Music
Press
Best Hip Hop Act
1. Farm Team
2. Paco and Pesh
3. Offsides
4. Eye 2 Eye
5. M.O. of FAMN
6. Northern Lights
7. Euphrates
8. ICM
9. Butta Babees
10. Shades of Culture
Looks like ICM have a good hold on bragging rights, with no less than half of the top 10 affiliated with their extended family (Eye 2 Eye, Offsides, Paco and Pesh, and Euphrates are all relatives). Shades of Culture still managed to make the list despite the absence of any new recordings, or live appearances, showing that hip hop love is everlasting. Butta Babees and Northern Lights have some fans out there who clearly want to hear more, and the relatively new Farm Team collective, who may rival ICM for sheer numbers, takes first-place honours in this year's poll.
- The Montreal Mirror
Have you heard of Montreal's Farm Team yet? If not, you will. This team is all about putting out quality Hip Hop, R&B and Dancehall music. The opening track "Flawless" starts off with a stewardess welcoming her passengers (listeners) on board. Incidentally, both "Flawless" and the third track "Cutting You Off" are the albums first two singles; they're receiving regular rotation on K103 radio.
This CD was dropped off at our office a couple of months ago and it literally disappeared. So this review is a bit late, though it's never too late to write about first-class vibrations. The rhythmic steady beats are continuous with little variations. "I Lose" starts with a cryptic intro as do a few other selections. What really grabs me on this CD is the fine vocal harmonies and superior production values. Support local music and check this Farm out. - www.orcasound.com
The Hard Rock Café, Montreal, got a little taste of Hip Hop, R&B, and Dancehall last Friday night as The Farm Team, Montreal's newest urban collective rocked the Hard Rock to a sold out crowd. Wiz Kilo and Kidd along with their backup dancers set the tone for the night with their energetic brand of Pop / R&B although it was strangely familiar, does anyone know if Justin Timberlake is in town? Like most shows this one started late, people including myself started getting a little anxious and the drinks at the Hard Rock do not come cheap. The crowd finally warmed up when The Farm Team took the stage for a nonstop "move your body or get out" set of songs from their debut album and yet untitled sophomore release. Fueled by the energy of the crowd, The Farm Team flowed from song to song, expertly building a tight set. Highlights included Nikole Kaye's sassy performance of "Fascination" with Rani who surprised the crowd with an inspired electric guitar solo. Rani's mellow acoustic version of his single "Wanna Get Away," chilled everyone down but that much needed rest was ended abruptly with an energetic performance by Reason. Natasha Hynes' sweet voice took the crowd back with her old school jam "In My Life" which featured rhymes from the newest member of the team, a female MC by the name of Katana Montana. M.O. A.K.A. Mr. Personality; had the crowd on their feet all night long performing "Grind Mami" with Fatboy and "Money Done" with Kysshus, Farm Team's Dancehall chanter. M.O. capped of the evening with his current single "Flawless," eventually inviting everyone in the building onto the stage. I decided it was better that I just stay where I was.
- L.L. Jackson (orcasound.com)
Discography
- May 2005, The Farm Team Presents:
Escape to Paradise (Oh here we go, I lose)
- July 22nd 2005, The Farm Team Presents:
(Album yet to be titled) ( Fascination, Slip Away)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Montreal singer and songwriter,
Nikole Kaye was born to perform and has already accomplished a lot in her brief career.
In 1999, Nikole founded her own female group, Dreamy. Having a talent for vocal arrangement, Nikole was often responsible for creating the harmonies that made the girls stand apart from the competition. As the lead singer and songwriter, she found every possible opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. After many shows, prestigious local festivals, and talent shows, the girls recorded their very first demo recording. A rendition of the Beatles hit song Stand by me. The version of the song got the attention of Toronto based independent label Groove Music Canada who were most impressed by the amount of skill these fourteen year old girls possessed. A meeting was arranged in Toronto and a buzz started to build around the girls. They performed a showcase for Steve Lilywhite who was the A&R of Mercury Records UK. However, an unfortunate turn of events forced the girls to separate just as they were about to sign their very first recording deal.
For Nikole, this was only the beginning. She started performing for charity events, high school musicals, talent shows and local festivals in order to get as much exposure and experience as possible as a solo artist. In 2002, CEO and founder of Cesoul Records, Cecil Collins hired Nikole as dancehall sensation, Carl Henrys back up singer. She found herself on a two month North American tour along side R&B superstar Ashanti as Carl was opening up for her at the time. This gave me the last boost of confidence I needed to reassure myself that I could pursue music as my career. After the tour, Nikole started searching for a producer to help her compose the music to her songs. The search was a very difficult one as she had trouble finding someone who understood that she didnt want to be another bubble gum pop act.
In 2003, Nikole met Jonathan Simon a.k.a Menoza an immensely talented young producer and songwriter who had recently moved from Florida. At the time he was recruiting local artists to produce and sing his songs. Menoza realized early on that if he was going to accomplish his dream he would have to put together a team of people to help him. He took the artists he was working with including Nikole and had them work together forming the collective called The Farm Team. The Farm Team, an association of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, graphic artists, website designers, ranging from diverse backgrounds and who all have one mission: create commercially viable music. This was the perfect opportunity for Nikole to grow as an artist.
In May 2005, the Farm Team released their debut album Escape to Paradise which was critically acclaimed. They were also voted 2005s number one Hip Hop act by the readers of the Montreal Mirror, an urban magazine distributed all over the province of Quebec.
In July 2005, Nikole along with the Farm Team performed at the Hard Rock Café Montreal and helped the venue make its second highest profit ever. This was the first time a Hip Hop act ever presented a show at the Hard Rock Montreal. They have been invited to perform again in the near future thanks to the undeniable success of that performance.
Nikole continues to create music for her new demo with her producer Menoza and will continue to perform in shows as part of The Farm Team.
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