Notion and Digital Junkie were blessed with the opportunity to rock for the entire Saturday night in a large tent in the park. An hour outside of Toronto, Port Hope is a small town with a huge appetite for music - and a three hour headlining set from a couple of rappers from Australia was most definitely something the townsfolk don't get to see too often.
Producer Cool FD hosts a show by the name of 'Independent Coolness' on 96.2FM out of Orleans, France, syndicated in Orlando and Detroit on HipHopRevo.com. On Saturday October 18th, Cee was featured as the Emcee Of The Week, where not only did Cool FD spin a selection of Cee's catalogue for 45 minutes, but he premiered a brand new song from both artists, 'Be Healthy 2014'.
The incredible video for Cee's world first 100% ode to craft beer was directed, shot and edited by 9Block Productions' Shane Russell and collaborator Richard Bastarache in microbreweries, brewpubs, dépanneurs and home brew shops around Montreal.
For those who've been following The Fam recently, Cee teamed up with US based craft beer merch brand BrewHeads to create not only a dope track and music video (which launches Tuesday August 26th), but this awesome limited edition collaboration pack! The black and gold box set contains: -BrewHeads Bière Sommelier Glass with 22k Gold Print -100% Made in the USA Snapback -Digital Download of the "BrewHeads" Track -Of course a ton of goodies (stickers, coasters, etc)
Now although a song and video like this is big enough news in itself, what truly makes this special is that Phil and Cee have created a super limited edition merch collab which will be available via the BrewHeads website for preorder* starting today, Thursday August 14th! The black and gold box set contains a gorgeous BrewHeads Bière Sommelier Glass with 22 carat gold print; a custom 100% made in the USA snapback, complete with hop print under the brim and gold-stitched barley on the flip side; and, of course, a digital download of the track (the first 10 preorders come with a physical copy of Cee's album "This Is All I Know", while the second 10 come with Cee & Dr. MaD's "Steps To The Peak" Deluxe Edition EP).
HollaPalooza is in a few weeks! Come catch Cee and Notion tear it up alongside some of the finest MCs in Toronto at the 420 friendly Big Picture Cinema!
We've also been going heavy booking the cross-Canada 'Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour' with The Bodega Brovas this summer - and our IndieGoGo campaign is in full effect! Much respect to everyone who contributed financially, blogged about it or shared it on social media. It all has truly helped and we're well on our way. We've got two weeks left 'til it wraps - we really want to keep the momentum going so by letting your people know, y'all are making our next step as independent musicians a reality. <3
We created a campaign via IndieGoGo to help us raise the funds required to make this tour a reality - we've included a bunch of cool perks, and we appreciate anything you can contribute. Even if you can't help financially, just sharing the campaign via your blog or your social networks is extremely valuable to us.
Thanks to the homie iLLvibe, Cee will be part of the crazy lineup hitting the stage on Friday June 20th for the second annual HollaPalooza in Toronto! Cee, Notion and Dr. MaD did it up proper at HollaPalooza Montreal in 2013, so this gonna be a dope event.
Cee and Notion will be joining Chicago's The Palmer Squares on their first Canadian tour ever! Alongside the good homies The Nicest, Fresh Kils and Dan Doesn't Sleep, Loudmouth and D.R.O. (also hailing from the Chi) will be tearing up four cities across Quebec and Ontario in May:
Cee linked up with Philly resident Hezekiah (Bilal, The Roots, Talib Kweli) for this soulful head nodder. Shot in Mile End (the hipster HQ of Montreal) by long-time collaborator Richard Bastarache, the visuals for 'It Ain't Over' are simple yet fun, as the contagious energy of the two MCs perfectly compliments the positive vibes and strong message of the track.
The journey doesn't end here, however. Today, Thursday April 10th (Cee's birthday), his album is officially released worldwide. The first week sales contribute to the final chart figure, and as vague as iTunes are with their numbers, the team and our supporters are vigilantly checking to catch the highest position. So we still need all the support we can get! Give Cee the best birthday gift ever - a debut #1 charting album!
What's life without having lofty goals? The Movement Fam are 100% independent, yet we have the most powerful element at our disposal to help us achieve a career milestone - YOU. Cee is shooting to at least hit the Top 100 Hip Hop Albums on the Canadian iTunes charts with this LP, and y'all can help him get there!
The first visual - and first single - from Cee's debut album 'This Is All I Know' is a dedication to the sustenance from the sky - 'Rainy Days'. The feelings of despair when the clouds turn grey can be overwhelming, but the fresh start given via the heavenly earth wash is what truly drives and inspires us. Produced by Sydney, Australia native P.R (Bone, Thugs N Harmony, Evidence, Blu, Onyx - and Notion's single 'Young & Crazy'), the tune features Montreal pioneer D-Shade (Shades Of Culture), and the chemistry between the two MCs is evident as they effortlessly trade verses across the soulful soundscape like they've known each other for years.
The Valentine's Day Mixtape Volume 6: Dream, Believe, Turn Up was inspired by the slogan of last summer's Under The Influence Of Music tour (with Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, B.o.B., Trinidad James and Joey Bada$$) - something ridiculous and funny, yet current. We didn't even really include many tunes you can 'turn up' to, so hopefully the irony isn't lost.
The video was shot in Montreal on a stormy day in July last year, with the Old Port, Quartier des Spectacles, Benelux Brewpub and annual summer fireworks contest providing the backdrop for Notion's moody anthem. With an uplifting narrative that preaches the virtues of enjoying your youth while you still can, this soulful banger lit up every venue on the tour. Shouts to the Fam Cee, Tiffany Alexis and iLLvibe on the cameo tip.
'Pride On My Cufflinks' is a milestone in the now 30 year old MC's career. The EP showcases both Notion's lyrical prowess and his production skills, all the while soaking up his rollercoaster ride experience of leaving his life in Australia and moving to Canada to pursue his music. The often dark yet sparse soundscapes make way for his potent, thought provoking narratives, garnished with equal parts optimism and concern for the future. Production comes courtesy of the USA's Remot (Kidz In The Hall, K-Os), Hungary's Diaz & Sima, Sydney's P.R and of course, Notion handles the vast majority of the work. The guestlist is as international as Notion himself; Ohio's Copywrite, Southern California's Gravity Christ, Australia's NeeQ, Toronto's iLLvibe and B3auu, the legendary DJ Grouch, and Notion's older brother Cee. This project is the perfect appetizer before Notion drops his debut LP, 'Heart On My Sleeve Music', in summer 2014.
This project is an eight track love letter to the city of Montreal. It was entirely written, produced, recorded, shot and designed in the 514, with the exception of Notion's mixing and mastering in Toronto (he's part of The Movement Fam so it's cool). Dr. MaD's production is enveloped in the art of sampling, with old Soul and Jazz tunes brought to life by his deft chops, dipping them in Hip Hop on the way out. Cee used this sonic landscape to tell real life stories about his experiences in Canada - leaving his home country of Australia to pursue a dream in the great wide north, the tumultuous move to Montreal, dealings with immigration, and his regular battles with fear, doubt and negative energy. Ultimately, it's a story of two artists connecting through the love of music in order to express their 'amour' for the city, the country and the culture of Hip Hop.
Produced by Abs himself, 'Perfect Definition' is the culmination of a cross-Canadian Hip Hop movement - Abstract is from Winnipeg, Ambition hails from Halifax, DJ Grouch (who graciously laced the track with his signature cuts) reps Toronto, and Cee is posted up in Montreal. The choppy sample is complemented by tough deliveries, solid bars from all three MCs and Grouch's Primo-style hook puts the nail in the coffin. Hip Hop at its rawest, y'all.
The project has been in the works since early 2013, with the official release currently pencilled in for the late summer. Nova Scotian-born Shane Russell of 9Block Productions, a regular collaborator with Cee on many of his projects this year, linked up with the boys to shoot (along with Richard Bastarache), direct and edit the video for the debut single from the EP, 'When The Chips Are Down'. The track speaks on the highs and lows of immigration, starting in a new place, and leaving your family to follow your dream.
