Before I even start this feature, I have to say that I am very, very proud of this gentleman that we are featuring as our Classic Man. He has been featured on MyTCN TV when we had our digital television stations, and that was when he had won his first Juno. Now (with his band The Movement of Ahryel) as: a Juno award winning singer, songwriter, producer and social activist, Kirk Diamond continues to spread messages of unity, inclusion and love through his music.

Recipient of the 2020 International Vigor Award and 6 x Juno Award Nominee, Kirk was recognized in 2022 for his achievement in music and culture by the City of Brampton. On Monday, February 28^th, 2022, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, city councilors, city officials and community members gathered at Shields Park in Brampton, Ontario to witness the official renaming of the space to Kirk Diamond Park. He is now the only reggae artist to ever have a park named after him.

 In addition, he was recognized as a distinguished alumni by the Dufferin Peel School Board and received The Impact Award for his rich influence in entertainment. On October 6^th, 2023, Kirk released DREAD, with the lead Single “Reggae Party” that won him the 2023 Juno Award. The second single “Bring It Good” was featured in the Drama film “When Morning Comes.”

The last time that I interviewed Kirk Diamond, his name was just beginning to take hold in the minds of reggae lovers. I was excited to hear about his evolution, and to learn about what else reggae lovers had to look forward to. I thought I would start off with an ice breaker.

“If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?”

“Top of my head, I would say Bob Marley. He is relevant to Jamaicans both on the island, and off the island. His music is the soundtrack to our lives.” 

“Can you remember the first time you heard reggae music? What was the song or artist, and how did it make you feel?”

“The first time I heard reggae music, I was in the UK. There was a song called, “On and On.” I remember vividly my mom and cousin dancing to that song. It brings back a lot of memories. That was the first time I heard music. It struck a chord.”

“Since that moment onwards, my entire life has been music. I didn’t like church, so I would sneak out of church and my cousin, and I would be under a plum tree singing. I was just trying a thing. When I came to Canada, I fought to hold on to my culture and music helped that.”

“A lot of people saw me fooling around, and singing, but a friend of mine, Bob the Builder said that I was the best that he had heard. Also, my cousin would hear me, he was older, and he would say, ‘Your music is going to play it on the radio.’ I pushed back against it, but he saw and heard something that I didn’t see.”

“Tell us about your early experiences performing. Where were your first gigs, and what were the crowds like?”

“My first performance was in Saskatoon. I moved there in 2010 for four years, and before that I had never performed. Someone was keeping a Jamaican themed party, because there were a lot of Jamaicans working there. I was in front of people I didn’t know, so I didn’t really feel nervous.

“Saskatoon was my journey to manhood. Before I went, I was a child playing a man. I was just doing things. When I came back, I was a different person. I was different: spiritually, physically, and musically. I was now a scholar; I was learning more about myself, and my music reflected that when I came back.”

“Jambana 2015 was my first real performance with an audience that recognized me. When they were introducing me, I was on the toilet. I felt everything move. I was so nervous. Part of me told me to tell someone to tell them I was not going to do it. People said it was a great performance, but I didn’t believe that.”

 “Can you describe the challenges you faced as an aspiring reggae artist?”

“Always having to figure out where you fit in. I don’t play an instrument, and I am from the dancehall stable, but the reggae fraternity does not mix with modern day dancehall. When I won my Juno, it was a surprise. I had to maneuver that. I didn’t feel like I was getting the respect that I deserve from the reggae community. How do I maneuver in a space where I don’t think that I was respected?”

“Also, what was my goal? I wanted to inspire people to come up with solutions to life problems. I ended up telling my stories; when I do music, it is because I need to get it out of me. I had to be able to look at it. It is like therapy for me.”

“What do you think is the most important quality for a successful reggae artist? Is it talent, hard work, or something else?”

“Integrity! You can be talented, but you don’t work as hard as another artist. I know people who can out-sing me, and maybe even outperform me, but there are not as many people who can outwork me. I don’t discount my work. I won’t put out my album, if every song can’t be a single.”

“What legacy do you want to leave behind with your music?”

“We were here! All of us were here. Our generation was here at this time. 

Kirk Diamond released his highly anticipated new single, “Deh Yah,” on October 15^th, 2024. Produced by Triple B Productions, this track delves into Kirk’s personal journey as a Jamaican navigating foreign lands, while also highlighting how these new environments embrace Jamaican culture.

“Deh Yah” offers a heartfelt reflection on the intersection of identity and experience, capturing the nuances of adapting to new surroundings while remaining rooted in one’s heritage. The accompanying music video, directed by Shane Ramoutar of Frodillah Media Production Company, features vibrant scenes from both Jamaica and Toronto.

On October 23^rd, 2024, you can also join Kirk Diamond, with his band The Movement of Ahryel, and Ammoye as they light up the Rose Mainstage with their dynamic blend of reggae, soul, and R&B.

“We finally get to put on display what we can do. We now have the entire stage in Rose Theatre, so expect everything that you know and love about Kirk Diamond, and a little extra.”

BY YAHYA KARIM

When buying a car, most people consider a number of factors. One of the more important factors people consider, is the safety of the vehicle. In many cases people have never driven that vehicle, or even a vehicle from that specific brand. Safety has become a major concern, especially with the new era of electric vehicles. So which electric vehicle has proven themselves to be the safest on the road?

First of all, there was a study conducted by the Affinity Lawyers over a multi-year period. During this time, they calculated the number of crashes per every 10 thousand cars sold. This ranking provided a clear look into the crash trends of different EV vehicles.

At the top of this list, was the Ford Mustang Mach-E. This vehicle recorded three crashes per every 10 thousand that were sold. Despite the vehicle’s growing popularity over the past couple of years, it has still kept its crash rates extremely low. Making it a great choice for safety conscious drivers.

In second place is the Subaru XV Crosstrek, which is an extremely popular model, having sold over one million units by 2022. This model had 3.62 crashes per every 10 thousand vehicles sold. With only 40 recorded crashes from 2020 to 2022, the Subaru XV Crosstrek proves that buying a popular vehicle does not mean you have to miss out on safety.

Volkswagen’s ID.4 takes third place, recording an impressive 7.13 crashes per every 10 thousand that were sold. The ID.4 that had 28,031 vehicles sold, only recorded two crashes. This makes it a wonderful option for people looking for a safe and reliable EV.

In fourth place, we have the Nissan Leaf. The car only recorded a crash rate of 8.36. Over 150,000 units of this car have been sold, and in that period, 15 crashes happened. While it may not be the safest EV car on the market, it still maintains a strong reputation for being safe and reliable.

Taking the fifth spot is Porsche’s Taycan. 20,533 units sold, and only two crashes recorded, it has a crash rate of 9.73. The Porsche Taycan proves that luxury EV cars can still be a safe option for you and your family.

Rivian’s R1T, takes sixth spot on this list. With 9,900 units sold and one crash, it has an impressive crash rate of 10.10. The Rivian R1T has proved itself to have a promising safety record now, and in the future.

Other models that made the list include: the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which ranked seventh with a crash rate of 11.27, the Tesla Model X in eighth with a rate of 12.42, the Tesla Model Y in ninth at 12.65, and the Tesla Model 3 in tenth with a crash rate of 15.00. While still popular, these models have higher crash rates compared to the top contenders.

As EV vehicles continue to take over the automobile scene, it is important that you choose a safe and reliable vehicle.

BY KHADIJA KARIM

Have you ever forgotten someone’s name, or where you left your phone and thought, “Why can’t I remember anything?” Forgetting might feel frustrating, but it turns out that forgetting things can actually be good for you. Experts believe forgetting might be an important part of human survival and could even have benefits.

You probably think that remembering everything would be better, right? If you remembered every tiny detail, like what you had for breakfast three weeks ago, or the colour of every car you saw today, you would be overwhelmed. Our brains are constantly receiving information, and if we didn’t forget some of it, we wouldn’t be able to focus on what really matters at that time.

Forgetting helps you clear out information you don’t need, and it helps your brain remember the most useful memories. Think about how hard it would be to focus on important things if your mind was filled with random thoughts. Forgetting helps you stay focused and keeps your mind from getting lost.

So, why would evolution make us forget things? Early humans had to deal with dangerous environments that changed quickly. They needed to remember things that helped them survive, like where to find food, or how to avoid predators. They didn’t need to remember every small detail, like what happened last week. Forgetting information, they didn’t need allowed them to make quick decisions based on what was most important at that moment in time.

For example, if you remember a recent storm, you might make sure to stay inside or find shelter. If you remembered every storm you’d ever seen, it would be harder to make decisions about the present. Forgetting irrelevant details helps you stay on your feet and helps you react faster to new situations. This ability to forget likely helped early humans survive and make better decisions in their everyday lives.

Next time you forget something, don’t be too hard on yourself! Forgetting is a natural part of how our brains work and can actually help you stay focused on the important things. It might seem annoying at times, but it’s helping you make better decisions. Forgetting isn’t just something to be annoyed about, it’s a smart way to survive in a world that’s always changing!