R&B & hip-hop artists collaborate on fundraising song
By Rob Shaw
rshaw@png.canwest.com
Staff Reporter
THE PROVINCE
Thursday, August 26, 2004
A group of Canadian musicians is coming to the aid of our beleaguered Olympic athletes.
A Canadian Olympic-theme song, mixed & produced by some of the country's finest musicians, is being sold online w/80% of the proceeds given to Canada's 8 Sports Centres.
"We really want it to become an urban national anthem," said Rasool Verjee, who envisioned the idea & is chairman of the label Contessa Group.
"It's really about athletes. Aspiring athletes & aspiring artists share the same frustrations & inability to raise money. That was the passion behind it."
"We're hoping this will take on a longer life than just now w/the Olympics, & that people will embrace the song."
The track, CLAIM THE WORLD, is best-described as a fusion hip-hop-R&B track, It has been online since last Friday & costs $1 to download from www.claimtheworld.ca
"Artists for Gold" contributing to the song include: R&B singer & Grammy nominee Glenn Lewis, Moka Only from the Swollen Members, producer & Def Jam artist Saukrates, Juno award-winning trumpet player Ivana Santilli, Contessa R&B singer Chris Rouse & hip-hop group Brassmunk.
The fusion of styles came together in a marathon 24-hour recording session in February.
"I was stoked they asked me," said Moka Only, a solo artist & member of Vancouer-based Swollen Members, who sang & rapped on the track.
"I felt like I was taking part in a movement & I hope it becomes an anthem & everybody loves it."
Verjee, also the co-founder of LavaLife, hopes to raise $50K for athletes.
Any money will help supplement programs & services for athletes struggling to live on their $1100 monthly stipend, said Wedny Patterson, president & CEO of PacificSport Canadian Sport Centre Vancouver.
"I think it's a great initiative," she said. "Obviously our athletes need more support."
"You can tell by the results in Athens."
I've downloaded it... & its pretty boppy... Makes ya wanna sing... An anthem tho? Throw Bryan Adams in there, even minutely & it would have been... i.e. "Everything I do... I do it for You..."
Carlotta
hotcarlotta@yahoo.com
sessions available today...
By Rob Shaw
rshaw@png.canwest.com
Staff Reporter
THE PROVINCE
Thursday, August 26, 2004
A group of Canadian musicians is coming to the aid of our beleaguered Olympic athletes.
A Canadian Olympic-theme song, mixed & produced by some of the country's finest musicians, is being sold online w/80% of the proceeds given to Canada's 8 Sports Centres.
"We really want it to become an urban national anthem," said Rasool Verjee, who envisioned the idea & is chairman of the label Contessa Group.
"It's really about athletes. Aspiring athletes & aspiring artists share the same frustrations & inability to raise money. That was the passion behind it."
"We're hoping this will take on a longer life than just now w/the Olympics, & that people will embrace the song."
The track, CLAIM THE WORLD, is best-described as a fusion hip-hop-R&B track, It has been online since last Friday & costs $1 to download from www.claimtheworld.ca
"Artists for Gold" contributing to the song include: R&B singer & Grammy nominee Glenn Lewis, Moka Only from the Swollen Members, producer & Def Jam artist Saukrates, Juno award-winning trumpet player Ivana Santilli, Contessa R&B singer Chris Rouse & hip-hop group Brassmunk.
The fusion of styles came together in a marathon 24-hour recording session in February.
"I was stoked they asked me," said Moka Only, a solo artist & member of Vancouer-based Swollen Members, who sang & rapped on the track.
"I felt like I was taking part in a movement & I hope it becomes an anthem & everybody loves it."
Verjee, also the co-founder of LavaLife, hopes to raise $50K for athletes.
Any money will help supplement programs & services for athletes struggling to live on their $1100 monthly stipend, said Wedny Patterson, president & CEO of PacificSport Canadian Sport Centre Vancouver.
"I think it's a great initiative," she said. "Obviously our athletes need more support."
"You can tell by the results in Athens."
I've downloaded it... & its pretty boppy... Makes ya wanna sing... An anthem tho? Throw Bryan Adams in there, even minutely & it would have been... i.e. "Everything I do... I do it for You..."
Carlotta
hotcarlotta@yahoo.com
sessions available today...
