As the hip hop culture diversifies and expands, it is important to expose ourselves to other elements other than the four main sub-cultures we concentrate on today. A local photographer in Toronto caught my eye last year when I attended GIFTED: The Hip Hop Holiday Art Party and witnessed some of the most compelling portraits I have ever come across.

This year is the year for Che Kothari, where he plans to spend his entire being dedicated to his work not only as a photographer but also a filmmaker, managing editor, project manager, event producer and humanitarian. “No sleep and no play until 2008. My work is my play though, it’s all just life…and I love every minute of it.” His passion developed since his infancy in Guelph, Ontario through the life experiences he endured. At the age of 17, he moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University majoring in Photography completing the four-year program.

Kothari’s work focuses mainly on portraits where he captures a story for all his projects rooted from his ‘nosy’ personality. “I like to get into people’s lives. As a portrait photographer, it gives me very intimate moments with people. I take from each session that person’s essence and try to work and feel with that.” His talent and skills has brought Kothari portrait sessions with celebrities including Buju Banton, Llyod Banks, TI, Common Sense, Faith Evans, K-OS, and Talib Kweli. Although, he emphasizes he does not only focus on celebrities. “I also love to shoot real people, street people, party people, anything real…I just love people.”

Currently, Kothari is affiliated with many projects including Earwaks.com, a showcase to promote lifestyle, art, and music with high end content, photo, and videos; Hightop Studio, a creative services company offering photography, design, web, marketing and event production; and Manifesto, an organization for youth community building through the hip hop culture. This summer Manifesto will be organizing a complete summer events program, concluding with a festival in September.

You can reach Che Kothari through his website http://www.chekothari.com

This Friday, check out Bles-sed, one of my favourite dancers and dj’s in Vancity.

You know the best time of year has come when the weather in Toronto is consistently above 10 degrees. The season to party is here. What better way than to start off with a column with Alex Goldberg a.k.a. Hard Magic an ambitious party planner, former MVRemix Media contributor and an excellent source for fun.

Some of you may remember Girl Talk at Spin Gallery last November. After the event’s success, Alex knew he was destined to provide extraordinary events to the people of Toronto, and perhaps one day the world.

February 2007, Alex hooked up with BB Kinks to form Primary Colors (pas de U – you bastard!) dedicated to throwing “un-ironic dance parties.”

Alex’s intention with Primary Colors is to de-construct mash-ups from the 3-5 seconds of an excellent pop song, and instead, play it in its entirety.

“Mash-ups are comfortably 3-5 seconds. What we want to do is tell the world that if they like those 3-5 seconds, why not play the whole song and stop pretending we hate the songs we like by being freal freal.”

Primary Color’s launch party will be this Thursday, May 17th at the Boat in Kensington Market (Toronto, ON), titled, ‘You Make Me Wanna Shoop!” Cover is only $3. Fashion design clothing will be featured at the event by Sushi Clothing. Music includes Salt N Pepa, Aqua, Boys II Men, New Kids on the Block, Ace of Base, Toni Braxton, Bel Biv Devoe, Kid n’ Play, PM Dawn, Montell Jordan, Marky Mark, Fresh Prince, Freak Nasty, 69 Boys, Spice Girls, Venga Boys and much more.

For more information on Alex you can check out his MySpace and Primary Colors

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, celebrated globally by connecting women around the world to honour the achievements in the past and inspire the achievements of their future. The most concerning issue among women worldwide are the inequalities that still exist in all aspects of the world; from politics to the corporate world, hip-hop is no different. Yes, there are the Lauryn Hills, the Janet Jackson’s and the India Aries, but what about the other components of hip-hop? Are there really enough women in the culture today? I don’t want to turn this into a feminist column or anything, but sometimes we need to ask ourselves these questions. It’s the 21st century and it’s still a man’s world out there, and I’m no better. I admit, most of my features have been male, and it’s tough to find enthusiastic female counterparts willing to be featured. I came across today’s feature at last year’s Hip-Hop Holiday Art Party where I first noticed her artwork and asked for her contact. It’s a good thing I did because she was one of the first I thought to feature. But before I start, I want to say Happy Birthday K.Y.

Erica Gosich Rose known as EGR (pronounced Eager) is a Toronto visual artist but most often known most as a graffiti artist. EGR’s love for art developed at an early age in a suburban neighbourhood of Burlington, Ontario where she grew up; however her love for graffiti was discovered in adolescence.

“While attending Sheridan college for Art and Illustration I was super inspired by everything visual, and the whole concept of telling a story and communicating through art. One of my high school buddies happened to point out the graffiti he did with some friends behind a shopping mall along the train line of my hometown, and that was it – I was hooked. I got my first 5 cans of Krylon and the rest is history.”

EGR’s talent is exhibited throughout diverse manifestations from newspapers like the Toronto Star and the Globe & Mail to magazines, books, album covers, bikes, boards, walls, and toys. In 2000, she moved to Toronto where the demand for graffiti was rising. She explains she was not always confident with graffing.

“I bombed under bridges, in the trenches, and slowly climbed my way up to the streets after building my confidence, feeling comfortable with the medium. I never thought I’d be painting graffiti murals as part of my career, though I always knew I was going to be an artist for life.”

The long list of accomplishments EGR has earned include creating art for esteemed musicians such as Naughty by Nature, IRS, Kyprios, Graph Nobel, Afu Ra, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock and directing a fully animated music video, El Dorado for BrassMunk. When not busy conceiving new artistic ideas, or painting, she keeps sane by bouncing on her trampoline, going to shows, dancing, thrift store shopping, or just combing the tangles out of her hair.

Currently, EGR is developing a new website “that has taken a while to build due to the complexity of incorporating my business and taking full control of its direction.” The site will include updates on upcoming art shows and international exhibitions. So make sure you have a look: http://www.EGRart.com or check out her myspace profile at http://www.myspace.com/EGRart.