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Exco Levi wins 4th consecutive Juno Award >> page 6

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Vision/ Winter 2015

The Caribbean Top cop in Jamaica to send more officers onto streets to fight worrying uptick in homicides

NEWS Jamaica PM says island will host Obama next month for 1 day meeting with Caribbean leaders cas. That regional summit is scheduled for April 10-11.

During his one-day visit to Jamaica, Simpson Miller says the island will host a meeting between Obama and heads of the Caribbean Community political grouping for discussions on security, trade and other topics.

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ Jamaica’s top cop says he will send more officers into island hot spots to combat a worrying uptick in homicides.

Police Commissioner Carl Williams said Thursday that “there are persons among us who have become killing machines.’’

Last year, Jamaica saw double-digit decreases in every crime category, including a 16 per cent drop in homicides. The 1,005 slayings recorded last year was the lowest annual total in over a decade.

But in recent days, there has been a growing list of shooting incidents killing multiple people at a time on the island of 2.7 million people.

Williams says the full resources of the police force will be tapped to fight the upsurge in slayings.

The Associated Press

Authorities seize $7M worth of cocaine off Puerto Rico’s northwest coast

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ The U.S. Coast Guard has seized an estimated $7 million worth of cocaine off Puerto Rico’s northwest coast and detained three men from the Dominican Republic.

Spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said Thursday that agents spotted a boat travelling toward Puerto Rico during a routine patrol and found 466 pounds (211 kilograms) of cocaine aboard.

Cocaine seizures across the Caribbean have increased in recent years.

The Associated Press

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ Jamaica's prime minister says President Barack Obama will visit the Caribbean country next month.

Portia Simpson Miller told lawmakers Tuesday that Obama will pay a state visit to Jamaica on April 9 before departing for Panama to attend the Summit of the Ameri-

She says her government is “delighted that President Obama will be visiting Jamaica at this time.''

The last time a sitting U.S. president visited the Caribbean island was during a 1982 visit from former President Ronald Reagan.

In Jamaica's capital, dozens of schools remain closed due to smoke coiling from burning dump Kingston schools that remained open shut their windows and doors to try and prevent the smoke from getting inside as plumes shifted direction on a breezy day.

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ A number of schools have been forced to remain closed in Jamaica's capital about five days after a fire engulfed more than half of a sprawling trash dump.

Jamaica's education ministry called for some 50 schools to remain closed Monday due to the spread of noxious smoke billowing out the Riverton City dump.

Jamaica's Cabinet was expected to announce whether it would postpone high school entrance exams scheduled for later in the week.

Health officials say the smoke caused more than 640 people to seek treatment between Friday and midday Sunday.

For days, authorities have said they had the dump fire contained.

2

The Caribbean Jamaica policeman charged with murder after video circulates of fatal shooting at party

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ A Jamaican policeman has been arrested and charged with murder after a video showing a fatal police shooting was circulated on social media.

The Independent Commission of Investigations probes allegations against Jamaican police. In a Monday statement, it identified the accused law enforcer as Constable Kevon Gordon.

Gordon is a patrolman in Lawrence Tavern, just outside the capital of Kingston. He is accused of killing Garfield Coburn at an outdoor party on March 6.

Residents say the officer was trying to arrest Coburn for smoking a marijuana cigarette. A video taken by a partygoer shows the officer with his service weapon out as he tries to drag him away. A gunshot is heard and officers are shown carrying Coburn’s limp body.

Jamaica’s police commissioner called for Gordon’s arrest.

The Associated Press

Jamaican boy found dead inside home after street shootout between police, gunmen

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ A 14-year-old Jamaican boy has been found fatally shot inside his home following a shootout between police and gunmen on the street nearby.

An independent agency that probes abuse allegations against Jamaican security forces is investigating the death of Joel Lovelace of August Town, a poor community on the outskirts of Kingston.

Authorities say members of a police patrol exchanged gunfire with gunmen outside a shop. The boy’s body was later found in his home with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The officers’ weapons were collected and will be analyzed at the government forensic lab. Police did not say Tuesday whether any arrests had been made.

August Town residents allege the boy was killed by police and erected roadblocks in the community after the fatal shooting.

The Associated Press

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Vision Newspaper UK: Editor in Chief : Anthony Whyte, Editor: Nadia Akram, Correspondent in Jamaica: Deana Meyers Contributors: Francesca Quass, Yemi Abiade, Samantha Dennis, Claire Daley, Vision Newspaper Canada: Editor in Chief: Alwin Squire, Editors: Samantha Deschamps, Kelly Deschamps, Marilyn Marshall, Christopher Miller Front page feature photo credit: (AP Photos/Vince Bucci),

3 News Caribbean court hears activist's challenge of anti gay laws in Belize, Trinidad and Tobago

Vision/ Winter 2015

unenforced in both countries due to unwritten policies.

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ A Caribbean court on Wednesday heard a challenge from a gay rights activist who argued that immigration laws ostensibly barring homosexuals from entering two countries in the region are discriminatory and must be repealed.

& Tobago and Belize violate freedom of movement rights under a key Caribbean Community treaty.

Maurice Tomlinson, a Jamaican gay rights activist who is a legal adviser with New York-based AIDS-Free World, argues that obscure immigration rules barring entry to homosexuals in Trinidad

In testimony before a panel of judges, authorities from Trinidad & Tobago and Belize insisted the sections of their immigration laws that list homosexuals among a group of “prohibited classes'' go

He took his challenge to the Caribbean Court of Justice, the final appeals court for some members of the 15-member Caricom.

Maria Marin, acting immigration director of Belize, said agents have never denied entry to someone based on their sexual orientation. Trinidad's acting immigration chief, Gerry Downes, testified that the section of the law barring homosexuals from entry is ignored and “we do not inquire about the sexual orientation of a person.''

Trinidad & Tobago's immigration law drew criticism in 2007 when gay pop star Elton John had to obtain a waiver to perform there amid opposition by religious groups.

Tomlinson, who testified before the Trinidad-based court from Jamaica so as not to knowingly break the twin-island country's law, argues that non-enforcement is no reason to keep the discrimi-

natory laws on the books.

“If the state has no intention of enforcing the law, then the logical thing to do is change it,'' Tomlinson said on his Facebook page before Wednesday's hearing.

Janet Burak, a lawyer who is AIDS-Free World's deputy director and attended the hearing in Trinidad, said that there was no ruling at the close of two days of hearings and that the regional court now has three months to render a decision.

The two countries named in Tomlinson's lawsuit are among nearly a dozen English-speaking Caribbean nations that have anti-sodomy laws that outlaw homosexuality between men.

By David McFadden THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ___ David McFadden on Twitter: http://twitter. com/dmcfadd

Community

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Vision/ Winter 2015

What ’s On

Events

Wayne Wonder

Royce Da 5’9

Chris Brown & Trey Songs

Billy Ocean

Venue: Tatoo Queen

Venue: Air Canada Center

Venue: Woodbine Race Track

Venue: The Phoenix

Toronto, ON Date: February 25th, 2015

Toronto, ON Date: February 25th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Toronto, ON Date: February 26th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

410 Sherbourne Street Date: March 7th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketgateway.com

Duane Stephenson

Mighty Crown

Charlie Black

Anthony Cruz

Venue: SVG Lounge 1230 Sheppard Ave West Toronto, ON Date: March 21st, 2015

Venue: Sound Academy Toronto, ON Date: April 5th, 2015

Venue: 227 Lounge 137 Cityview Drive Toronto, ON Date: April 3rd, 2015

Venue: SVG Lounge 1230 Sheppard Ave West Toronto, ON Date: April 4th, 2015

Jon B, Mya, Case, Mr Cheeks I Love the 90’s series

Family & Children Mike the Knight The Great Scavenger Hunt

Rasta Fest Talent Show Case

Venue: Sound Academy

Venue: The Sony Center

Venue: Uptown Theatre

Date: March 14th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketgateway.com

Date: February 28th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Date: February 28th, 2015

Jah Bouks

Disney on Ice Frozen

Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure

Venue: SVG Lounge Address: 1230 Sheppard Ave Toronto, ON Date: April 5th, 2015

Venue: Rogers Center Toronto, ON Date: March 19th 2015 www.ticketmaster.ca

Venue: First Ontario Center Toronto, ON Date: March 21st 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Toronto, ON

Community

Vision/ Winter 2015

5

Toronto Songstress Kim Kelly Headed to Jamaica to Put Finishing Touches on EP, Performances and More weeks. The goal is always to grow and improve and nowhere is better for an upcoming Dancehall/reggae artist than Jamaica.

With an upcoming The songstress is performance on the headed to her beSt. Catherine Jamboloved island of Jamairee March 28th our ca for a month stay stay will be around which will see her that time. We will also hard at work on her be working on my Ep, For the past two years debut EP with various interviews and many the beautiful and talnotables producers.

Excited at her imother amazing opporented Kim Kelly has Kim will also take the pending arrival, Kim tunities. Jamaica is been hard at work stage at various stage explained "The reason home for me so it's diligently honing her shows such as the my team and I plan always a blessing to craft while receiving March 28th, ST Cath- on staying in Jamaica enjoy the weather and modest success for erine Jamboree which this long is because get inspired." a string of hit singles features a star studwe know we can acsuch as "Plans Fi (MPR Consulting) ded lineup Grammy complish a lot more Photo Credit: Kopet A Yuh" (UIM Records Award winner Beenie in one month than 2 Top Class Riddim), "Fall In Love" (Keno 4 Star) and her recent "Girls Night Out" (Misik Muzik Cute Bibble Riddim).

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Man, Ky-Mani Marley, Jesse Royal and Ninja Man along many others to be disclosed, and an April slated show in ST Mary by the Galiday Bounce organizers, the show will see popular dancehall artist Dexta Daps, Iyara and more names to be announced.

Vision/ Winter 2015 Music Reggae singer Exco Levi talks about his new album "Country Man" and his latest Juno Award

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jus start know Kingston... Crossroads and Coronation Market are jus places mi used to hear 'bout. Me come from the hills of Manchester and this is what the album is all about," he said "The tracks tell a story, my story.

So when I sing One Room Shack is what I know about; One Suit is another single. Since I Throw My Comb Away is a cover of a Twinkle Brothers song and speaks to me accepting Rastafari. I recorded General Penitentiary with Mykal Rose cause I went to jail at age 14. There is also El Shadhai, a cover of the Jahmali original, which reminds me of my grandfather's strong gospel background," Exco Levi continued.

CANADA'S reggae market has been growing steadily over the years with Jamaicans and their descendants working to take the music to that market.

However, the artistes in that market have never been able to cross over into the home market in Jamaica and make a name for themselves on the Rock.

One reggae act is working to change all of this and has begun reaping the benefits.

Exco Levi, born Wayne Ford Levy, migrated to Canada 10 years ago and after a number of odd jobs, decided it was the music of his homeland that would be his chosen path.

But like all Canadian reggae acts, Exco Levi wanted recognition at home. His search would lead him to veteran music producer and CEO of Penthouse Records Donovan Germain.

"Richie Stephens took me to Germain and we have been working together, bridging the gap between Jamaica and Can-

ada with music. My work with Penthouse also resulted in a link with Silly Walks, producers out of Germany. Music is a thing that is mystical and I believe it is my energy, uncompromising lyrics and vibrancy that has caught the ear of these people," Exco Levi told Splash.

The Penthouse/Silly Walks connection resulted in a collaboration with rising star Kabaka Pyramid on the track Strive. This was recorded on Silly Walks' extremely popular Honey Pot riddim, which also features Smile Jamaica by Chronixx, Sweet Killer

by Ginjah, Brothers by Jah9 and Da'Ville's One in a Million.

Exco Levi has also been making the rounds on the major festivals and stage shows in Jamaica. In December he did Sting, in January it was Tony Rebel's two-day festival Rebel Salute in St Ann, and last month among his stops was Reggae Wednesday organised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association to celebrate Reggae Month.

"I give thanks to be among a

group of artistes which are really bringing conscious music to the people. People like Protoje, Chronixx and my good friend Iba Mahr are setting a trend and I am happy to be among them."

The Canadian reggae community has been good to this conscious reggae vocalist, having won the Juno Award, Canada's version of the Grammys, in the reggae category for four consecutive years -- 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015.

"It is indeed an honour to win for four consecutive years. The Juno awards is 44 years old and the reggae category was only introduced 12 years ago. For me to win four times out of 12 puts me in a very good place, and I just have to give thanks."

The Juno Awards took place on March 15 and three days later, March 18, Exco Levi droped his next major project, the album Countryman.

"Countryman is basically recounting my experiences growing up in Manchester. It's my story as a yute from rural Jamaica. Mi

Countryman features some of the top names in Jamaica on the production side, with Germain helming the project. Names such as Robbie Shakespeare and Dean Frazer can be found on the musical credits, while Sherita Lewis, Shuga and Dalton Harris provided supporting vocals.

When not in studio or on stage, Exco Levi delves into the music of the current generation, but always harks back to the root of the music listening to the greats -- Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Peter Tosh.

"I can listen to these icons everyday and each time I listen I hear something I never heard the day before. That's the direction I want my music to head in... that timeless sound," he stated. this story was originally published in the Jamaica Observer Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

7 Music Mary J. Blige, dancing like a pro, shines at unofficial South

by Southwest event

Vision/ Winter 2015

“Go Mary. Go Mary,'' the crowd, who attended a seated dinner prior to the performance, yelled loudly. Blige's husband, Kendu Isaacs, filmed her performance with his phone while “Orange Is the New Black'' actress Danielle Brooks, music manager Kevin Liles and track and field Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross _ along with her NFL husband Aaron Ross _ sang and danced along.

AUSTIN, Texas _ Mary J. Blige performed for a feverish crowd Tuesday night at the Samsung Supper Club in an event not sponsored by South by Southwest, another sign of unofficial concerts rivaling the festival when it comes to pulling bigname acts.

Blige is no dancer, but the performer moved energetically at the show, even imitating Michael Jackson's dance moves during her funky hit, “Just

Fine.''

She kicked off her set with “Enough Cryin''' _ which features her rapping as her alter ego Brook-Lynn _ and she continued with the up-tempo anthem, “The One.'' She moved like a pro, though there was water dripping from the covered ceiling on the venue's rooftop. She managed to manoeuvr in heels and an ab-revealing crop top.

“Where the 'My Life' fans at?'' the 44-year-old Blige asked, referring to her classic 1994 sophomore album. She followed with songs from that album, including “Be Happy'' and “You Bring Me Joy.'' She also performed other hits from the past, including ``Real Love'' and “You Remind Me'' from her debut album, 1992's “What's the 411?''

Before singing her latest song, “Doubt,'' Blige offered her usu-

al words of encouragement.

“Where are all those amazingly strong, good women that nobody can't keep down out there? ... I mean, make some noise!'' she said. “The voice of doubt is going to be conquered by you all the time.''

Blige asked the audience to stand up for her rendition of U2's “One,'' which she covered a decade ago, and they danced happily when she closed with her pop hit, “Family Affair.''

D'Angelo and Nick Jonas are some of the other top acts at events unrelated to the festival. ___

By Mesfin Fekadu THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Online: http://www.maryjblige.com/london-sessions

Music

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Vision/ Winter 2015

DRAKE DISAVOWS FILM ABOUT HIM

UNDATED (AP) _ Canadian rap star Drake says he has nothing to do with a documentary

METHOD MAN GIVES FINANCIAL ADVICE

NELLY PLAYS KURDISTAN

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Method Man's advice for young rappers: you only need one car. He says if you want a better one, trade that one in.

Method Man says he wishes someone had told him to be smart with his money and he'd be better off now. He also favors not having an entourage and doing things himself.

He says people see him carrying his own bags in the airport and ask him why he's such a regular guy. He tells them, “Regular is good---.It keeps you out of the tabloids.''

ERBIL, Iraq (AP) _ It wasn't just another concert for Nelly on Friday.

He became the first American artist to perform in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. He performed as part of a concert for the Rwanga Foundation, a charity that helps the underprivileged in that region. A spokeswoman for the Rwanga Foundation says she hopes Nelly will show other artists that Kurdistan is a great place for artists and there's great support for them there.

about him that's about to be released. Drake tweets he has no part in the film “Drake's Homecoming: The Lost Footage'' and he feels responsible to “inform and protect'' his fans. The film contains footage that was shot at a Drake concert in Toronto in 2009 before he was signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money Records. It will be released for one night tomorrow.

MARVIN GAYE'S RIHANNA TO PLAY MARCH MADNESS FEST FAMILY ATTEMPTS TO STOP 'BLURRED LINES'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Rihanna and Bleachers will perform at the March Madness Music Festival in Indianapolis on April 4th. Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum and Kacey Musgraves will perform April 5.

The lineup for April 3 has not been announced. All shows will be free.

The N-C-double-A is using Rihanna's song “American Oxygen'' for March Madness promotions.

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Marvin Gaye's family wants to put the brakes on “Blurred Lines.'' Gaye's children filed a motion in court this week to prevent distribution and performance of the hit featuring Pharrell, Robin Thicke and T.I. Last week, a jury determined the song was copied from Gaye's 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up.'' Gaye's adult children were awarded nearly 7.4-million dollars in damages

Music Review: Kendrick Lamar returns with impressive sophomore album, 'To Pimp a Butterfly' ing his time to craft an impressive sophomore effort in “To Pimp a Butterfly.''

This new album was certainly worth the wait following Lamar's classic studio debut “good kid, m.A.A.d city,'' which helped boost his stature as of hip-hop's best.

Kendrick Lamar, “To Pimp a Butterfly'' (Interscope Records) Rapper Kendrick Lamar went three years without releasing an album, tak-

Already a two-time Grammy winner, Lamar continues to demonstrate that he's one of music's best on the compelling and thought-provoking “To Pimp a Butterfly,'' a play on the title of the Harper Lee novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.'' And much like Lee's novel, Lamar's album overflows with metaphor, focusing on how innocent minds can be influenced by money, fame and worldly matters.

The album's 16 tracks flow masterfully from one to another, a fusion of jazz, funk and hip-hop. It's a compelling

piece of work that features production

by Pharrell Williams, rapper Terrace Martin, Boi-1da and Rahki.

Lamar's socially conscious messages are once again easy to digest, especially on “Institutionalized'' featuring Bilal, Anna Wise and Snoop Dogg. Lamar is strong on the Pharrell Williams-produced “Alright'' and “How Much a Dollar Cost,'' where he raps about the struggle of his fame with the assistance of James Fauntleroy and Ronald Isley.

The rapper touches on how some black entertainers such as actor Wesley Snipes have fallen victim to the entertainment industry on “Wesley Theory,'' featuring George Clinton and Thundercat. He also offers other thoughtful tracks such as the upbeat “Momma,'' ''Hood Politics “and the album's single, ''i” which took home a Grammy for best

rap song.

“Mortal Man'' is a 12-minute song that finds Lamar questioning the loyalty of people in troubled times. He speaks about the betrayal of influential leaders from Moses to Martin Luther King Jr., reads a poem then closes the song with a hypothetical conversation with Tupac Shakur before asking the late rapper about his perspective of today's changing world. ___

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Follow Jonathan Landrum Jr. on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mrlandrum31

Music

Vision/ Winter 2015

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Album Review

To Pimp a Butterfly Kendrick Lamar

Country Man Exco Levi

The Album About Nothing

ludaversal Ludacris

Kendrick Lamar recently announced the March 23 release date for his next album, the hugely-anticipated follow-up to 2012’s good kid, m.A.A.d. city. While details on that currently untitled album are still scarce, he just posted the above image to his Instagram account.

It’s not yet confirmed, but given the “Parental Advisory” tag and this tweet from TDE label boss Anthony Tiffith, it’s very possible that it’s the album’s artwork. Update: The title of the album is, indeed, To Pimp a Butterfly, Rolling Stone reports.

Reggae recording star, and 3 time JUNO Award winner Exco Levi has announced a date for the launch of his debut album, Country man; After his 15 years of recording experience including almost 100 singles which has earned him multiple awards in Canada, the US and Jamaica, Exco is ready to release the 19 track album produced by Donovan Germaine for Penthouse Records and Exco’s newly formed High Priest Records The deeply personal album which was written

by Exco, bears songs that describe his challenges as a new immigrant to Canada, the mind set of children who are not on the right path, and Levi’s reliance on God for strength and support throughout the good and not so good times in his life.

Continuing with the “Seinfeld” theme from his mixtapes; rapper Wale’s next album will be called “The Album About Nothing” and is set for a March 31 release date. The 14-track album will include features from J. Cole, SZA, Usher and Jeremih, as well as production from Jake One, DJ Khalil and more.

Ludacris’ album Ludaversal has been forthcoming for quite some time. After numerous push backs, the Atlanta-based rapper and actor has finally stamped down a more sturdy release date and recently has given out some details about the album. A video released by Revolt TV shows Ludacris talking about the album during a listening party. David Banner, Big K.R.I.T. and Usher all make the cut on the forthcoming LP.

www.pitvhfork.com

Wale

Wale has also unveiled two of the three album covers that the album will have.

The first, which can be seen above, features artwork by Sue Tsai. The second cover features Wale and Jerry Seinfeld standing side by side. www.designntrend.com

www.hiphopdx.com

Music

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Vision/ Winter 2015

PM Harper tweets inaccurate picture of NBAers during Canadian Basketball Night Unfortunately, the tweet was mislabelled with Bennett instead being identified as Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, an American.

TORONTO _ Prime Minister Stephen Harper shot an airball with a tweet Wednesday night.

A post from the prime minis-

ter's official Twitter account showed a picture of him with Canadian basketball stars Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, both members of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Pleased to meet Cda's top basketball talent b22wiggins & bKlow7 before bCanBball Night,'' read the tweet before it was deleted, and replaced with a corrected version. The official Twitter accounts of the Raptors and Timberwolves were also linked to the message.

Harper was in attendance for

Wednesday night's game between Toronto and Minnesota as part of Canadian Basketball Night, a celebration of the sports' growing popularity in Canada.

Bennett and Wiggins are back-to-back No. 1 overall NBA draft picks and were playing together in Canada for the first time.

There are 12 Canadians in the NBA, the most of any nation outside of the United States.

The Canadian Press photo from www.cbc.ca

NBA rookie star Andrew Wiggins putting off Pan Am Games decision for now The 20-year-old rookie was in Toronto for his first NBA appearance at Air Canada Centre as his Minnesota Timberwolves took on the Raptors on Wednesday.

TORONTO _ Canadian star Andrew Wiggins won't say whether or not he'll play in this summer's Pan American Games. He's putting off the decision for now.

“It's a long time away. I'm going to deal with all that once the season is over,'' Wiggins said.

He and Canadian teammate Anthony Bennett were both questioned during the morning shootaround about their national team plans for a summer that includes both the Pan Am Games and the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament.

While he was non-committal about when, Wiggins did say he's “looking forward'' to playing for Canada again.

“Yeah. The Canadian team. . . it should be fun with all the guys. I've played with a lot

of them before. It should be good,'' said the star rookie from Vaughan, Ont., who's made numerous appearance for Canada's junior squad.

nett said. “I think it'll be pretty much crazy. The environment will be kind of wild. But pretty much we've just got to stay focused.''

Bennett, meanwhile, gave a big thumbs-up to playing this summer.

Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre will host the basketball for the Pan Am Games, which run July 10-26.

“Definitely, yeah,'' he said.

“We have definitely a lot of talent in Canada. Especially upcoming. We've just got to get together in the summer and put all the talent on the team.''

Bennett, who was born in Toronto and grew up in Brampton, said he was excited to play on the international stage in his hometown.

“Man, I couldn't even tell you (what it would mean),'' Ben-

The FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament is Aug. 25 to Sept. 6 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Canada's men's team hasn't made an Olympic appearance since the 2000 Games in Sydney.

By Lori Ewing THE CANADIAN PRESS (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Vision/ Autumn 2014

Sports

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Canadian star Wiggins shrugs off hype in first NBA game back home him to have not missed a game tells you a lot about his makeup. . . he hasn't needed a game off. It's a huge thing if he can play 82 games this year.''

Wiggins' Canadian teammate Anthony Bennett _ the No. 1 draft pick in 2013 _ hasn't been having nearly as much luck, and was ruled out of Wednesday's game with an ankle injury.

“I tried to go yesterday, but it just wasn't working,'' said Bennett, from Brampton, Ont. “It's been disappointing not to play the whole month. . . But coming back home, a lot of family, friends, fans in Toronto, it's just always depressing.''

Bennett hasn't been surprised by how well Wiggins has handled his rookie season.

“Wiggins, he's just been a real killer since I met him. That's way back, Team Canada, AAU (Amateur Athletic Union youth league),'' Bennett said. “He just has something special about him. This year, he showed it out.

Hopefully he gets rookie of the year.''

TORONTO _ The spotlight follows Andrew Wiggins like a shadow these days.

But the 20-year-old insists he's grown accustomed to the hype and hoopla that comes with being both the NBA's No. 1 draft pick and Canada's biggest basketball star.

It's obvious in the way he's been playing.

“When you're thought of as the face of the franchise, that's a huge responsibility,'' said Sam Mitchell, an assistant with Minnesota.

“It's tough, especially when you're 19. He goes at his pace, he doesn't get too high, he doesn't get too low, it's amazing how he takes it. I can't tell you how he feels inside, but from what I've seen and how he reacts and how he plays, it just doesn't faze him. . . . he understands all the hoopla, but he puts it in a box and sets it to the side at 7 o'clock, and he goes out and plays.''

Wiggins had 15 in the Timberwolves' 105100 loss to the Toronto Raptors, his first NBA appearance at the Air Canada Centre derailed by some early foul trouble.

Wiggins had received a warm ovation when he was introduced in Minnesota's starting lineup. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was even in attendance, posing for a pre-game photo with the young star from Vaughan, Ont. Barely a year ago, Wiggins sat courtside at the ACC as a fan to watch the Raptors battle Brooklyn in the playoffs.

“It's mind-blowing,'' Wiggins said, on the events of the past year. “Great opportunity to play in the NBA. It's an honour to be back home and play where I grew up at.''

He's averaging 15.7 points a night and has won all four rookie of the month awards thus far, blowing away pre-season expectations of the young Canadian and putting him on pace to win rookie of the year honours _ his goal for the season. He has shone in the biggest games, putting up 27 points against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that drafted him first overall only to turn around and trade him to Minnesota.

Wednesday morning, Wiggins was surrounded by more than 30 members of the media after the Timberwolves' shootaround. He wasn't flustered, evident in his wide smile.

“You get used to it,'' he said, on the media horde.

What has been tough to get used to is the NBA's heavy workload.

“This is the time of year where you feel it, with all the games played, especially with the injuries we've had. I've been taking care of my body, eating right, staying with the rhythm I'm in,'' he said. “It's really hard. If it was easy, everybody would do it.''

Wednesday night marked Game No. 67 for Wiggins.

The T'Wolves brought Kevin Garnett back to Minnesota, acquiring him in a trade in February. The 38-year-old has been a perfect mentor for the young Wiggins, knowing well what it feels like to be a teenage star on basketball's biggest stage.

“It has been (surreal). He's a living legend, he's one of the great, one of the best to ever do it,'' Wiggins said on playing with Garnett.

Added Mitchell: “Kevin's got a unique experience. He came into the league at 19 years old, with a lot of expectations, so as coaches we can't tell Andrew how that feels. Kevin lived it. He went through all of this, and he can tell Andrew what it's like, and about the responsibility that comes when you're being touted as the face of a franchise. . . because how many people in the NBA can relate to what Andrew's going through, better than Kevin Garnett?''

By Lori Ewing

“It's a grind,'' said Mitchell, who stepped in as Minnesota's head coach Wednesday night when Flip Saunders missed the game for personal reasons. “Andrew played, what, 30-plus games (in college)? We did that in two months. And so this is three (college) seasons all rolled into one for him, and for

THE CANADIAN PRESS Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

12

FILM

Vision / Winter 2015

Mekhi Phifer finds more to explore in 'The Divergent Series: Insurgent'

TORONTO _ As they say in show business, there are no small parts.

It's an adage especially apropos for the sprawling cast of the “Divergent'' sequel “Insurgent.''

An already impressive ensemble cast is bolstered by Oscar nominees Octavia Spencer and Naomi Watts, who are supporting players to the youthful heroes, tackled once again by Shailene Woodley and Theo James.

Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd and Mekhi Phifer return as world-weary adults charged with preserving a strict social structure in the film's dour dystopian future.

Society is divided into five groups tasked with cultivating specific personality traits: truthfulness in Candor, bravery in Dauntless, intelligence in Erudite, selflessness in Abnegation and peacefulness in Amity.

In describing the relationship he and his established co-stars had with the young leads, Phifer finds his own unique analogy.

“They're sort of the skeleton and we add some of the meat ... you know the muscles and the tissue and skin to it,'' Phifer says during a recent promotional stop in Toronto.

“We all kind of take a smaller role but we're all very impactful.''

Phifer gets a little more screen-time this time around, with his by-the-books Dauntless soldier Max now leading the hunt for renegade divergent Tris (Woodley) and her boyfriend Four (James).

leader of the Erudite elite, is increasingly desperate to locate the duo as a powerful tool emerges that could change things forever.

mind.''

Phifer says the advantage of working on a sequel is that the action can start immediately, without a plodding exposition to detail a complicated premise.

“I have no idea where Max is,'' he adds, noting the big screen adaptations are taking some “artistic license'' with the books.

“Since the world's already established, people know what that is, so now we can just be off to the races,'' says the former “ER'' and “8 Mile'' star.

And although Max now emerges as Jeanine's imposing enforcer, he's more complicated than that, says Phifer.

The action picks up three days after the first film ended, with the young lovers on the run and looking for allies among the other factions.

“We don't really know what he's thinking or what is going on but I really feel like he thinks that whatever he's doing is for the betterment of society,'' he says.

Winslet's steely-eyed Jeanine,

“It's a necessary evil in his

Phifer says he doesn't know anything about the next films but says he will be in them.

“It'll be interesting to see what they have me do.''

And with an acting bench this deep, Phifer says there's lots of opportunity for the film's broad universe to develop even further.

“I don't think any of us (were able) to show all of our chops in this yet. So we'll see where this goes.''

“The Divergent Series: Insurgent'' opens Friday.

By Cassandra Szklarski THE CANADIAN PRESS

lifestyle

Vision/ Winter 2015

13

BANG ON TREND! FASHION BITES

Pharrell Williams of high hats and cool shoes picked as 2015 fashion icon of the year

NEW YORK _ Pharrell Williams, fond of high hats and fabulous shoes, will be honoured as a fashion icon by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

“If cool was a person, it would be Pharrell, not just for his looks and sense of style but for his kindness and openness. I cannot imagine anyone not seduced by him,'' said Diane von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA, in a statement released Wednesday.

Gaga, Iman, Kate Moss and Nicole Kidman are among past winners.

In addition to music, Pharrell co-founded the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear. He has a New York City boutique and has co-designed jewelry and eyeglasses for Louis Vuitton.

The singer, songwriter and record producer was singled out for the Fashion Icon Award, to be bestowed June 1 at Lincoln Center, as Last year's recipient somebody whose individual style has made was Rihanna, who wore The Associated Press a signifi cant impact on a see-through dress 265x112_BlakeRealEstate_1-4page_ad.pdf 1 2013-05-22 3:20 PM (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, to collect her award. popular culture on an File) international scale.

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