Blog - The Movement Fam, Independent Hip Hop Record Label - Toronto + Montréal
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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.
It's actually a funny story. FlamesYall asked Cee to write a song for his upcoming sex-themed EP. Cee somehow managed to mis-read the email with the instructions and wrote the song that became 'PromNight', clearly off-topic. Instead of scrapping it and writing a new track, the two decided to release the tune as a single via Soundcloud. When Cee linked with Montreal-based videographer Richard Bastarache, they shot the video for the joint on location at Parc La Fontaine in the 514, and the rest is history.
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 Movement Fam's Notion (Toronto) and Cee (Montreal) teamed with Heavy Aux Records' Toronto native iLLvibe for a fresh, fun summer jam over one of Notion's productions; as the tangible chemistry between the three MCs became more evident, what began as a simple collaboration had now spawned something much larger and more exciting.
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.
The video is here! The first track from the ongoing collaborative EP #Life, #RoadTrippin, dropped today. iLLvibe x Notion x Cee. Cop the audio free at www.hashtaglife.ca.
#RoadTrippin is the first track from the EP, a soulful Hip Hop journey which encapsulates the imminent summer's carefree vibe of a bunch of friends jumping in a car and seeing where the road takes them.
Due to the fantastic response from Cee's music video for 'Comin' Home', from 'The Indie Experiment Volume 1' project, The Movement Fam decided to completely remix and remaster the entire series and rerelease the three mixtapes with a new, bigger sound, thanks to Notion's amazing engineering work.
The homie Citizen of The Understudies out in the Bay Area, California, hollered at Cee to jump on his latest single 'Ghosttown' produced by Digital Martyrs, which also features Kensho Kuma and Cyberclops of CandleSpit. Go 'head and cop the 3 track EP from iTunes!
'My Music' is a heartfelt, soulful banger with a hook that won't get out of your head. Notion speaks on his struggles, his coping mechanisms, his dreams and mostly his passion for music. What better way to prepare y'all for 'Pride On My Cufflinks', his first full length release, coming later this year.
For this volume, we included one exclusive track from Cee & Bekah, featuring the homies from Melbourne, A-Diction, as well as a brand new, all French Craig Bruce interlude. As per usual, the cover was handpainted by the homie Glen, all additional artwork, mixing, mastering and engineering was handled to perfection by Notion, while I (Cee) blended the mix, and curated the song selection with my wifey Tiffany Alexis. So it really was a family affair. And it was the first time we'd completed a Valentine's Day Mixtape between Toronto and Montreal.
The Movement Fam proudly presents Notion's debut music video for 'So Cold'. Directed and shot by Andrew Pierce in Toronto, Canada, shouts to the homies Eric, Ian and Jesse for making it happen, and much love to Shauna and Tiff (our lovely ladies). Y'all can cop the audio of the song free on Notion's Bandcamp.
"What better way to wrap up 2012 (the world might even end tomorrow, who knows?) than to drop an original track for y'all? This song was originally written and recorded in 2007 for my boy's compilation album. It kinda kicked around since then; I tried to finish it a few times, it just never worked. Until now. Weapon X is prolly my favourite MC out of Australia, and one of my biggest inspirations, so it was a blessing to work with dude. Stoked that it came out how it did. Enjoy." Free Download: Cee - My Dreams x Weapon X (Produced by Mack Sitty)
