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Wednesday 13 January 2016

Malik & The O.G's To Tour Canada

Welcome to The Revolution!




"Uncovering the Roots of Poetry in Islam" 


Free Event

(Workshop, Seminar & Performance)



Carleton University Muslim Students Association (CUMSA)




23 September at 18:30–20:00 (EDT) University Centre, RM 282

1125 Colonel By Drive, K1S 5B6 Ottawa, Canada.






Canadian follow up tour.

"Back by popular demand" 
March 15th-26th 2015.




New dates soon to be announced 

in Toronto and Ottawa for fall 2016.
Watch this space!


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Selected press articles about Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G’s)


Time Out Toronto - 2016 - Toronto Canada
Lliverpool etc, - 2016 - Liverpool UK
Now Magazine - 2016 - Toronto Canada
Mississauga News - 2016 - Mississauga Canada
Harbourfront Blog  - 2016 - Toronto Canada
The Charlatan Magazine - 2016 - Ottawa Canada
The Guardian - 2011- UK
The Guardian - 2015 - UK
The Independent - 2015 - UK
The Skinny – 2015 - UK 
Liverpool Echo – 2015 - UK
UK Vibe Magazine - 2015 UK
Bido Lito Cover Article - 2015 - UK
UK Vibe Magazine - 2014 - UK 


Selected Radio about Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G’s)


BBC World Service - 2011- UK 
BBC Radio 4 - 2011- UK
TLJE Radio - 2014 - Atlanta USA 
BBC Radio Merseyside -  2011- UK
Radio City 96.7  2011- UK
BBC Radio Leicester  2011- UK
Wirral Radio  2015- UK
Tenacity Radio - 2015 - Atlanta USA
Radio CKCU 93.1 - The Guest List - 2016 - Ottawa Canada
Radio CKCU 93.1 - The Home Invasion Show- 2016 - Ottawa Canada




Selected TV about Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G’s)


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Yesternight Productions 

Presents...


Malik & The O.G's Ft. Rita Carter
Live in Ottawa


"The Revolution Will Be Live!"(Canadian Tour 2016.)




Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - 6:00pm - Free Admission.

Ottawa YCL &
 The Graduate Student Association  @  Carleton University Present...



"The Poet As An Activist"

Workshop with Malik Al Nasir




Followed by:

Film Screening - "Word-Up" Ft. Gil Scott-Heron & The Last Poets.
Word-Up Film Screening - event details





1125 Colonel By Drive (600 University Centre)
Ottawa

(613) 520-6616

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Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 10:00am - 12:00pm - Free Admission & Lunch.

TD Centre of learning - Artist Speaker Series - & Radio Regent 
Presents...

Poetry In The Park 
with
Malik Al Nasir
Hosted by Mahlikah Alweri (RedSlam)


- Free film screening - Word-Up Ft Gil Scott-Heron & The Last Poets

- live poetry & Q & A with Malik Al Nasir


540 Dundas Street East (at Sackville Street)
Toronto, ON  M5A 2B3
Phone: (647) 349-2244


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Friday, March 25, 2016 - 5:30pm - Free




Presents: Guest Speaker Malik Al Nasir
For a screening of the film: "Word-Up From Ghetto To Mecca"
Foillowed by a seminar on...








Carleton University: 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6





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Saturday, March 26, 2016 - 6:30pm


Or.I.Gin Studio - 57 Lyndale Ave. Ottawa, ON. Canada.




Featuring Malik Al Nasir


A film screening of "Word-Up Ft. Gil Scott-Heron, 

The Last Poets & Benjamin Zephaniah.


 Q & A following the film.


A masterclass on the art behind the spoken word


The Grand Finale...



A Live Performance by:


Malik & The O.G's

Ft. Ottawa's own "Rita Carter"



Tickets are $20 in advance 


$25 at the door.


$30 for VIP 

Get your early bird tickets until March 13 and pay only $15.



***************************

Email money transfer to

Or
TEXT 613-986-5526 
For local pick-up

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London date just announced:




Convergence Festival 2016.


The Roundhouse. 

London UK.



13th March 2016.



3-6pm. (Sold Out)




"Pieces of a Man - The Gil Scott-Heron Project"

 


Curated by Malik Al Nasir.


On Sunday 13th March Convergence presents Pieces of a Man: The Gil Scott-Heron Project at the Roundhouse, a celebration of the late poet and activists legacy with poetry, performance, and panel discussions featuring Gil’s personal friends and family, artists and academics influenced by his work. 

The day will provide a unique opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from key figures such as Gil’s protege - Mailk Al Nasir and Gil's daughter, artist and activist Che' Scott-Heron. 

Other panelists include musicians Cleveland Watkiss and Orphy Robinson and academics such as Dr. Deirdre Osbourne, (Reader in English Literature and Drama, Goldsmiths University), poets Salena Godden, Zena Edwards and HKB Finn, with a sound clash performed by young poets from the BBC / Roundhouse "First Words" initiative, in association with Arts Council England.


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Malik & the O.G’s Biography




At The Revolution Will Be Live 
with Talib Kweli 

and two of Gil's kids Rumal Rackley & Che Scott-Heron Newton
Photo: Carl Hyde

That rare individual, a poet, activist and songwriter, Malik Al Nasir is a self-invented radical hero. Abdul Malik Al Nasir (Formally Mark T. Watson) is a British poet and filmmaker of mixed Guyanese and Welsh descent who was born in Liverpool, UK in 1966.

A chance meeting in 1984 with the famous poet and civil rights activist the late Gil Scott-Heron changed his life forever. Gil took pity on Malik and took him on tour with the band and became his mentor and father figure right up until Gil died in 2011.

In his first release, the unique two-for-one collection "Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol’s 1 & 2, Al Nasir presents two aspects of his creativity, on a collection of his challenging songs set to music and his own spoken word set, with rhythms from the whole black diaspora. 

On Volume 1, Al Nasir's group, the reggae-inflected, pan-African O.G’s, appear with guest artists including rapper LL Cool J, who bigs-up Al Nasir's roots quest on the intro, the legendary Gil Scott-Heron, who appears on "Black & Blue," Ras Tesfa, as well as O.G’s friends, like singers J.D Smoothe, Chamaine Radcliffe, VeslemØy Holseter and Marie Labropoulos, rapper Illyas Napalm and percussionist Marivaldo Dos Santos. 

Veteran bass player Stanley Clarke introduces Vol. 2 which features the “Grandfather of Rap” Jalal Nuriddin and Kenyatte Abdur-Rahman of The Last Poets. A staple of both albums, master percussionist Larry McDonald appears on almost all recordings by Al Nasir. On Vol. 1 (The Songs) he’s joined by drummer Rod Youngs of Gil Scott-Herons’ Amnesia Express and on Vol. 2, (The Poems), McDonald joins drummer Swiss Chris, the former musical director of Grammy winner John Legend. 

Al Nasir talks of this music and verse as being "My way of reconciling feelings within myself - the pain and intensity that comes from inheriting generations of warped racist and colonial policies. I call it a quiet revolution," he explains,“ I want to bring change without bringing harm to people; to raise consciousness and provoke thought in a constructive, not a destructive manner."


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Malik & The O.G’s debut album 



Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol’s 1 & 2 Ft. Gil Scott-Heron & The Last Poets’ 


Available on iTunes:  




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For Malik & The O.G's bookings





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Black History Month Tour Feb 2016.

"Thank you to all of you who came out and supported us on this fantastic tour."


Malik Al Nasir along with mentor and Last Poets founding member, 
Jalal Mansur Nuriddin, to visit Toronto, Mississauga & Ottawa, Feb' 2016.


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Canadian Black History Month Tour Schedule (Feb) 2016:

Toronto dates: 



York University (OPIRG). - FREE



Word-Up (FILM SCREENING) + Spoken Word Performance by 

Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G's) & Jalal Nuriddin (The Last Poets) 
+ Q & A. 

Thursday Feb 4th, 2016 - 6PM-8PM








 

York University Curtis Lecture Hall "C"
4700 Keele Street West. 

Facebook Link:  The Revolution Will Be Live



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Saturday Feb 6th - 3PM - COSMOS RECORDS - In store appearance - FREE  

by Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G's) & Jalal Nuriddin (The Last Poets). 
At: 607A Queen Street West Toronto On. Canada.

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Saturday Feb 6th - 6:30PM - FREE
Hustlers Convention Film Screening + Q & A 

with Associate Producer - Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G's
& Jalal Nuriddin (The Last Poets).





Harbourfront Centre  - 235 Queens Quay West, 
Studio Theatre, Toronto On. Canada. 
https://www.facebook.com/events/200974863585654/






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Saturday Feb 6th - 9PM - 
Harbourfront Centre (Brigantine Room) 

DISPATCHES FROM TOMORROW - Spoken Word Performance by Jalal Nuriddin 

(The Last Poets) & Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G's) + Q & A. with support from... JustJamaal (The Poet) + Northern Griots Network.







Harbourfront Centre - 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON. Canada.













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Ottawa dates:

Monday Feb. 8th - 7-10PM
The Revolution Will Be Live!:  


A spoken word legacy show at: Or.I.Gin Studio 







Or.I.Gin Studio 

57 Lyndale Ave. Ottawa, ON. Canada.


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Tuesday Feb 9th - 6pm

Hustlers Convention & Word-Up (FILM SCREENINGS) +

Spoken Word Performance by
Jalal Nuriddin (The Last Poets) 
Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G's) 
+ Live Q & A. 

At: Carleton University (Migration & Diaspora Studies).






Minto Centre (Room 5050), Ottawa, ON. Canada.



Malik & The O.G ’ s new album link – worldwide

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Malik & The O.G's Contact:

Facebook Malik & The O.G's
Twitter - Malik & The O.G's
Instagram - Malik & The O.G's
Malik Al Nasir - Wiki 

Malik & The O.G’s Reviews…

Raoul Juneja – NOW Magazine “Through his writing, music and live performances, Malik Al Nasir is continuing the legacy of his late mentor Gil Scott-Heron”

Glyn Akroyd – Bido Lito Magazine (Front cover article)  
“Malik delivers a beautifully lyrical performance, another verse in the extraordinary life of an ordinary guy!”

Paul Lester, The Guardian “In 1984, a chance encounter between Scott-Heron and Al Nasir, then a self-described “illiterate street kid” in Liverpool, led to him taking the 18-year-old under his wing. Today, Al Nasir boasts a master’s degree.”

Michael Edwards – UK Vibe Magazine “St George’s Hall, Liverpool provided an opportunity for Malik to put on a fabulous tribute concert in honour of the great wordsmith, who guided him throughout his formative and adult years.”

Paul Bradshaw - Beyond Chaser "Mentored by both Jalal and the late great Gil Scott-Heron, Malik brought his own poetic life experience to the event and his no nonsense delivery came wrapped in the warm, versatile vocals of Cleveland Watkiss and Chantelle Nandi."

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24 comments:

  1. Huge thank you to all concerned who made this tour possible and who welcomed myself and Jalal into their worlds. Peace Y'all!
    Malik Al Nasir (Malik & The O.G's)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Made it to Ottawa's 'The Revolution Will be Live' - I've been gushing about this **mind blowing** historical evening all week long to anyone who'll listen - and everyone I speak to want you to come back!! LOVE Or.i.gin, but we may need to get you a much bigger venue next time and pack the house with hundreds - Ottawa loves you man, and those few of us who got to experience Monday were truly blessed. Peace and love and thanks, and hope to see you again soon...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. πŸ’― definitely need a bigger space!! Love to you!!!

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    2. Thanks so much Dana, that's humbling. The vibes in that space were magical and the audience were so in it with us that we were all one.

      By the time I got to the stage it was already on fire from Appolo The Child, Just Jamaal, John Akpata, Rita Carter Jacqui Du Toit, PrufRock, Kamal Hakim, Wise Atangana, Salah Adam, and more...

      All we did was maintain the vibe that these guys established. The gig was truly smokin'

      Delete
  3. The most inspirational show I've seen in years. We loved Malik and Jalal. They brought us to another level with the art and conversation they shared. It was a true blessing. They left our city with an even deeper bond than ever before. They spread so much love and positivity. I am still high from Monday at Origin Studios ... THE REVOLUTION IS DEINIFITELY LIVE!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita you mashed up the set before we got there in a fine stylee. It was an honour and a privilege to share a stage with someone of your talent and artistic pedigree. I can't wait to get back. Thank you for everything.

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  4. I have no words to describe -#Therevolutionwillbelive, I don't think there are any words decent enough to really do it justice but... If I had to choose one word it would be phenomenal !! Malik&The O.G's brought a crowd together in ways that I have never seen before. I am so happy that I got to be apart of this. I will be talking about the revolution for many years to come.It's been days since the performance and I keep singing "Free at last we should be free at last" I can hear the beautiful drums playing in he background. Ottawa misses you guys please come back soon !!!

    Julia H

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's deep thanks. The thing is, I wrote that song "Immigrants free at last" recently and only added it to my album at the last minute before releasing it last Aug.

      I have never performed the song live before and it wasn't in my set list. But after gauging the strength of feeling about global anti-immigration rhetoric, I decided on the spare of the moment to do the song. I had no idea how it would work live but it clearly did?

      I have to thank Jamaal, John Akpata and the musicians for that. They had no warning and it was totally improvised. The crowd participation was great. It was truly a blessing. Thank you all.

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  5. Peace Malik - I was at Or.i.gin Studios in Ottawa. I travelled from Toronto ( My or.i.ginal home) to Ottawa ( my second city home) to support Jammal in his quest to share the truth through entertainment. If I was aware about the events in Toronro a Mississauga (aka Sauga - my suburb of schooling) I would have painted at every event beside you both. Let's do it again. My extended fammilia in Bogota Columbia would love to get you out there and we can chat offline about that too.

    Overall the show was "Phoenix Fire" I fell honoured and blessed to be with you all. I feel this ain't the end. You never know, maybe I home to Liverpool and see in from your home.

    Bless.

    Oms

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oms, what you did at the show was truly incredible man. I have to say at the start I wondered if you could finish the painting by the time the show ended, especially with all the activity on stage?

      But Man you did it and it was dope. If I'd known about you before, I would have loved to have you paint with us man.

      I went to Columbia in 1989 and wrote a poem about it called "Cartogena" which is in my book Ordinary Guy and also on my album Rhytims of the diaspora Vol. 2.

      My father is from Guyana, so we're ancestral neighbours. I always wanted to go to Bogota and would be totally up for it. I'll inbox you my details. Let's have that conversation.

      So glad you liked the show man, it means a lot to be appreciated for your art, especially by your peers and fellow artists. Canada blew me away man totally. I'm psyched about coming back.
      Peace!

      Delete
  6. Malik Al Nasir...I saw you and Jalal perform at studio Or-i-gin in Ottawa. .and needless to say that it was a memorable Monday night!

    The vibe was on point and your words made us all travel spiritually! Big ups and come back soon!

    NewNomad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Salam alaikum Ahmad.
      Thanks for your kind words man. The whole event was very spiritual, especially when Jamaal called for silence in respect of the indigenous people who's land we were on and who have been denied their natural land rights.

      But the whole way Jamaal curated the line up, was what made it truly spiritual. Everyone put their hearts out there with their revolutionary poetry and songs and it just worked so well. I would have been happy to leave before I went on stage because we'd already had a momentous show at that point. It was dope.

      Can't wait to come back.
      Peace

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  7. amazing performance….from everyone….an inspiration to see Malik and Jalal in toronto….super hope they will be invited back soon !!!!! shelagh keeley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Shelagh a rerun tour is at the top of my list for sure.
      Peace!

      Delete
  8. I had a chance to work closely with Malik in preparation of the tour. From the minute I met Malik, I knew we had to bring him to Toronto one day, but I didn't anticipate the opportunity coming when it did. Once plans were in place, I knew we had all the ingredients needed just with the sheer artistic talent and accomplishments of both Jalal and Malik to produce an unforgettable event. I have been on a high since the tour, especially at the widespread enjoyment of Malik and Jalal's shows here in Toronto, and in Mississauga at the school. Malik is a natural with elementary school students, showing sincere interest in what THEY had to say, and mentoring even with a simple walk down a hallway. Educators, a school assembly is a powerful venue for Malik to share, however, students become so engaged that they would probably love classroom visits so they can ask questions and absorb Malik's story - a story which had teachers and students alike, talking for days. The students also loved Jalal leading their participation in a performance of "Word to the Wise." What a package! The Mississauga News published a great story about it: http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/6268505-rap-pioneer-helps-launch-black-history-month-at-peel-school/#.VrzalwDxtmg.facebook

    At the OPIRG-York event, Malik's vast knowledge of international politics flowed like water and it was a delight to see the many hats he wears, as survivor, artist, media specialist, and political analyst! No rhetoric was shed and instead clarity and effectiveness in exposing geopolitical affairs had everybody listening with wide eyes and eagerness.

    The performance at Harbourfront was pure magic. People moved to every beat and hung to every word from Malik who vibed with the band with such smoothness, it seemed they had worked together many times. Jalal's set was full of spoken gems and between the two, the audience was lit with the surreal events on stage. We were truly blessed to witness the artists. It was such a pleasure to see the artists get even more love from the audience than I could have imagined.

    I did not make it to Ottawa, but all the artifacts of videos, pics, comments on social media show that it was a deep and strong interweaving of spirits at Origin studios! And I'm overly thrilled that Carleton University not only showcased and made possible the visit to Ottawa, but expressed interest in more visits!

    Thank you Malik for your hard work and for bringing us your wonderful poetry, presence and for also bringing us Jalal. I feel like a new seed of interest is planted in the legacy of the Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron and you were the ideal ambassador to do the job. Much respect and appreciation!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you sister Sumita. I don't really know what to say? None of this would have been possible without your vision and dedication all credit to you, for having the foresight to put this together so selflessly and for sacrificing the most precious thing that you have - your time - to realise this tour. On behalf of all the beneficiaries; including myself and Jalal, a massive THANK YOU!

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  10. Words cannot express how grateful we were to have Malik back in Ottawa !!!. The performance was spectacular in every form I meant to write this review days ago but I wanted to take in his Album first . As I listened to the album today it took me right back to the performance at origin studios. I was also lucky enough to purchase his book titled Ordinary Guy might I add they were hot sellers that night. Canada is officially Malik's second home and we will welcome him back with open arms any day. I've learnt so much history from these past two shows and truly thank Malik for that ..... It's time to come back Malik we miss you already .

    Peace

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    Replies
    1. Malik! I can't quite put into words how wonderful of an experience it was having you in Ottawa and helping you build the show. You showed great hospitality even as guest to those around you. I'm excited for you to come back, and look forward to picking your brain a little more this time around because even after your seminar and the conversations we've had, I feel as though I just scratched the surface! I'm also curious to know if your documentary is available to the public?
      Thank you once again. One Love Brother Malik! - Robbie Rigg

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    2. What an honour, thank you Julia. I never imagined that after such a dope sell out show at Origin "The RevolutionWill Be Live" with Jalal Nuriddin, Apollo The Child, Rita Carter, Just Jamaal, Hyfadelic, Wise Antonaga and all tbe others, that I'd be able to return 3 weeks later and sell the venue out again on my own. There was so much love there in Ottawa that I can't wait to get back. Thank you for coming out to all my shows, buying all my merchandise and blessing me with your presence at my birthday Jam at the house. So much positivity and support; I struggle to find word to thank you with so just "Thank You!" See you in the fall when I return. Peace!

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    3. Robbie the pleasure was mine bro. You brought fire to the stage with that guitar and lifted the whole set. Such a great guitarist and a positive spirit, can't wait to get back to Canada and work with you again.

      The film "Word Up" is still doing private screenings and is not yet available to the public. Hustlers convention is now available on DVD and in the states on PPV via Starz network.

      I'll be doing some seminars in Ottawa and Toronto as well as the shows, so feel free to come along and I'm happy to share whatever knowledge I've been blessed with and also happy to learn from you guys too. Peace man!

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. πŸ‘ŠπŸΎπŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦♥️✌🏿️🎀

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  12. It honestly was a complete honour and pleasure working with you in Toronto earlier this year!! Having witnessed your hard work ethic and your creative process is truly an inspiring experience that I will cherish forever!!! Super excited to have you back in Toronto and Ottawa this fall!!! Looking forward to it all!!!

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    1. Thank's so much Stacy, having you in the band added not only talent but a good measure of humour and professionalism that made all the difference on the night.

      Thank you for giving so much of your time, at such short notice and bringing such good vibes and African flavour to the set. I'm blessed to have worked with you and to know you and I'm so looking forward to working with you again this fall. Peace sister ✌🏿️

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