Record of the Week - Michie Mee "Jamaican Funk (Canadian Style)"

This week we are celebrating Michie Mee! She rocked Bastid's BBQ Toronto this past weekend and leading up to it, we made her recently-reissued single "Jamaican Funk (Canadian Style)" our Record of the Week. Watch this clip from my weekly Tuesday Morning Coffee stream and to listen to me cut up the song (and play it! ha), as well as play the original video, which some Canadian recorded off of MuchMusic and uploaded to YouTube at some point. Michie was first 'discovered' by KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock at a MC battl in Toronto, . Shortly after, she released a pair of songs produced by them, and then got signed to First Priority Records, where she was featured on their Basement Flavor compilation alongside Audio Two ("Top Billin'"), MC Lyte, Positive K, and more. Then followed this single that we are highlighting here. "Jamaican Funk (Canadian Style)" is a dope party track that catches your ear off the top with their interpolation of Steven Bishop's AM radio cruiser "On & On". Shortly after, Michie comes charging through on the mic "takin' charge, and livin' large" and rides the track through many dope production changes. Part of these changes help define who she is: cute but tough, smooth but rough, Canadian, but Jamaican. It all paints an interesting picture of a trailblazer in a time that in our country, and the music landscape in general, some people had a challenge explaining exactly who they were to the general public, if it didn't fit into traditional stereotypes of those places. Many years later, it seems more common or have easier access to understanding to these diverse backgrounds, as the world continues to evolve in modern times. But Toronto, recognized by the United Nations as the most diverse city in the world, had a relatively early exposure to this naturally, and Michie's talent is part of this. Maestro Fresh Wes, Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, Saukrates, all come make up a strong line of musicians who helped share this city's story with the world -- with no shortage of challenges in having the outside world understand, either! What I saw last weekend at the BBQ (and yes Michie, and Choclair and Saukrates were there!) was a beautiful real life picture of what Toronto's music city looks like today, and I am very thankful for all of these people and the efforts they have put forth, and continue to. Nothing but respect! Spend some time with their music today. You can start here. Cheers! For further Michie Mee reading, check out trusted Canadian music writer Del Cowie's spotlight on her circa 2015 https://www.vice.com/en/article/michie-mee-dancehall-rap-toronto-interview-2015/ Buy the recently-reissued 7" here: https://flipnjayrecords.com/products/fnj-038-michie-mee-l-a-luv-pre-sale Most of our heroes don’t appear on no stamps… but this year Canada Post honoured 3 early contributors to Canada’s hip-hop scene, and @michiebadgyalmee was front and centre in the booklet. So dope! Catch her rocking a special set with Skratch Bastid behind the decks this Saturday at the Harbourfront Stage.