The resident artists really putting out raw material resonating with the core values of the scene in the culture pressures progress and sometimes competition between and with other artists. A par for par, so to speak. In Canada and America, and the rest of the global empire subculture of underground and mainstream art, this race continues at an immense pace where certain vibes of music can change a whole genre in an instant.
Pushing out media to the masses sometimes can be a difficult endeavor, but with today’s extremely connected world in the blink of an eye you can create exposure for yourself, your company, art, music, or other platforms of business. The competition of quality material of art forms in different genres, mediums, and spaces of commerce places a race on who is seen the most.
Among the multitude of young and affluent artists across the eastern and western part of Canada, Winnipeg has long been and still is a sparse breeding ground of talent. Many upon many of bands, visual artists, and musicians have made to the global arena of coverage. Influencing whether they choose to stay and reside in Winnipeg or branch out and explore other cities and journeys.
From persons doing small projects to the larger than life creatives pushing out content rapidly, I want to bring forth a better understanding of some of the greatest doing it for their art, and the City of Winnipeg. With such a small community pool of people, being that many of these artists know each-other on a personal basis it is great for content, concerts, and showing of material on each other’s social media accounts, etc.
Assisting in this, I created this post and listed people to reveal some of my notable favorites.
*Isiah Medina: Film Director, Philosopher
Photo courtesy of Kenotype (Isiah Medina) from Elle Canada Magazine.
Lately, and entirely Isiah Medina has been surfacing as a noted director covering the global film festival circuit for the last few years. influenced by the great Jean-Luc Godard. Starting off having his film “Semi-Auto Colors” (2010) published by the Winnipeg Film Group. I, and many in his field, feel and believe he is one of the best in the few directors creating film in this style. Using his life and the life of others around him coming up in West End Winnipeg to inspire his vision of “the cut” in producing his short and feature art films providing a renaissance in the Canadian scene involving others across cities and provinces. As well as Canada, making friends interested in the same overall politics, cinephelia, and film styles. His influence is incalculable among friends he’s met around the world through the scene, as well as attending Montreal’s Concordia University, and his travels. Being featured in Elle Magazine, as well as many major avante garde literary film publications. Meeting iconic idol contemporaries of his in the world of philosophy such as Alain Badiou and Frank Ruda. This past weekend his film “Time Is The Sun” (2013) and new feature film “88:88” (2015) produced by himself, filmmaker Alexandre Galmard, & fellow Winnipegger Nic Kriellaars premiered in Lacarno, Switzerland making its rounds in places with some famous film festivals that selected his film after seeing it or him submitting a proposal. These festivals include Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, and Lacarno International Film Festival. You can see what Isiah Medina has put forth on his personal blog for a fonder view of the artist. Do your own research on him and view the trailers for “88:88” and other short films on his Youtube or Vimeo content. He’s putting on for the city in a major way, like a coat! Giving a nuance to new film for the world… If you would like to view the film you may email or message Isiah on Facebook or at his Gmail. Here is an article on Isiah accompanied by interview in the Winnipeg Free Press from late October 2015. ω
He is featured on the Winnipeg Film Group’s site and Mubi. You can read some reviews of “88:88” Here: Critics Round Up, and Cinema Scope. As well as view this Blackflash inquiry, or an interview with Filmmaker Magazine, another one from TIFF’s Press Conference, and a Q&A lecture about his latest film by TIFF 2015 at Wavelengths.
*Chris Bennett: Recording Artist, Rapper/Musician, Engineer & Producer
Chris Bennett performing as the opening act for the Freddie Gibbs show October 18th, 2015. Photos provided via Tom Elvers at Union Sound Hall for Exchange Media Winnipeg.
Chris Bennett has been on the mainstream and underground music and art scene in Winnipeg quite a while. Starting off at age 15 back before 2009-2010 free-styling rap at house parties, he has gained a real cult following in the city. Creating a very unique vibe with his material, music videos, and shows with the aesthetic in which he performs them. Through performing on stage, Chris garnered enough buzz to headline his own show (Ruckus in the Rouge), which he planned and organized. It ended up sold out symbolizing success when he was only 17 years old. First signing to Winnipeg-based Abstract Artform’s Ol’Roy Records, he was heavily involved also in football at the same time, even being recruited to Team Manitoba. Later unfortunately permanently injuring his knee, he made music his only priority. As an up and coming MC he performed over 10 shows and plated frequently on the radio without a serious project or a real single. Helping form The Millennial Cartel in 2011 he championed and narrated his life in his music. Since then, he has been building through his live performances, putting out an EP “Nova Initium” (2014) and further pushing out content on Winnipeg’s popular and urban radio stations. Connecting with people such as EMB’s R.O.Z., Local Advancers, and the Blackli$t conglomerate, and other established artists in the scene. With his intriguing, emotional, and enthusiastic subject matter he opened for huge artists such as Fabolous, Pusha-T, French Montana, etc. He has been working on a new project for the Winter 2016 season, and will continue to kill performances across the city and soon to be in other cities. The flow has been almost constant and he is hoping to drop his sophomore project to critical acclaim.
You can view, follow, and like his content on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Youtube, Bandcamp, or Soundcloud. Those seeking booking of Chris and his performance services can be inquired through manager Roger Kimbeni.
*3PEAT Music: Recording Artists – Hip Hop Trifecta
The “World Famous 3Peat” rap crew is made up of Steven Teixeira, Dillin Morgan, and Erroll Layco. “Steve” is a rapper, producer, and proficient deejay. “Dill The Giant” is a skateboarding rapper, producer, deejay, & visual artist. “RapheyeL” is a rapping barber spoken word practitioner, break dancer (b-boy), and travel connoisseur. This conglomerate of widely multi-talented individuals formed in early 2014. Containing very different rap styles, influences, and backgrounds that complement each other very well to build a musical triangle offense hinging on the fact that they possess a very vivid, interactive, and reciprocal energy in their live performances. This has seen them become a prominent member in the vibrant underground hip hop scene in the Jets city. Creating an ambiance around their persona, the integrity and authenticity pushes through in their music. Building their string of notoriety by performing frequently as the featured artist opening at a few events, multiple times for big artists coming to the city and putting on their own shows. Recently opening for Korean sensation Keith Ape, pioneers Blackalicious, & up and comer Grieves. Considering them being featured in the University of Winnipeg Student Associations’ Stylus Magazine in the April/May 2015 issue, they are moving forward into creating music and connections in the industry. 3Peat’s last performances were at The Urban Bakery for Pat Lazo’s and Freddie Thomas’ graffiti project Wall To Wall and Nuit Blanche Winnipeg as an after party for The Bike Jam in the basement of their downtown/exchange studio that over 250 people attended. BE SURE TO CATCH THEIR NEXT PERFORMANCE!
Here is one of their performances via Soundcloud at The Goodwill Social Club.
*Nereo II: Painter, Visual Artist and Graffiti-Art Practicioner, Break Dancer, Rapper, Poet & Spoken Word Practitioner, Photographer & Videographer & Cinematographer, respectively.
Nereo Jr. Eugenio aka Nereo II has been and will continue to be a staple figure in the Winnipeg art scene, and abroad. Becoming a youth arts mentor in programs designed for the children, and future artists. He has done projects for himself, and so many persons and organizations across Canada that he has spoken for some very notable partners such as The Literacy Partners of Manitoba, CODECAN Burt Awards, Fire and Water Music Festival, Winnipeg Poetry Slam, and TEDxYouth among many, many others. He didn’t start off a straight path, he presented his talents to a judge when in court instead of letting Legal Aid Manitoba speak for him and the judge dismissed his case. Since he has pushed forth all of his mediums into the world. Providing his art at art forums and shows, break-dancing events, live performance events, speeches, and lectures. Sometimes all of these subjects coupled into one at one event. Creating content also as a part of Graffiti Art Programming, be on the lookout for anything he puts out in the near future. It is sure to be pure gold, filled with knowledge and impressive tangents. The present and future are to the stars and beyond for this young man! Here is a spoken word session he did for the organization On The One’s Peace Of Mine event. All of this is nowhere near a real representation of the scale of his artwork and influence…
You can check out some his stuff through his Blogspot, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Arts Council of Manitoba, Winnipeg International Writers Festival, and Couchsurfing account.
*Brian Gasenzer aka Cash Akoza: Painter, Graffiti Writer and Visual Artist/Designer, Spiritual Shaman & Medicinal Art Practitioner
Cash Akoza aka Brian Gasenzer has been on the scene enlightening and inspiring for years. He became an artist in The Manitoba youth centers and spent his youth drawing in facilities before he became in touch with street art.Beginning his career in the underground graffiti scene long ago and continues to use aerosol paint to create a lot of his pieces. Lately he’s been associated with the City of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Relations Division, and The Murals of Winnipeg producing many of the West End Murals through these organizations as well as DMSMCA in beautifying this area(s) of the city. Providing all of these results with the art he does, he’s gain quite a big following and real recognition in the community, even painting a car for Capital Ford Winnipeg in September 2015. As well as being a prolific painter, visual artist and unrepentant entrepreneur selling his artwork. He is a spiritual guider and representative of shamanistic practices, bringing people to learn more about foreign medicine and the South American way of life and empowerment, frequently travelling to Peru to further gain knowledge and bring back everything he can. Very recently, he dived into the Canadian street-wear industry creating “BluntNoise” in the summer of 2015 with fellow Winnipeg entrepreneur Derek Johnson (Cush Lifestyle, Cush Studios). Launching their label through kick off event with a showcase of their clothing and an art exhibit by Brian. They released their items in very limited amounts at their show selling to persons whom attended, as well as friends and family. You can purchase what is left and what is newly being created at the online BluntNoise retail store. You can buy some of their pieces of artsy clothing at Chook Clothing Store located in Osborne Village Winnipeg. He has been featured in The Winnipeg Free Press, The Winnipeg Metro, CBC News and other publications.
You can view his art and lifestyle on his Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or Google Cash Akoza or Brian Gasenzer. Or search Flickr with his name(s).
If you can, support these artists, they are very creative and positive individuals expanding the reputation of the city of Winnipeg!
veryyoungry 