Flavours & Vibes produced by Jones & Jones and sponsored Appleton Estate brings a mix of uplifting sounds to Ottawa’s Rainbow Bistro headlined by Tuff Gong / Universal Music signed, King Cruff with opening act Jessie Simmons all backed by the Vibes Band. DJ Karyen keeps the vibes right all evening pre-show and in between sets.

King Cruff

www.kingcruff.com

A lyrical maestro with an undeniable edgy and an ancient spirit has emerged onto the hip hop scene and is turning heads along the way. King Cruff has set himself apart in the industry by proving himself to be an intriguing storyteller, whose words resonate not only with the hip hop crowd but also to a wider crossover audience due to his vibrant and deep rooted Jamaican flair. He not only garners his inspiration from his life experiences, but from world affairs and for social change. King Cruff weaves together compelling narratives which move the mind, body and soul. He compiles music like a story, vivid, captivating and transformative is how he describes his music.

Solomon Marley-Spence, aka ‘King Cruff’ born in Canada, grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and now lives in his hometown. He has been honing his craft and ushering his vibrant, hip-hop anthems from the recording studio to the global stage. Like a true creative, King Cruff harnesses his own experiences and feelings to create music that is moving. He defines his image in the same way he crafts his music – ever evolving, empowering and transformative. His music videos are meant to capture the essence of how a Cruff becomes the King. As one who relates to anyone from rejects to royals. King Cruff’s music transports his audience and unites everyone under the banner of humanity, free from discrimination and other forms of social engineering.

Since 2019, King Cruff has released several well-received singles and collaborations with other up-and-coming artists. His previously released songs include Imitation Game (2021), Blackberry Groove (2020), Let Me Forget (2020), Say Sumn (2019) and Drop (2019). His undeniable talent led to two nominations for the FCLMA Best Hip-hop Artist Award in 2020 and 2021.

As a hip hop artiste, King Cruff is known for his mesmerizing storytelling, hard-hitting bars and fiercely intelligent lyricism. His self-born style pushes boundaries, creating a fresh genre-defying sound that is distinctly his. King Cruff uses his music to paint vivid pictures of real-life stories, similar to his main influences Kendrick Lamar, Andre 3000, Stephen Marley, Chronixx and of recent, Smino. His lyricism is genuinely creative, combining a blend of precise bars to deliver an effortless flow that glides over slick rhythmic beats.

With his music, he hopes to inspire, empower and enlighten his listeners as he pours his passion in every beat. Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, King Cruff was always surrounded by reggae and dancehall music, both genre profoundly influences his style. Musing from his musical family background and creativity, he started rapping in high school and recalls having rap battles with his friends. Music gave him a way of expressing his ideas and stories in a way no other art form could. King Cruff was always in love with the art of storytelling. As a youngster he often wrote short stories and drew comic books to bring his ideas to life. It was only natural that when he moved back to Canada for University, he started taking strides towards launching an explosive music career. With his producer Smoothe’s support, he started crafting King Cruff’s unique sound from the ground up.

Being in Canada for studies, King Cruff worked a myriad of different jobs. Still, the most enjoyable to him was being an Audio Engineer at Smooth Music Studio. This was the perfect platform for him to get more in tune with his musical craft, helping him to emerge as an performing artist. Being an audio engineer for other artists cultivated his skills in many ways. This work experience sharpened his listening skills, his appreciation for vocal range and taught him how to artfully arrange music.

The ever-talented King Cruff formed his own promotional company called Urban Flavors to connect hip-hop artists to their local audience. He is working on a clothing line and promotional merchandise to streamline along with his burgeoning music career. He has performed at venues in Canada and the US. He sees himself headlining his own sold-out world tours in the near future, bringing electrifying performances to the world stage.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln749CGacHc

Jessie Simmons Bio

www.jessiesimmonsmusic.com

Jessie Simmons is an award-winning recording artist, music mentor, vocal coach, stage manager and vocal producer known for her soulful voice and performances. With numerous singles and debuted album, AMONI released to date, she has captured many hearts around the world.

Born and raised in Ottawa (Ontario Canada), Jessie discovered her love for music at a young age. She began singing by the age of three and had already joined gospel music groups, such as Les Pétales and later on Voices of Third Heaven. In high school, she started writing music and joined the school's musical, "Franco-Fun" and in 2009, she won "Prix de Coup de coeur" at Provincial festival Quand Ça Nous Chante.

Her unique Afro-Caribbean style is a fusion between R&B and her Haitian roots, making her one of the most sought-after Haitian artists in Canada. In 2014, Jessie released her debut single, Fly Away, highly inspired by her Haitian roots. She continued to release singles, including Always on My Mind(2017), Fantasy (2020),Wisdom (2020), Plus jamais seul (2022), For You (2023) and her executively produced debut album AMONI(2023), which also won album of the year at the 6th edition of the KMA Awards in Toronto (Canada).

Jessie has also been greatly involved in the Haitian community and her goal is to showcase the Haitian Culture to a wider audience by making music in French, English and Creole. She has performed with international artists such as Alan Cavé and 5lan and performed as first act for artists such as Harmonik and Kelly Krow. She has performed at many festivals such as Haiti en Fête, Haiti en Folie, Cranium Festival, Afro World Fest and AfroFest. She has collaborations with artists such as J-Ron, Magdala, Dee End and Joe Gez.

She is a rising Star and has won many accolades for her music, including Artist of the Year (2010), Song of the Year with RNBCANADA (2021) and Emerging Artist of the Year with the Ottawa-Haitian Community (2022).

Jessie continues to collaborate with other gifted artists creating music and preparing her next project. With her undeniable talent, her love for music and impressive track record, she is sure to continue making an impact in the music industry for years to come.

DJ Karyen Bio

www.itskaryen.com

Inspired by trailblazing female DJs such as Spinderella and the eclectic sounds of Ottawa's music scene, DJ Karyen commenced her captivating journey. Initially drawn to Hip Hop, her passion for diverse music genres defined her unique career trajectory, branching out from her roots into an array of musical landscapes.

For two thrilling years, she owned the airwaves as a DJ on the 5 O'Clock Traffic Jam on HOT 89.9 FM. Her seamless mix of tracks and talent for setting the perfect vibe made her a favorite among music enthusiasts.

Recognized for her dedication, she earned three nominations for the esteemed Stylus DJ awards and a DJ of the Year nomination at the Recognize Awards, a testament to her commitment to the craft.

Beyond the studio, DJ Karyen's presence graced notable events, from spinning for Nike to delivering captivating performances at revered gatherings like the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Carivibe, Cranium Music Festival, and House of Paint just to name a few.

Her influence extends beyond the turntables; DJ Karyen's features in Metro News and inclusion in the "83 'Til Infinity - 40 years of Hip-Hop in the Ottawa-Gatineau Region” exhibit at the Ontario Art Gallery highlight her impact on the local music scene.

As a JUNO/CARAS Academy Delegate, she actively contributes to shaping the music industry's future. Currently navigating roles as an artist manager and exploring event promotion, she aims to elevate her craft on the global stage. Her ambition and talent drive her mission to share her music worldwide.

Get ready for DJ Karyen's global journey, where her infectious beats and musical finesse know no limits.

Advance tickets: $20 plus HST/ $25 at the door.