By: @TikaSimone. Main photo by: Ishmil Waterman.
I don’t even know where or how to begin. In July of 2010, I began on a little journey that I would’ve never fathomed would’ve brought me here. Before I even start, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tika Simone. I am kind of a Jill of all Trades in this city. To say that I wear many hats is an understatement. I act, I am a musician, and I run the city’s first Urban Audition-only open mic night in the city.
Photo by Jah Grey
I initially started this project because I noticed that for a city like Toronto that has amazing visibility in talent, there was a noticeable lack of local shows/platforms. I decided to take charge. I found a small venue and decided to have weekly shows. Each show had a headliner. A fabulous Headliner FROM Toronto with local fans, local pull & incredible talent. We had headliners from Erik Flowchild to Andreena Mill to Kim Davis to The Airplane Boys to Natasha Waterman to The OBGM’s to Tre Mission to Tanika Charles to Masia One. The list goes on and on and on. Each show had openers. Openers that HAD to audition due to the fact that they were opening FOR the headliner. Fastforward to 2012. 53 shows later. YES. 53 shows. Over 300 auditions. Countless audiences. Beautiful headliners. Amazing opening acts. Moments. Memories. Growth. Youth. Smiles. Thank-you’s. Love. TALENT. And most importantly SUPPORT. I am elated to announce that The Known UNKnown has partnered with Harbourfront Centre and this will officially be our new home.
Photo by Ishmil Waterman
This is EXACTLY what I had wanted, strived for, aimed to attain. I wanted ALL my lovely artists to be seen on a large prestigious platform like this one. I wanted something larger than life. I could cry to be honest.
Tika Simone & Wolf J McFarlane
Now, to move on to what’s new + amazing!!!!
On February 4th 2012, the 1st Known UNKnown premieres!!!! Not only is the show completely ALL AGES but it’s FREEEEEEE!!!
There is absolutely NO excuse not to show up and show your support.
The Headliners of the evening will be:
The Beautiful & talented ROCHELLE JORDAN & The incredible talented beautiful vocalist SHI WISDOM.
Rochelle Jordan is a singer that I have known for a number of years. She started out in this industry as a background singer and I’m elated to know that she found her voice. She found an amazing producer [KLASH] who definitely produces records that bring out the best of her vocals. And her songwriting is bomb. I encourage EVERYONE to download her mixtape ROJO on her website http://www.rojoproto.com. She is NEXT!
Shi Wisdom is also another singer that I have known and seen for a number of years around the live circuit in Toronto. Her current single “Love Speak” produced by BurdxKeyz http://www.burdandkeyz.com [RIP Keyz] is BLOWING up all over the radio airwaves. I’m so proud of her. There’s nothing left to say about this beautiful soul other than she is sweeter than honey and she can sing the Bible & the telephone book all at the same time. One to definitely pay extremely close attention to. You can find out more about Shi by checking out her website at http://www.shiwisdommusic.com
The opening acts are:
Now, 88 Days are a platform as well. Incredible initiative. They are a Toronto based, grass roots, queer, trans and straight identifified, music and multi media collective. As a community driven, youth-led organization, their mission is to support collective members to develop their creative and artistic practices. They currently have 21 collective members. However we’re only featuring 3 of the 21 incredible artists.
These are some of the HOTTEST artists in the city in my opinion and I firmly encourage EVERYONE to check out the 88 Days website and follow the movement. They are doing nothing but amazing positive things for our community! I can’t wait to see all 3 acts do their thing on stage! It’s going to be explosive. http://www.88days.ca We’re also featuring a singer by the name of Savannah Re who has a beautiful spirit and is an extremely talented songwriter. You can check out her Youtube page (SavannahReMusic) and check out her Relation-tape coming out in the Summer!
And we’re also featuring a rapper named J.R. Richy. Such an electric & young performer on stage. One of the most interesting intellectuals I have ever met. He is definitely one to look out for.
Last but not least, I couldn’t have this show without featuring the 4 ladies EVERYONE is talking about. The Jane + Finch Female Cypher will be doing a set live. So, look out for them too!
I’m so proud of us, Toronto. I’m so proud to be hosting this event with these talented artists. You will NOT be disappointed. I want to take out the time to thank DJ Lissa Monet & Ishmil Waterman for always believing in me. You were both there from day 1. Toronto, look at the support. Look at the love. Look at what YOU did!!!! Don’t miss it. It’s going to be extraordinary. And it already feels awesome.
xoxo,
Tika Simone 
THE KNOWN (UN)KNOWN [HARBOURFRONT EDITION]
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH
WITH HEADLINERS:
ROCHELLE JORDAN X SHI WISDOM
ALSO FEATURING OPENING ACTS:
88 DAYS OF FORTUNE:
+ KJ
+ SPEK WON
+ ABSTRACT RANDOM
ALSO FEATURING:
SAVANNAH RE
J.R. RICHY
+ A VERY SPECIAL SUPRISE PERFORMANCE BY THE JANE + FINCH FEMALE CYPHER
HOSTED BY: TIKA SIMONE
DJ ONONYMOUS
SHOW STARTS AT 9:30PM SHARP
ENDS AT 1:00AM
ALL AGES
***THIS IS A FREE EVENT***
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE –> http://www.facebook.com/events/204483622979886/
FOLLOW KNOWN UNKNOWN ON TWITTER –> http://www.twitter.com/knownunknowninc
FOLLOW Tika Simone ON TWITTER –> http://www.twitter.com/tikasimone
