iHeartRadio Presents Black Excellence

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We’re celebrating Black History Month by highlighting artists in the black community throughout the month of February. Hear from our hosts Dames Nellas, Azalea Hart, Jamar McNeil and Leah Abrahams as they discuss important topics from their own experiences in the music industry, and much more.

  1. 02/24/2023

    Interview: Jully Black on the Canadian Anthem, Truth & Reconciliation, The Internal/External "Negotiation" of

    Jully Black sits down with Jamar McNeil a few days after singing the Canadian National Anthem at the NBA All Star Game, and discusses her decision to change one word in the Anthem. Jully tells Jamar about how she struggled to stand behind the anthem after droves of Indigenous children's bodies were found near Residential School sites, and how the generational trauma of the Indigenous experience is not one that she has as a Black Canadian, but one that she empathizes with. Jully talks about her journey through taking action with Truth & Reconciliation, and walks us through what she was feeling all the way through the Anthem Soundcheck. Jully and Jamar talk about the empathy they feel for the Indigenous community, and why Jully took the stand she took. Jully and Jamar talk about the solidarity and bridge building between Black, Indigenous, and all people of colour in Canada.

  2. 02/22/2023

    Rihanna, The Influence of the West Indies Expectations on Performers, What it Means to be "Polarizing"

    Dames Nellas, Jamar McNeil and Leah Abrahams sit down to discuss Rihanna's Super Bowl performance, her confidence, her vibe - and what they were expecting overall from the show. The three debate the subtlety of Rihanna's pregnancy announcement, and the type of risks she took risks while performing.  Dames, Leah and Jamar debate whether Rihanna is 'polarizing' and if that had any effect on the Half Time performance. Finally, the three talk about the overall global influence of the West Indies on pop culture, and Toronto's role in that integration.

  3. 02/16/2023

    Interview: King Cruff on Caribbean Influences, "Samurai Chop", Moving Away from Traditions, Hip Hop Culture

    New Artist King Cruff sits down with Virgin Radio's Dames Nellas to talk about "Samurai Chop" "Souffle" (available now!) and how he's gotten to this point in his career. King Cruff and Dames Nellas talk about challenging the norms of music, and talk about where they think Hip Hop culture is right now. Subscribe for more Episodes of Black Excellence all Month long!

  4. 02/13/2023

    Interview: Haviah Mighty on Making History, 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'' and the complexity of The Black Experience

    Haviah Mighty sits down with CHUM 104.5's Jamar McNeil to talk about her historic Junos achievement, balancing artistry with awards, and trying to impact as many avenues as possible in her career. Haviah Mighty talks about her musical Jamaican/Bajan upbringing in Scarborough, Toronto an Brampton - and how her parents were not originally the biggest fans of hip-hop, but were incredibly supportive of her dreams. Haviah talks about how Get Rich or Die Tryin' influenced her come up in to hip-hop, and creating music online from the age of 12! Haviah talks about pushing through with vulnerability with her art, and shifting the culture from the norms of 'blackness' and bridging sides, and not fitting in to boxes. Haviah and Jamar talk in-depth about so called nerd culture is sometimes frowned upon in black communities, and talk about the wide variety of black experiences that should be respected and recognized and about her project '13th Floor'. Finally, Haviah Mighty gives us her top 6 artists! (Today) Stay tuned all month for more episodes of Black Excellence!

  5. 02/08/2023

    What Is Beyoncé's Legacy? Will She Ever Win Album of the Year? Is She the Most Iconic Artist Ever?

    Jamar from CHUM 104.5, Dames Nellas and Leah Abrahams sit down to talk about Lizzo's big Record of the Year win at the 2023 #GRAMMYs and if she deserved more! The three talk about how even successful artists look up to Beyoncé as a mentor and a peer, and always give homage to her as a fan... and talk about how Lizzo and Beyoncé are at different points of career. Jamar Dames and Leah give Harry Styles his due, and open up the discussion to Beyoncé's legacy. Dames, Jamar and Leah roll off Beyoncé's accolades, her status as a superstar currently, and wonder what the next album will sound like, and speak about her being the most Iconic Artist of all time. What Is Beyoncé's Legacy? Will She Ever Win Album of the Year? Is She the Most Iconic Artist Ever?

  6. 02/07/2023

    Separating the Art From The Artists; Dr. Dre Gets GRAMMY Named After Him; 50 Years of HIP HOP!

    iHeartRadio's Jamar McNeil, Leah Abrahams and Dames Nellas sit down after the 2023 GRAMMY Awards to talk about Dr. Dre's new "Global Impact Award" his legacy in hip hop, and the charges against him from his past. Jamar, Dames and Leah get in to a larger discussion about what awards are shown on big shows like the GRAMMYs, the History of Hip Hop, and when to separate the art from the artists. Subscribe for more BLACK EXCELLENCE videos coming all February long. Dr. Dre Gets GRAMMY Named After Him; 50 Years of HIP HOP; When to Separate the Art From The Artists?

  7. 02/28/2022

    Black Excellence Roundtable: Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation

    Dames Nellas (Virgin Radio Weekender) and Leah Abrahams (Virgin Radio's Virgin Mornings with Adam Wylde TJ & Jax) are joined by CHUM 104.5's Jamar McNeil and Azalea Hart, to discuss the hot button issue of Cultural appropriation. The panel sits down to discuss real world examples of appropriation vs appreciation, citing Adele, the Kardashians, and more - and give their thoughts on what they feel cultural appropriation is, and all of the nuances that come with it. The panel go deep in to discussions around cultural appropriations in music, language (the 'blaccent'), fashion, slang, hairstyles and cultural events - and where appropriation can lead to straight up racism. Jamar, Leah, Azalea and Dames talk about their own personal experiences in the workplace, and in mainstream, white culture - and how the simplest, most natural things like hair texture, or accent can often be judged upon, appropriated, or given a 'different set of rules' for black people. Thank you for listening to season one of Black Excellence - stay tuned for more content from the panel and more in the coming months. Don't forget to review and subscribe to this podcast on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

  8. 02/24/2022

    iHeartRadio Presents Black Excellence: Rihanna

    From the left side of a small island comes a pop and fashion icon that we know today as Rihanna! CHUM 104.5's Azalea Hart takes you through the life and times and accomplishments of one of the world's biggest superstars. Subscribe to iHeartRadio Black Excellence for more episodes just like this!

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We’re celebrating Black History Month by highlighting artists in the black community throughout the month of February. Hear from our hosts Dames Nellas, Azalea Hart, Jamar McNeil and Leah Abrahams as they discuss important topics from their own experiences in the music industry, and much more.

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