I just wanted to take a minute to congratulate all the nominees and award winners from Monday night's Stylus DJ Awards. The event gets bigger and better every year and it's really taking shape and doing a great job of honouring the cities hardest working jocks for all the work they put in. Huge shouts go to The Shoot's very own Lissa Monet who took home Female DJ of the Year and our fam; Agile who was recognized with the Best Mixtape award for his Toronto Love Jay project, P Plus snatching up the coveted best mixshow DJ and Wristpect who, perhaps the underdog in a tough category still took home Best Club DJ, still comin' up in '09. Kardi took home some awards for "Dangerous" and Andreena Mill and Sox got props for "You and Tomorrow" which took Best Canadian R&B Single just before the two blessed us with a the live version including an unplugged "Fades Away" intro. Perhaps those who know Saukrates better, might have known that he could sing from way back, but I never thought for a second when I was listening to 'Still Caught Up" or "Father Time" that this would be the guy killing us with vocals on projects like Big Black Lincoln, throwing down across the universe backing Nelly Furtado and keepin' it smooth with the likes of Andreena these days. We just need the album Big Sox... I gotta say that the people behind Stylus deserve a lot of thanks and respect for their commitment to making this an authentic, well produced event that really gives shine where there previously was none in Canada. It's shown a lot of progress over the last 4 years. I'm also really impressed that they can pull this shit off without constant drama popping off, maybe cause these guys weren't there.

I think having hit the road together, opening for EMC across Europe in support of Marco Polo's "Port Authority" project sparked a common ground where this odd couple has been able to relate amazingly on a musical level and translate that into some unadulterated hip-hop for those whose definitions of the golden era dwell comfortably in the early 90's. "Double Barrel" is a long anticipated record from T.O. expat Marco Polo who has been grinding Fort Green style for years now to make his mark in production and his Coney Island brother from another mother Torae. These two collectively and individually have received great accoaldes and co signs for their work up to this date and it's only right for that for "Double Barrell" they have called in support from some of the rap's nastiest, including DJ Premier, MOP, Masta Ace and Sean Price, all of which have been huge supporters of these two up and coming artists. The album also features a bonus cut with S-Roc and Saukrates. Toronto stand up! Support that hometown flavour, support the ones who do it for the love of the music, support it cause it's Duck Down and they rarely go wrong these days, or just support it because they have guns.

We rate Keys N Krates over here at the 'Shoot. Paying homage to one of the best Rap groups of all time, you just cant go wrong. DOWNLOAD here Keys N Krates Blog Keys N Krates Site || shootlife.

Summer's fast approaching and the heat is on as Hellz Bellz brings the sizzle with its Summer 2009 Collection, SO LOLITA. The collection offers a variety of cut and styles to complete any females wardrobe including key staple summer looks, from a range of volume bubble skirts to edgy studded vest to the graphic tees synonymous to Hellz. Taking the construction of the line to new heights, Hellz revamped silhouettes and wear ability by providing light weight nylon jackets for a stylish look in comfort. So Lolita is available at your local boutique NOW. photos: Brooke Nipar || shootlife

Happy birthday Big C!

Just to commemorate another AMAZING year as the mastermind behind the 'Shoot, we've found another archived picture from the Rude Bwoy Scouts Alumni of Canada =]