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M&C| WEDNESDAY | 12.10.2014| MACEANDCROWN.COM
Grab your popcorn:
Eric Barnett Staff Writer Michael Keaton, known mostly for his role as the legendary superhero Batman, resurrected his career as a new type of superhero in the dark comedy, “Birdman.” Keaton stars as Riggan Thomson, a washed-up actor best known for playing Birdman, a superhero in films, but is adapting Raymond Carver’s short story “What We Talk About When
“Birdman”
We Talk About Love” into a play. Thomson puts all of his money into the production of this play because it’s his last shot at notoriety. If he fails, he will fade into the abyss of forgotten stars. Thomson’s daughter, Sam, played by Emma Stone, is a recovering drug addict that acts as the assistant in the play. Her addiction started due to her father’s inability to be a consistent fatherly figure, solely concentrating on progressing his film career.
While the two of them are mending their feeble relationship, Thomson keeps a close eye on Sam to make sure she doesn’t slip back into her drug addiction. Zach Galifianakis stars as Thomson’s best friend and lawyer, Jake, who helps keep Thomson from exploding from the stresses of producing a play. Lesley, played by Naomi Watts, is the coveted and well-respected actress of the play who brings in Mike Shiner, played by Edward Norton. He
replaced the original male lead, who was injured by a falling stage light. What is truly enjoyable about “Birdman” is the combination of realistic and fantastical elements. Thomson moves and throws objects with the use of his mind, but the question is does he really have superpowers or is he just imagining it all? The audience watches as Thomson’s current mental health deteriorates. He played the role of Birdman perfectly, but because he has no other
film offers, this play is all he has. Keaton’s performance in “Birdman” was comedic yet serious, at times. A man who had everything, now has nothing and is starting at the bottom again. His world is crumbling around him and the only way for him to survive is to unleash his inner Birdman and show the world who he truly is.
Q&A with Jahkoy, Toronto’s next rising star Abdirahman Mohamed Staff Writer Looking to pave his own way, R&B talent, Jahkoy, has plans to touch many people’s lives with his “feelgood” music, and hopes for his sound to be recognized globally. Jahkoy, 20, was born and raised in Toronto and has just starting to come into his own musically. The independent singer released his third project at the end of 2013, called “Dying to Live Forever,” and is currently working on his fourth project, “Forward Thinking,” which is scheduled to release mid-December. He has been releasing tracks off the highly anticipated projected for six months, including “Downtown2,” “Trading Places” and “Poison” - which is currently available on iTunes. Jahkoy said he was “eager to start something new and different” after releasing his last project and has been on that mission ever since. Q: Talk about your project “Dying To Live Forever” that you released late last year. How did that come
about and what influenced you to make the project? What happened prior to that point? A: My first two projects were the inspirations to lead up to that third project. My first project was called “Peer Pressure,” and my second project was called “Never Enough.” When I came around to that third project, I knew there was something I wanted to differently. Q: On your SoundCloud over the last several months, you’ve been releasing tracks such as “Trading Places,” “Closer,” “Fall In Love,” “Heart Smile” and “Poison.” How did these songs come about? Talk about some of the producers you’re collaborating/ working. A: To be honest, everything that I was doing after “Dying To Live Forever” to me was an experiment. I didn’t know how people were going to react to it only because everyone that knew me knew what I was doing before and it was very different. The whole change was more so a risk…for me. I wasn’t sure if everyone would cater to it right away or under-
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stand what I was trying to do. I wanted to do it anyway, and try something new and get out of my comfort zone to explore the boundaries of music. A lot of the material that I have on SoundCloud right now are basically records from producers that I found on SoundCloud. Q: As we all know Toronto is the recent years has been coming out with big name artists such as Drake, The Weeknd and more recently, the acquisition of Partynextdoor signing with Drake’s label, OVO sound. Have they influenced your music in anyway? A: I wouldn’t say they do influence [me], [but] what they’re doing is really good. My influences from music are Pharrell and Andre 3000, more so than anybody else just because those two artists weren’t afraid to step out of their boundaries. They actually influenced me to do what I’m doing right now. Q: Do you feel any pressure being from Toronto knowing that such artists [like Drake and the Weeknd] are having the success that they’re having?
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A: No pressure at all, no, just because all three of those artists have their own unique sound. When you hear a Drake record, you know its Drake. When you hear a Weeknd record, you know it’s The Weeknd, when you hear a Party record, its Party…I…wanted to do the same thing and…step out, so when I do drop a record people can say, ‘Oh, that’s a Jahkoy record.’ I wanted to have my distinctive sound” Q: What can people expect from Jahkoy in the future overall? Any other upcoming mixtapes, albums, features or shows you want to touch on? A: I would say to expect the unexpected. As of right now, I’m working on production features, not necessarily collaborations, with artists because I’m still finding my sound. I’m only seven months into what I’m doing right now, so who’s to say things may or may not change in the next seven months. I want to keep my options open and just…grow from where I am right now, and then hopefully…have some
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big features in the years to come. Q: What’s something a lot of people may not know about Jahkoy? A: A lot of people don’t know that I’m shy [starts to laugh]. I’m not a very outgoing person, you could say. Q: What motivates you to create the type of music you make? A: Love does. Love inspires me to make the music that I make. The way I look at it is nothing beats love. Nothing does. Everyone wants love, everyone’s going to need it at some point in their life. Q: What can people take away from your music each time they listen? A: The message I would try to tell anyone is to stay positive. In life, you’re going to go through good things and bad things, so at the end of the day you have to get through it. It’s more so to stay positive, be patient and have faith. SoundCloud: https://soundcloud. com/jahkoy Instagram: Jahkoy Twitter: @Jahkoy