When thinking of the origins of Rock n’ Roll music, many people would quickly associate it with artists such as Elvis Presley and Aerosmith. However, the beginning of rock music as we know it today, can be traced all the way back to the blues and the strong influence of Black culture and musical traditions. 

By Muniyra Douglas
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If you’ve traveled on Yonge Street, chances are you’ve noticed one of the giant murals dedicated to Nashville-born, Toronto legend and transgender Soul pioneer Jackie Shane (May 15, 1940 – February 22, 2019).   Nominated at the 61st annual Grammy Awards this year, her story is a fitting honour during Black History Month.  The singer’s historical album Any Other Way was a collaborative effort.  

By Karen Burke
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Take a look at any GTA high school band or choir and, for the most part, you will not see a representation of what Toronto’s population looks like.  Toronto is by far the most diverse city in North America and probably the entire world according to ‘The Globe and Mail’ (April 2018). As such, the music being taught in our schools and celebrated in our communities should reflect our population, but it often does not.

By Ishawna Ross

Drake, Tory Lanez, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara along with plenty of other notable singers stepped out of Canada with huge success, putting the Toronto music scene in the spotlight; however, it all started with this Scarborough native who was the first to do it all.