Manifesto Shoot

Back in late July or early August, I put up a post claiming that it was a historical day in Toronto/ Canadian Hip Hop history. I wasnt playing.
Che Kothari and the Manifesto gang organized one of the most important hip hop shoots of all time. It was supposed to shot in the alley way, but due to the rain, it had to be moved to the indoor set. Che and team assembled every known hip hop icon, OG's and new cats, from rappers, to producers, DJ's, to radio hosts, grafitti artists and to b-boys and girls, all the finest of this city, together for one shoot. Im not even going to name names because there are way too many and I dont want to leave anyone's name out.
I know I have some of the October's Very Own readers that read my blog too, and you're all wondering if Drizzy is in this shoot...he was actually outta town for this weekend. So if that answers it.
This shoot actually reminded me of the shot that The Source in the Bronx (I think) took back in the early 90's of all the NYC MC's, DJ's and B-Boys or anything hip hop related outside on some street. Anyone who has read the first few issues of the Source know what Im talking about.
I mean, I am involved in the urban community, but I wouldnt go so far to say Im involved in the hip hop community...im merely a camera guy. Nothing to do with hip hop. But im telling, the atmosphere in that set, the love and respect that was given off was amazing. It was like a big reunion, for the new and old generations. It was pretty crazy.
Its been a few months now, so the feeling from that day isnt really fresh anymore, but I do remember saying it was extremely exciting to be a part of this day. Things like this wont happen very much.
Toronto hip hop is still very...I dunno. I know a lot of the people in our city hate on our industry and they say Toronto sucks and what not, its whatevs to me. We're going through the same phases of growth that all the other hip hop capitals went through. We're mad young right now, even as a nation, never mind as an industry. Our population is small, and we're still mainly a first generation society...this will all take time. Populations in the states are big, and they have a lot of support from eachother, they go out to shows, buy records etc. All these negative attitudes push our talent down south, and then you have the nerve to call these people traders when they leave. We're all family, we need to show love to our brothers and sisters.
Instead of hating on our peeps and making Toronto look wack, maybe its time to support our people so we can look a lil better, so we be more united, so we can have something to be proud of. Remember you guys live in this city, you live in Toronto. If this city looks wack...so do you...you're affiliated with it. It raised you, you're a product of ur surrounds. You guys talking shit about the city, doesnt really help the perspectives of outside viewers. You gotta love yourself first.

One love.

PS. really check out the pics, some people jumped in the pics that werent supposed to be there, but try to see how many people you can name. Anyone who missed out, was probably away, so feel no ways.