CONTENTS DUDUS Coke 4 &Christopher Tivoli Garden's Shower Posse The Weeknd
15 Bokeem Woodbine - Balance 20 Diva's Corner 21 Sticky Pages 34 Short Stories 39
40 HEALTH
CARE: CANADA VS. AMERICA
Canada vs America
Health Care 43 BC Bud
Marc Emery
The Prince of Pot
46
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Christopher Dudus Coke:
GANGSTER OR ROBIN HOOD? Jamaica is among the top ten (10) countries with the highest homicide rates in the world. It is a high violence society with a comparable murder rate to Colombia, South Africa and Honduras mostly due to political violence and corruption. It is not uncommon to see armed forces patrolling the streets of Jamaican amongst citizens. Officials in Jamaica say that almost 80% of the murderous violence that goes on in Jamaica is caused by street gangs. Residents of Jamaica say that it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the government and the gangs. Fear of gang and government retribution keeps many of Jamaica's citizens in silence. The media says that approximately 70 people were killed in I May 2010, when Jamaican security forces launched an attack on Tivoli Gardens, the inner-city community in Kingston, the capital, where alleged drug lord Christopher Dudus Coke resided, in an attempt to find and capture him. Many residents say that far more then 70 people were slaughtered, some innocent civilians all in an attempt to capture one man. The alleged corruption and rampant violence made many reluctant to talk to Don Diva Magazine when we attempted to conduct interviews to tell the story of Jamaica's most infamous and beloved drug Don, Christopher Dudus Coke. However, it was the ties to the country that the CEO/ President of Don Diva Canada has in the country and with the Coke family that allowed us to do this story. Born and raised in the streets of Toronto Canada's 'Little Jamaica' (Vaughan and
Oakwood) Kama grew up with very strong Jamaican influence. He watched these Jamaican 'gangsters' with their nice cars and money and jewels from a young age and was very impressed and very curious about his lifestyle. He was always out in the streets and was respected by older heads in the neighborhood who saw him as a stand out youth, they would give him advice and show him the ropes and offer him protection. Growing up he never really knew for sure if these people were part of this 'gang' because the members of the Shower Posse don't talk about their affiliation openly. They are a very private group, something like a secret society As Kama got older people began to open up to him. Real members of the Shower Posse, who grew up in Tivloi Gardens, began to share stories about life in Jamaica and as a part of the Shower Posse. This sparked Kama's interest even further. The youngest generations of the Coke 5 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
family are scattered around North America and Kama knows some of them and is in regular communication with them.
Christopher Dudus Coke
After showing his loyalty and growing up with these people, Kama was granted access to Tivoli Gardens, an area which is almost never visited by outsiders and where outsiders are not really welcome. Through his connections Kama was introduced to one of Coke's defense attorneys and other insiders that could help him put together this story. Going into the heart of the war zone, where no other outsiders are seen, without his personal connection with him made the experience sobering. People in the Tivoli Garden's community and in other parts of Jamaica were shocked to see Kama, as an outsider, come in and
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get so much access. Kama was allowed to shoot a video and conduct interviews with both low ranking members and very highranking members of the Shower Posse for this story. Many people didn't want to be identified out of fear. Fear of the police who are on the hunt for all members of the Shower Posse or known affiliates of Dudus and out of fear of just being made a public name and face knowing other 'gangs' in Jamaica were looking to move in on the new don or those next in line to Dudus. And as mentioned before they're just a private group of people who like to boast their connections and affiliations. Getting the inside story on Jamaica's most feared and infamous don, Christopher "Dudus' Coke was no easy take but it was a challenge Don Diva accepted willingly
Don Diva Canada Owner/ DOP, Kama, visiting Kingston Jamaica
*****************************
Michael Christopher "Dudus" Coke, allegedly one of Jamaica's most powerful and notorious drug lords and leader of an international criminal organization known as the Shower Posse, was sentenced to 23 years in prison on charges that included r a c k e t e e r i n g , conspiracy and drug trafficking.
Coke supporters launched attacks on 14 police stations, triggering raids and clashes with the police. Authorities say Coke allegedly brought in gunmen from other parts of Jamaica and the Caribbean to fight back and prevent his capture. Jamaican authorities began moving in on Coke's barricaded West Kingston neighborhood in an attempt to capture him. Hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help the capital's police force sweep through Tivoli Gardens and surrounding areas in search of Coke, producing the biggest mobilization of the security forces in Jamaican history. Natives say that while the media is only reporting 73 deaths, the numbers were well into the hundreds with another 500 detained and dozens of weapons seized. This bloody showdown had Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, in a state of emergency for over 30 days after the initial altercation.
By American standards, the 23 years Coke received doesn't sound terribly long, but his conviction will draw to a close one of the most explosive criminal cases in Jamaican history. The country was almost brought to its knees two years ago when Coke's ar med supporters flocked to the slums of Kingston in order to block security forces battling to arrest and extradite their beloved Don to the United States. Coke's apprehension on June 22, 2010, came after a month-long manhunt and days of blood shed. Media reports claim that at least 73 people were killed during four days of gun battle. The massive violence was sparked when police and soldiers stormed the Tivoli Garden slum, Coke's stronghold, in an attempt to take him into custody. The ferocity of the raid shocked the world as the deaths of police and troops were graphically caught on camera.
Christopher Dudus Coke
knowing that we would shed light on to the situation truthfully and unbiased, making the residents of Tivoli Garden proud to have participated.
Dudas Coke in the disguise he was caught in
This is more than just a case of another international drug trafficker being arrested for selling millions of dollars in narcotics…the story goes much deeper. Born March 12, 1969, during an ongoing civil war in Tivoli Gardens (one of Kingston's, most notorious governmentow n e d h o u s i n g p r o j e c t s ) , M i c h a e l Christopher Coke, also known as Dudus, The President, Pressie, Shortman, or just Mikey, was said to already have his path laid out before him. Many believe it was his destiny to become the man he allegedly turned into in recent years. 7 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
Christopher Dudus Coke
War is familiar to residents of the inner cities in Jamaica. For Dudus, it was deeper than that. Dudus was fathered by Lester Lloyd Coke, better known as Jim Brown. This made him no stranger to political corruption and gang life. Jim Brown was said to be one of the original members of the Shower Posse, a street gang known to be associated with Jamaica's Labor Party (JLP). How the gang became known as the Shower Posse is something debated among many to this day. According to some, the name originated from a speech given by Prime Minister Edward Seaga (a member of the JLP), where he said, "Blessing will shower from the sky and money going jingle in your pockets." Others say it was the JLP slogan "Shower" in response to the PNP slogan "Power". Still, many on the streets say the name came from the group being known to spray "showers" of bullets on members of rival gangs. Although Jim Brown was a major player in the Shower Posse and a very influential resident in Tivoli Garden, his authority and business connections extended much farther than the inner city streets.
Brown were eventually dropped when one person claimed to be the sole owner of the drugs and took responsibility for all of the charges associated with the possession. After finally being cleared of the charges in 1987, Brown decided it was time to head back home to Jamaica. Unfortunately, Brown's return home was not a sweet one. Upon arrival, he learned that his daughter, known as Mumpi, had been shot. He was also arrested for an outstanding warrant that had been issued for the Rema killings. However, Brown managed to get away from the long arm of the law, being acquitted of all charges once again. Although Brown hadn't been in Jamaica for three years, the community loved him just the same. Upon his release, he was given an army-style gun salute outside of the courthouse by members of the community. Hundreds of people lined the streets waiting for him and carried him back to Tivoli on their shoulders.
By this time, Dudus was 18 years old and believed to be an active member of the Shower Posse. Life for Dudus and his father In 1984, Jim Brown led his gang into Rema, continued on with the Shower Posse in another neighborhood in Kingston, Tivoli for three more years. In 1990, the Jamaica, where they murdered 12 people. United States announced an indictment by This incident is referred to as the "Rema the American Justice Department naming Killings." The killings led to an arrest warrant Jim Brown, Vivian Blake and many others in being issued for Jim Brown, causing Brown two separate murder cases and one to flea Jamaica and head to Miami, Florida. U p o n h i s a r r i va l i n M i a m i , B r o w n supposedly met up with his confidant, V i v i a n B l a ke. B l a ke wa s a l l e g e d l y responsible for running the U.S. based operations of the Shower Posse. After meeting with Blake, it is believed that there was internal "house cleaning" needing to be done which led to the execution of five people. Life went on for Brown and Blake in Miami until the summer of 1985 when the two of them, along with nine others, were arrested and charged with marijuana trafficking. The police seized over 100 pounds of marijuana from a location where the group was present. The charges against
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This case against Brown and his American afďŹ liates, was the ďŹ rst time the RICO Act was used against Jamaican gangs..
In 1984, Jim Brown (Coke's Father) allegedly led his gang into Rema, another neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica where they murdered 12 people. This incident is referred to as the Rema Killings.
Christopher Dudus Coke
quintuple homicide case. The U.S. also claimed to have been investigating Brown's involvement in a multi-million dollar drug ring since 1988. Now that Brown was wanted on an international warrant he had to lay low and step away from his leadership position in the gang. This is when it is believed that Dudus's brother, Jah T, stepped up and became the leader in his community and of the Shower Posse. Soon after, Brown was arrested and taken to the General Penitentiary, now known as the Tower Street Adult Correctional Center, where he awaited his extradition to Miami. Coke supporters protested his capture and were willing to die to stop his arrest.
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Christopher Dudus Coke
The RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act is a U.S. federal law allowing leaders of a criminal syndicate to be charged with crimes they ordered or assisted others in perpetrating. This law is focused specifically on organized criminal groups and racketeering, used in the past to prosecute members of the Italian Mafia. Pressure from the American government led to the arrest of Brown by Jamaican police.
Christopher Coke but more well known as Royal Blend or Chris Royal and a friend named Jello, were shot to death by police. This caused yet another uproar by members of the community, leading to the burning of Cross Road Police Station and the death of the active police inspector on the day following the shooting. Some say this was the beginning of the end for Dudus.
Aftermath of the showdown between the government and Coke's supporters.
Why were they willing to die?
In 1992, while Brown was still in prison awaiting his extradition to the U.S., Jah T was shot off his motorcycle at the corner of Maxfield Avenue and Spanishtown Road. The death of Jah T allegedly triggered a war spreading from Kingston to Florida, leaving many dead and many more injured. While still coping with the loss of his brother, Dudus was about to face an even bigger blow. The day Jah T was buried, his father, the legendary Jim Brown, mysteriously burned to death in his jail cell. Brown was to be extradited to the U.S. the following day. Armed with his street knowledge and the rage that filled him after the deaths of his father and brother, Dudus took his place as the heir apparent to the Shower Posse. In 2004, Dudus's other brother, also named 10 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
Dudus began his rise to power, and he rose quickly. He began to say and do things that were not being addressed by leaders of the inner city communities. He gained the highest level of respect, not only from Tivoli Gardens and the Shower Posse, but from many other gangs and residents of other, even rival neighborhoods. This is when the world would change for Dudus. Some describe Coke as Jamaica's answer to Pablo Escobar, the late Colombian drug trafficker whose benevolence in the community afforded him absolute control and respect – a modern day Robin Hood in a sense. Remaining fair and just, local residents nicknamed Coke President out of affection for him being a role model and
benefactor. Coke's main enterprises were economic and community development in the inner city.
Ty p i c a l l y, J a m a i c a n residents have a deep distrust of the police who are often seen as agents of the country's elite. Plagued with hatred and fear towards the local police in Tivoli, Dons such as Coke guaranteed a measure of protection in the midst of police corruption and criminality. Many believe that Coke benefited from these overbearing levels of corruption. When placed in a fearful and unsettling environment, one seeks solace in someone who appears to be on their side. Coke provided a semblance of protection and a form of law and order that the government had not been able to achieve. Through his generosity, Coke gained the loyalty of his people. This loyalty didn't end with his native people, he allegedly had many U.S. drug dealers paying homage as well. According to the U.S. indictment, drug dealers in the U.S. regularly sent "cash and
goods, including clothing and electronics, to Coke as 'tribute' payments, in recognition of his leadership and assistance.”
The Alleged Crimes United States officials said Michael Christopher "Dudus" Coke was the alleged leader of the notorious Jamaican Shower Posse Gang, whom the government claims to be an international criminal syndicate that has trafficked cocaine, marijuana and arms throughout the United States, Canada and United Kingdom since the 1980's. Yet in the Garrison neighborhoods of Kingston, Coke was a successful businessman with strong political influence, operating the two ventures, Presidential Click and Incomparable Enterprise. In 2009, The United States Department of Justice placed Coke on its Consolidated Priority Organizations Targets list (a list of international "command and control" drug traffickers and money launderers) and requested his extradition to the United States for his alleged crimes. According to an indictment filed in a Manhattan federal court, Coke was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and conspiracy to illegally traffic in firearms from 1994-2007.
Christopher Dudus Coke
The Garrison community of Tivoli Gardens is similar to slums all over the world where citizens live in extreme pover ty, are neglected by the government, and seen as a burden to the state. Coke did what he could to make life easier in Tivoli Gardens since most residents had limited means to earn money. Coke's popularity stemmed from his generosity towards the people. He paid for children to go to school, gave money to those in need, and provided them with a source of livelihood. He also kept them safe, and in his own way, law-abiding. He enforced a strict 8:00 p.m. curfew for children across the neighborhood, and the Tivoli Gardens was said to be completely free of petty theft. Upon Coke's extradition, mothers were forced to wonder who was going to buy their children lunch or take care of their medical bills when they got sick.
To make its case, the United States utilized satellite technology aimed directly at the village of Tivoli Gardens to spy on Coke and his associates. According to a security expert with knowledge of the operation, the U.S. has powerful audio and video evidence of activities involving Coke and several government officials, including members of 11 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
Christopher Dudus Coke
the legislature, inside the Tivoli Gardens community. "With the use of Satellite Internet Telemetry Systems (SIMS), the U.S. has captured the make, color, and license plates of vehicles entering and exiting Tivoli Gardens at specific periods, as well as conversations," the expert said. "Satellite service is available anywhere in the world for the system to operate. The system is very simple. Set your coordinates, hook up your sensors, point the antenna to the sky, and turn on your equipment," added the expert, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The United States utilized satellite technology aimed directly at the village of Tivoli Gardens to spy on C o k e a n d h i s associates ... the U.S. has powerful audio and video evidence of activities involving Coke and several government officials ...
visas into the United States. Days after the announcement of the sanctions, the mayhem on the streets of Kingston ensued between Coke supporters and police.
Kingston Under Siege Troubled by the thought that his country had the highest murder rate in the Western Hemisphere, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington issued a plea to the many Coke supporters asking them to be calm and give the justice system a chance to work. In one fi n a l e f fo r t t o p l e a d h i s c a s e, t h e Commissioner assured the public that every effort was being made to ensure Coke's safety while in custody. His pleas fell on deaf ears as livid protestors littered the streets displaying signs that read "LEAVE COKE ALONE PLEASE," while others implied that Coke did a better job of protecting the people than the government. When an alleged drug lord has this much power in any state, it suggests that state has lost the power and ability to maintain law and order.
People on the streets of Tivoli believed there was an American sniper involved in the search for Dudus. This sniper allegedly shot many people out of nowhere. People also claimed the number of casualties reported in the media was only about half of the real number. Authorities were seen putting two Initially, the Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce bodies in each casket and reported only Golding (elected in 2007), refused to one person per casket. Many of the victims c o o p e r a t e w i t h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s who were shot and killed during the search government by delaying the extradition for were innocent members of the community over eight months. Many believe this is whose only crime was living in the ghetto. because of the political influence of the Most of the real members of the Showa Jamaican Shower Posse members who Posse had already fled Tivoli by the time this have been tied to the Jamaican Labor Party. whole messy affair began. However, it is more likely that the Prime Minister was concer ned with the government secrets Coke could be tempted Cease Fire to share with the U.S. if he decided to make On June 25, 2010, Coke and Reverend Al a deal for leniency. Succumbing to extreme Miller drove towards the United States pressure from the Obama administration, Embassy so he could turn himself over to the Jamaican Prime Minister issued a United States authorities. The vehicle was warrant for the arrest of Christopher stopped at a checkpoint in Saint Catherine "Dudus" Coke. Natives we interviewed said Parish, where Dudus was recognized. He the United States began enacting sanctions surrendered peacefully to police and was against Jamaica and canceling Jamaican taken to a nearby station where he waived
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"Everyone, the whole country, has been adversely affected by the process that has surrounded my extradition, and I hope that my action today will go some way towards healing all who have suffered and will be of benefit to the community of Tivoli Gardens.” Within hours, Coke was flown to New York City in a private jet to be arraigned in federal court.
Don Diva's Kama Hits the Streets... When you hear the name the Showa (Shower) Posse, it doesn't just ring bells, it's cause for an alarm. I was about 12 years old when I heard about the Shower Posse for the first time. Since then I've been fascinated with all the hype that surrounds them. Now in the 21st century, the Showa Posse is the only known gang of the underworld to be pursued by, and at war with, both the Jamaican and American governments. Because of their violent history and leaders like Coke, the Showa Posse has become household news, making headlines on CNN, CBC, NBC, BBC, and news media across the world. Since the early 80's, the Showa Posse has been recognized as the most notorious and ruthless criminal organization to hit the United States. High-ranking members of other criminal organizations such as the Italian Mafia, Triads and others said the group they fear the most is the Jamaican Shower Posse. Even though the Showa Posse gained notoriety when Jim Brown was the leader, the Posse was well known before he took the helm. The original leader of the Showa Posse, Claudius Massup was one of the most notorious men in Kingston. Massup started the gang as the Showa 16, a 16-
member crew all armed with M16s. It all came to an end one day when Massup decided he was above the politicians that the Showa 16 were tied to, Edward Seagua and the JNP. Massup slapped Seauga's wife and was shot to death for it. This incident ended his reign but left behind the newly formed Showa Posse. A member of Dudus's defense team who wanted to remain anonymous said, "You have a lot of guys who claim to be Showa Posse and affiliate themselves with that name. When you affiliate yourself, it comes with a lot of respect and people in the gangster world fear that. Now it has turned into this big thing where it's gone into the media, people are writing books, and claiming it's a large worldwide organization," which in his opinion, it's not. The Showa Posse is mainly in Jamaica and is comprised of only a very small core group. The defense lawyer was still very reluctant to talk about any details of the case, but he did open up a little and said the case against Mr. Coke was very weak. Witnesses against Mr. Coke were his associates who made statements against him after being coerced by the FBI. These statements were then recanted. The witnesses were not credible and were convicted criminals themselves. The grounds on which these charges were laid were based off a wiretap. The wiretap included an individual in the U.S. claiming to be a part of the Showa Posse who reached out to an unknown person who is supposedly Dudus via telephone. The man on the line in the U.S. says he wants to send some "ting dem" (which is supposedly a reference to guns) from the U.S. to Jamaica for Dudus. Even though he is never referred to as Dudus or any of the other names Mr. Coke has been known to go by. Not to mention, the person on the line in the Jamaica side never agrees or disagrees to accept the "ting dem". There was a second conversation where the person on the line in Jamaica who confirmed the "ting dem"
Christopher Dudus Coke
his right to an extradition hearing. Shortly after his arrest, he issued the following statement:
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Christopher Dudus Coke
had arrived. From the two conversations, it's still unclear who the people on either side of the line were, and how it lead to all this war and killing.
Many people refer to this search for Dudus as a modern day witch hunt. People in the Tivoli Garden say Dudus was a nice, caring leader and protector. But, the American government claims it received letters from Members of the Waterhouse crew claim that several Jamaican women who reported that the real reason why this all started, and why Dudus had abused them and requested Dudus was the target, is because Dudus that the harshest penalty possible be and the Showa Posse had become more handed down. Again, many people tie these powerful and popular than the government. claims to the conspiracy against Dudus and Not too long before this search started, his family's legacy. Dudus allegedly sent out orders that the people of Kingston and many other Dudus plead guilty to the charges of parishes across Jamaica followed. This is trafficking over three tons of marijuana and when people started to refer to Dudus as 30 pounds of cocaine to the U.S. in front of a Pressie and President. The orders included judge in New York. Subsequently, he was a curfew and an end to war. Rules were also sentenced to 23 years in a U.S. federal imposed, saying no innocent people, artists prison and required to pay $1.5 million in and or elderly people are to be robbed and forfeiture of his profits. A lot of Dudus's there was to be no rape, ever. supporters believe he was tricked into the plea while other groups feel he was guilty all With these rules in motion and many people along. Others blame him for letting many following them, Dudus went even further to innocent people die during the manhunt in say, "Fuck the politics," which was the Tivoli. original message of the Showa Posse, started by the original boss Claudius One thing is for sure, the legend and the Massop. They told the people not to fight or legacy of the Coke family lives on. cause war over JNP and PNP, because there shouldn't be political war between Is this the end of the story? We think not. Show (Showa Posse) and Pow (Power, a street gang associated with PNP). The people of Jamaica agreed with what Dudus said and followed his rules and orders. The government didn't like that Dudus had so much power and wasn't backing the political war. So, the authorities turned Dudus into Jamaica's most wanted months after America had filed the extradition request. Some people say the allegations of crimes dating back to 1994 came from information from a lot of unlikely people who may be involved in this conspiracy against Dudus. One of them was longtime associate of Dudus' father, Vivian Blake. When the charges were brought up against Dudus, Blake was released from jail on an unexplained early release. Shortly after, Blake's children wrote a book supposedly incriminating the Coke family further.
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Coke plead guilty to the charges of trafficking over three tons of marijuana and 30 pounds of cocaine to the U.S. ... Subsequently he was sentenced to 23 years and required to pay $1.5 million in forfeiture of his profits.
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Who is THE WEEKND?
If empty sex, hard drugs, R&B and indie rock satisfy your late night appetite, then the deep, dark sounds of the Weeknd is definitely your flavour. The tormented music of Toronto native singer Abel Tesfaye is borderline depressing, but in an artistic and deep way that makes yo u w a n t fe e l t h e singer's pain. On the surface, the songs released on his debut mixtape House of Balloons (2011) do not come from an emotionally profound place (the majority of those tracks were set in the bedroom, club, or the morning after - pill hangover in full effect), but the dark mood and bleak outlook takes over, captivating listeners, and the agony felt in the songs is what draws so much attention to his music. Despite it being his first and free, when you listened to House of Balloons, it feels like you're listening to a full album; it feels polished yet indie simultaneously. Catching the attention of internationalsuper star and also Toronto native Drake. Drake is said to have mentored The Weeknd and was also featured on one of his mix tapes later that year, Thursday.
pair went on to release several tracks together including 'Crew Love', which was featured on Drake's Take Care album. Taking The Weeknd's buzz to another level. It seemed as if The Weeknd and Drake's friendship was growing both in and out of the studio. In late 2012 when Drake turned his brand October's Very Own into a record label there was a lot of speculation that the first person to sign to his label would in fact be The Weeknd. After all many people felt that Drake had posed as a major stepping stone for himfast forwarding his road to riches. When The Weeknd decided to sign instead with American based Republic Records, it seems as though things went sour for the 'Canadian dream team'. Rumours spread and a lot of speculation went into some of Drake's lyrics in tracks like Started From The Bottom and 5am In Toronto. Drake has kept it clean and proper always and wished The Weeknd luck in his future endeavours. The weeknd's next move shocked the world especially us Canadians…..Belly?!? TheWeeknd then took on Belly as his manager. Belly who was supposedly robbed for jewels and over $10 000 in NYC's Quad
TheWeeknd
Who is the Weeknd?
Drake had been responsible for generating a lot of a w a re n e s s f o r T h e Weeknd inviting him along to many star studded events. Drake also linked The Weeknd's music on his own very popular website, October's Very Own. The
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Who is THE WEEKND?
Recording Studios while trying to set up a deal with Fabolous. Belly who allegedly snitched on his own Dad? Over Drake who is the best thing popping out of Canada right now. It had been reported working with Drake came along with too many hands in the pot, Universal, Young Money, and OVO all needing their cut. After taking on Belly as the manager for The Weeknd and the XO Brand they were all signed to CP (Capital Punishment) Records. Shortly after The Weeknd would go on tour. This is when news had spread that although The Weeknd was a force to be reckoned with in the studio he isn't the best live performer out which effected his wor ld wide recognition. At the same time CP was pushing the XO merchandise which was never able to make it as big as it should have due to the fact that the bootleggers had dominated the production of "XO" merchandise for years. Let's go back to when The Weeknd first emerged on the scene he remained anonymous for some time, there was a lot of buzz going around at that time The Weekend was actually a group of artists not a solo artist. This is because The Weeknd was and still is associated with the XO Brand. Which is originally just a street crew composed of a few talented young men. Including two young men known as Hyghly and Lamar.
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Both Hyghly and Lamar were already very well known for their filming directing and eye for photography would work on filming and directing for Drake early on in their careers. XO as a crew was an all in one production team with a huge street buzz and cult following. This group of friends with the stress of touring and the influence of CP Records executive the crew was about to go through their first split. It had been said that executives at their label purposely drove the wedge between the crew members in order to take over the use of the XO brand. In January 2014 Hyghly would part ways with the crew and go on to sign on as a director for BHC films. Unfortunately CP Records lost a lot of its artists including Belly and Jordan. After upsetting The Weeknd by associating the XO brand which is meant to be one of peace and love with some unsavoury characters they're on the edge of losing him too. It has been reported that The Weeknd and Lamar have reached out to Hyghly in hope to reconcile the original XO and what it was really about.We all hope for the best in the future of The Weeknd and all
We look forward to seeing and hearing whats next from them. members of the XO crew.
E N I B D O O W M E E K BO Balance: BOKEEM WOODBINE
BALANCE
H
ollywood actor and legend Bokeem Woodbine has joined forces with a Canadian film writer. Known well for his roles in Crooklyn, Strapped, Jason's Lyric, Gridlock'd, and in dozens of big and small screen hits. Bokeem recently played Harry in summer blockbuster Total Recall 2. Next he plans to play the lead role in 'BALANCE' a film written by Toronto based film writer Kevin Clarke. The pair are also both named as coexecutive producers of the film.
The duo hit it off after meeting through Charles Pearth of International House of Music who is said to be representing both parties and is also named as producer on the film. After reading Clarke's script Bokeem was immediately on board with the project and started associating the film with his own company, Woodbine Enterprises. The project is scheduled to begin filming summer this year (2013) in multiple international locations and of course in the GTA area of Ontario. So far we know BALANCE is an urban contemporary romantic drama. Although the parties involved with the film have kept pretty tight lipped about the script but we do know is this isn't another low budget canadian flick. The film has it all from hollywood heavy hitters to new Canadian talent and hood ties to love scenes. The film has already generated quite a buzz and the rumours are flying. It is rumoured that Canadian hip hop super star Drake has
been in talks about playing a role in this film and being featured on the sound track along
The film has already generated quite a buzz and the rumours are flying with many other Canadian and international super stars. It has also been heard that Ving Rhames maybe also be involved in this The project. The film is also said to have enlisted multiple crew members from the UK. We are defiantly looking forward to seeing this film and hearing more in the near future. 19 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
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man can be comfortable with a woman who would
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Shorts Issue2 Shorts Issue
WONDAGURL
Reining out of Brampton Ontario teenaged producer WundaGurl has lived up to her name at young age. Born Ebony Oshunrinde this high school student truly is a wonder. At the age 15 WundaGirl won the Battle of the Beat Makers competition in Toronto. Shortly after she was credited for production on Jay-Z's Magna Carter Holy Grail, on the 'Crown' track
T MINUS
T-Minus, a Canadian based record producer from Ajax Ontario, born Tyler Williams produced a number of number one hit singles by some of hip hop heaviest hitters. Including TI, Ciara, Nikki Minaj, Plies, Ludacris, Bird Man, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Slaughterhouse, just to name a few. T-Minus has produced tracks that have went on to be nominated for coveted Grammy Awards such as Ludacris' How Low in 2009 and Drake's The Moto in 2013.
HEARTLESS G
Many say Chael Mills better known as Heartless G or just Heartless is one of the best gangsta rappers of his times. At a very young age Heartless put out many underground bangers including Hood LIfe, Real Shyt and many more His Hardcore lyrics and gritty gang slang generated a huge cult following. His underground fan base was thriving in 2010 when Mills would be taken off the street for life‌ But that didn't mean his career was over. From within the holds of an Ontario correctional facility Heartless dropped Feel My Pain and a number of other street bangers. Be sure to get the full story on Heartless G in our next issue. 39 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
“What are you complaining about? You have national health coverage!” a comedian
have equal access to healthcare, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. The ones hurt most by this are those living in poor, urban areas.
So why is American healthcare such a disaster? It's simple, mocks Canadians for having actually. Because the American universal healthcare on a VH1 government is not willing to cover program. It was a comment made the bill for any of its citizens. as a joke, and although it was Which leads us to another major funny, it was extremely true. issue in American healthcare Canadians are spoiled when it i n s u r a n c e . U. S . i n s u r a n c e comes to health care. But when it p r o v i d e r s a r e f o r p r o fi t comes to the issue of healthcare companies, and the system is in America, what are Americans one of the most corrupt in the world. The goal of health left with? The answer – nothing. insurance companies in the U.S. After relocating to New Jersey is to cover healthy individuals; from Toronto with my husband in while denying sick or high risk 2005, I was shocked when I citizens any coverage at all. This learned firsthand the realities of way, the insurance companies American healthcare (or lack avoid having to pay for any thereof). I once went to a walk in lifesaving operations, medication, or procedures. Paying for any I realized I had been necessary medical care would invoiced for everything cost them too much money. They need this money to go towards from the visit cost, their own salaries. The United down to a piece of gauzeStates is the only industrialized that had been used country in the world without a clinic in Montclair, N.J. Since I had universal health system. They are no insurance, I had to pay. Later ranked number 37 on the list of that day when I sat down to look at The World Health Organization's the bill, I realized I had been health systems. invoiced for everything from the visit cost, down to a piece of Many people who are not insured gauze that had been used during eventually get sick, or end up in my appointment. At that moment, the emergency room sooner or American healthcare became a later. These people are denied reality. And that reality was bleak. health care, or sometimes thrown According to American Prospect, out of the hospital if they cannot about 50 million Americans are pay their bill. The ones who are uninsured, and tens of millions lucky enough to receive treatment a r e u n d e r - i n s u r e d . U n l i k e are stuck with medical bills so Canada, in the U.S., there's no high it can put them in severe law saying all Americans must debt, and in some cases, the debt 40 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
HEALTH CARE: CANADA VS. AMERICA
Back in 1993, First Lady Hilary Clinton tried – and failed – to bring universal health care to America's citizens. can subsequently decimate their whole lives and their families lives. The people
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BC BUD Over half of the Canadian population has admitted to at least trying weed at some point in their life.
That BC bud, those northern lights, good old Canadian hydro, yup‌ the good stuff is big business. The British Columbia marijuana business generates approximately 7 Billion dollars a year. People say this was a result of cheap hydro electric, plenty of water and sunshine and ideal outdoor growing spaces. Over half of the Canadian population has admitted to at least trying weed at some point in their life. The rest don't know what they're missing. But not only Canadians are enjoying this wonderful crop, there are over 50 million weed smokers across north america. Up 100,000 percent since 1937 when there was 55,000 known marijuana smokers. Canadian Kush grown in beautiful BC isn't just limited to North America, although they say that about 85 percent of it is sold in America, stands of this high grade Canadian hydro can be found all over the world. 43 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
money they buy cars, condos, and clothes in turn boosting the economy not the
So how has this business become so big under the radar of the Canadian government and why hasn't the RCMP or other law enforcement shut this down? Considering weed is still illegal in Canada. The fact is it isn't under the radar, Being one of Canada's and BC's number one cash crop. The reason this has been allowed to turn into a multi billion dollar industry up here is MONEY! Money, money, money, and everyone is getting some from lil joey hustling dime bags on the corner to government ofďŹ cials.
in BC.
BC BUD
As you're reading this some lucky guy is sitting in a coffee shop in Amsterdam pufďŹ ng on delicious BC bud.
Once upon a time hydro was rare, hard to come across and carried a hefty price tag. Jamaican and Mexican sess dominated the black market and was the most readily available to smokers across the western hemisphere. In recent times high grade sess has become the market rarity in Canada and can be very expensive as well. This is not just a coincidence. When Canadian weed growers and dealers make 44 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
Some say that the US government forces have been involved in this hydro take over for more then money. There has been rumours and or speculation that hydro has been pushed as like 'fast food' containing all the added toxins and chemicals and not so natural growing methods as some of the weed grown in foreign countries. It is said that they have enhanced these weeds in ways that have enhanced animals to produce fast food. and used many toxic growing chemicals and such in attempt to turn weed into a killer crop. Making the lies that were spread about weed years to be
Lies like weed smoking kills brain cells and causes true.
cancer.
I can't confirm that these rumours are true but I can confirm that the propaganda spread by gover nment officials years ago was all lies. There has never been a case of cancer caused by weed smoking, There is no direct link to the use of marijuana leading to the use of other drugs and weed smoking has never caused a case of brown lung syndrome or emphysema. There has also never been any proof that weed smoking or any method of consuming marijuana kills brain cells. In fact in 2005 Xia Zhang of The University of Saskatchewan reported smoking weed may actually stimulate brain cell growth.
But none will ever compare to that real true BC bud.
BC BUD
Over the years weed has had its up and downs and there are many different strands available for smoking right here in Canada.
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Summer Of The Gun
SUMMER OF THE GUN Pulse 24 said "Its the summer of the gun” Gun and gang violence has been part of the Toronto streets for many years now. But this past summer Toronto made headlines news world wide with two shocking 'gang' related shootings. Order, discretion and principal seem to be lost in today's youth. Both of the events that took place this summer were frowned upon by older, well know street niggas.
'The Eaton Centre Shooting’ On June 8 2012, a young man walked into the always crowed Toronto Eaton Centre food court where he just happened to spot two of his 'enemies'. These two young men were later identified as 24 year old Ahmed Hassan and --- year old Nixxon Nirmalendran. Both Nixxon and Ahmed were shot along with 5 innocent bystanders on that Saturday evening. Ahmed Hassan was pronounced dead on the scene, after suffering multipal gun shots to the chest and neck. 2 men and 2 women all in their 20s and a 13 year old boy who suffered a single gun shot wound to the head were broth to local hospitals, along with Nixxon Nirmalendran who days later
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succumbed to his injuries.The gun shots sent thousands of people scrambling for safety, leaving a young soon to be mother trampled in the chaos. Some how the shooter managed to escape. The following Monday June 10 2012, 23 year old Christopher Husbands tuned himself into police as the alleged shooter in this reckless and dare I say stupid public shooting. Christopher who was on house arrest for a sexual assault at the time of the shooting and the two fatal victims were identified by police as street gang members from Toronto's Regent Park and Alexandra Park (two of downtown Toronto's housing projects). Christopher Husbands had been stabbed over a dozen times weeks before this shooting, allegedly by a group of people including the two deceased victims. Adam Vaughan a Toronto city councillor who's district includes the Alexandra Park housing complex claims before these events there had been escalating violence between the Alexandra Park and Regent Park youth. Mr Vaughan also says he heard a shooting minutes before the eaton centre shooting in Alexandra Park. Many other witnesses recall hearing 3 gun shots fired and some even saw a man fleeing the area on foot with a 'black had gun'. This left a lot of GTA residents on edge about 'gang' violence. Although police and the city's mayor claimed this was an isolated incident, people just didn't feel safe
The Danzig Shooting
Monday July 16th 2012. over 100 people are at an east end community barbecue in the Danzig housing complex. This barbecue was put on by some local community members as an event for the children in the community. As the day turned to night the organizer of the barbecue said "We were shutting it down because everybody started to come, and so I round up the kids and gave them their goody bags to go." But the party still went on, the kids were still playing and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Until about 10pm when the shots rang out. Leaving 2 dead and 23 others wounded. This at the time being the worst public shooting in North America ever. The two people killed, 14 year old Shyanne Charles and 23 year old Joshua Yasay were innocent bystanders who's only crime was being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Summer Of The Gun
anymore. Many were fearing a 2nd Summer was just the beginning of the action they of the Gun (summer 2005 where more then 2 were looking to take against gang members and anyone illegally owns a fire arm across dozen people were killed by firearms) the city. Just over a month later, when people were starting to loosen up and lay off the incident a Community members, religious heads and little… Toronto made head lines news world activists came out and came together organizing a number of protests, wide Again! community rallies and marches. This was
something we have never seen in Toronto, hundreds of people gathered for weeks in
Almost immediately after the shooting fingers were pointing at the on going 'gang war' between rival neighborhoods Malvern and Galloway. The active police chief Bill Blair immediately started deploying almost double the amount of officers to known gang hot spots across the city. And he promised it
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FREE
Free Marc Emery
marcemery COLUMBIA NORTH’S CANIBUS KING Marc Scott Emery aka The Prince of Pot was born on February 13 1958, in the “small” town of London Ontario.
Marc started showing his business mentality and what some would call genius at a very early age. Opening and operating his first business at the tender age of just 9 years old, a mail order company buying and selling stamps called Stamp Treasure. At the age of 11 he started another mail order company named Marc's Comic Room. To the surprise of many Marc dropped out of high school in 1975 at the age of 17. Again to explore his business side, and purchase a used book store in the down town area of his home town London Ontario. Marc was always fighting for rights and helping his city out. Shortly after opening City Lights
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Bookshop while still in his teen age years, Marc began a fight against the LDBA (London Downtown Business Association) for forcing businesses in the area to pat fees for beautification of the downtown area. Again in 1986 Marc stepped up to help the community by organizing an emergency garbage pick up during the garbage strike in his area. From 1980 to 1990 Marc got involved in politics running for many different positions and forming the Freedom Party of Ontario, which is still a functioning political party in the province of Ontario. He also founded the No Tax For Pan-Am Games Committee who successfully campaigned against London's bid for the Pan Am games saving the city from losing millions of dollars. But this good samaritan turned politician’s knack for standing up to 'the man' and bending the rules came with many brushes with the law. In 1986 and 87 Marc would break the sunday shopping laws by opening his store eight sundays in a row. Which lead to a number fines which he refused to pay later resulting in a short jail sentence. Soon
In 1994 his big ideas were too much for the small town of London Ontario and Marc moved to Vancouver BC (weed capital of Canada). That year Marc founded Hemp BC a store specializing in weedrelated paraphernalia. With that he began to impor t and wholesale a number of paraphernalia products, opening the door for many like stores and businesses. At that time section 462.2 of the criminal code made selling or even promoting pipes, bongs or other weed related products illegal. Later that year Marc sponsored a court challenge convincing a judge to over turn the Canadian prohibition on weed related literature, making it legal to sell High Times, other like magazines and any other weed related books including books on how to successfully grow and harvest marijuana.
popularity and businesses were booming. But his popularity was taken to another level when Marc and his seed business were featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. This lead to a barrage of media attention some of which Marc could have lived without. Because the very next month Vancouver police raided Hemp BC and charged Marc for selling his seeds and anything else could pin on him like carrying vaporizers in his store he was given a $2200 ďŹ ne. But if you learned anything about Marc from this story you know that wasn’t going to stop him. The next day Marc re-opened his store and began to expand his Hemp BC business. He soon opened a Grow Shop, and a Weed Cafe which was equipped with tables customized with built in vaporizers. This could be considered the beginning of the end for Marc. In the following years he would face a series of raids and criminal
Free Marc Emery
after Marc would begin selling copies of 2 Live Crew's album As Nasty As They Wanna Be, which was deemed obscene. Therefore sales were banned in Ontario. Marc would face a conviction on charges related to these sales for which he was sentenced one year probation. Right after his sentencing he would begin selling Marijuana related books and magazines such as High Times. All of which were also illegal in Canada. Marc tested local police by prompting them to come arrest him at his store where he was selling these books and magazines but they refused to interfere.
Shortly after this break through Marc was motivated by a Dutch store by the name of Sensi Seeds which carried weed seeds. He began to sell seeds in his store and through
his newly founded magazine called Cannabis Culture Canada ( fo r m e r l y k n o w n a s Cannabis Canada Magazine). His 49 DONDIVAMAGAZINECANADA www.DONDIVACANADA.com ISSUE 2
Free Marc Emery
charges. After what could be defined as constant harassment from the police Marc sold his cafe to the store manager who also faced numerous raids and constant harassment in the years to follow. This didn't take the pressure off of Marc, police raided his office in April 1998. This was followed by comments by the mayor of Vancouver at that time, Phillip Owen. Claiming that Hemp BC was "going to be toast" by September . In September Marc's office would again be raided and he was detained but later released without charges. In 1999 court documents from previous investigations showed that undercover American Navy Officers had been in the Cannabis Cafe and had attempted to buy and smoke marijuana there. These documents showed the joint forces of Vancouver Police and the US Naval Criminal Investigative Services.
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This lead Marc to change his policies. Already out of the Cafe business he reassessed his seed business, leading him to dis continue walk in services and dealing only with mail orders. This wasn't enough for the ambitious Marc. In 2000 He decided to start up a TV station POT-TV. The proceeds of his newly established TV channel and his already successful magazine (cannabis culture magazine) and his seed business were mostly used to back almost every 'pro pot' movement in North America. He also paid over $600,000 in taxes to the Canadian government as a seed vendor between 1998 and 2005. All of this came to an end in July 2005 when the RCMP acted on a request from the DEA (United States Drug Enforcement Act) and arrested Marc in Nova Scotia while he was
FREE
distribution with a sentence of 5 years in a US prison. He would be held at the Port Coquitlam prison in BC until his extradition to the US where he would spend time at the D Ray James Correctional institute in Georgia, The Federal Detention Centre in Sea Tac Washington and he Yazoo City Prison in Misssissippi. As of now Marc is still being held in a US prison and is awaiting the approval from the Canadian government to let him be transferred to a Canadian facility. After the Canadian government collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes for the same thing he is jailed for, you would think the least they could is approve his requests to be transferred back here to his home countr y. Considering he is a Canadian who was never formally charged with any drug related offences by Canadian police you think this wouldn't be so hard to get a signature on a piece of piece of paper.
Free Marc Emery
attending HempFest. Him along with two his friends were charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana seeds, and Conspiracy to launder money. Even though all these alleged crimes happened in Canada, The Canadian police never placed any charges. The three could face a minimum of 10 years in prison and the possibility of life in a US prison if they were convicted of the charges brought against them. In 2008 Marc agreed to plea guilty to the charges based on a tentative agreement. The agreement would have Marc serve 5 years split between Canada and US prison. Marc also made suer that as part his agreement to plea guilty the charges against his two friends would be dropped. This deal unfortunately did not go though because then conservative government in power in Canada would not approve this agreement. Finally in September 2009 after reaching another deal with the US where Marc agreed to plea guilty to one charge of drug
All we know is Canada and most of the rest of the whorl loves Marc and we all him free! We also can't wait to see whats next for him because we all know this is not the end for the price of pot, just another chapter of his amazing life.
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