The Amplify Project Vol. 2: BIPOC Artist Showcase

Join us for The Amplify Project Vol. 2, the second installment the new Vancouver based concert series spotlighting BIPOC/BIPOC fronted artists and bands! JIG SPACE, just a short walk from Marine Drive Canada Line Station, will host an electrifying night of rap, rock, pop, jazz and more! Vol. 2 will feature an amazing lineup of local artists, including Somethin' Like That (Hip Hop/Concious), Witiko (Rock), Emcee K Ski (Hip Hop/Concious), Tamami Maitland (Jazz R&B Fusion), Lia Lexa (Indie/Pop), and poetry from Marlo Browne. Don't miss out on the Amplify Project Vol. 2, get your tickets now to support your local music scene with a great night of good drinks, good friends, and good tunes!

Somethin' Like That

Somethin’ Like That is originally from Hamilton, Ontario where he lived the first 19 years of his life and began learning the art of freestyle cyphering. He has been writing lyrics and executive producing his conceptual mixtape projects since the early 2000’s. In 2009 he relocated to Vancouver, BC. His unorthodox approach to hip-hop exposes a Jekyll and Hyde type experiment that the crowd can’t help but love. With east coast flavor and west coast warmth, S.L.T’s tracks illustrate the complexity of Ab-soul’s writing style with substance similar to Common and Smoke DZA.

Featuring a catalogue of conscious raps and party tracks he provides somethin’ for any playlist. Most joints being fired up for S.L.T.’s heart-felt scribes feature lo-fi experimental sounds with groovy basslines and cruisy rhythms reminiscent of classic boom bap and new age industrial bangers. These subgenres of beat production are extremely well suited to his pitch which depicts a vocal tone said to be similar to Bun B’s. Major influencers of his flow are renowned artists Common and Choclair.

S.L.T. manages concepts for his mixtapes and original works and in many cases creates the artwork and video treatments for tracks while performing and writing his vocals. His live show has been described as having heavy performance energy and a noticeably upbeat attitude. Complete with extremely creative, self-made and captivating visual components, Somethin’ Like That is a clear asset to any event bill.

Witiko

Hailing from the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples in so-called Vancouver, BC, Witiko explores a variety of rock influenced sounds, typically steeped in a healthy amount of fuzz. Originally forming in March of 2019, the band is currently comprised of Josh McKenna, Lucas Grabi, Luke Bidulka, and Walter Sawan, McKenna naming the band after the Cree legend prominent in his own Métis community. The band has honed in an expansive sound that seamlessly transports listeners from the warmth of surf to the abrasiveness of grunge across the course of a setlist, tackling themes from existentialism to Indigenous sociopolitical action.

Emcee K Ski

We all have a story to tell. Emcee K Ski, also known as the Black Wali, uses the art of rhymes to document this journey and the universal struggle when striving to become better versions of ourselves. This gifted lyricist and storyteller creates songs that expose lies we’re told as well as the lies we tell ourselves. But K Ski is a true optimist, so his art always shows a perspective where the challenges we face in life are seen as necessary to become what we strive to be. Better version of ourselves.

After taking a hiatus from recording and releasing music the veteran emcee re-emerged in 2021 releasing 4 EP’s and 8 singles over a 3 year period. K Ski has also been busy the past couple of years performing around Vancouver impressing people with his stage presence and socially conscious rhymes. His projects as part of the group Beats, Blues and Bars with musician Maxi Theophile has become increasingly popular. This unique fusion of Hip Hop with Blues, Funk and Soul shows his range as an artist. But when it comes to that boom bap element of Hip Hop, Emcee K Ski is equally as impressive. Take a listen for yourself to see why there’s a growing appreciation for the skill set of this veteran emcee.

Tamami Maitland

Tamami Maitland, a Vancouver-based singer-songwriter, captivates audiences with her groovy melodies, drawing from her Japanese heritage. Her music, a fusion of jazz and R&B, resonates with themes of nature and love reminiscent of traditional Japanese poetry. Following her successful debut international tour in Japan in 2023, Tamami continues to inspire positivity through her uplifting performances. Featured in "Burnaby Now" and with a growing discography, she secured a spot on Canadian YesTV's "Path to Creation" series. Recognized by Midnights Records NY, Tamami is dedicated to her journey, striving for growth in the music industry.

Lia Lexa

Lia Lexa is a singer songwriter whose songs are largely based on stories about love, friendship, and loss. She has lots of feelings and is not afraid to express them through music and visual lyrics. Lia is also part of the Vancouver-based girl group, ember*night, and has produced a number of tracks for the group. While the songs she writes for the group are more upbeat pop songs, her solo music has a more folk pop sound, as well as some R&B.

Marlo Browne

Marlo Browne is a Barbadian poet and author who has self-published four books. All books are available on amazon and the UEL marketplace on Granville Island in British Columbia. His first book, entitled Pictorial: Writing for Stars that want to return to Constellations was published in 2019 and received 5 star reviews on Amazon. His second, entitled Marlo Browne presents: The Young and Gifted, published in 2021, also received 5 star reviews. His third, entitled Thoughts of a Mature Mind was published and released in 2022. His fourth and latest book, entitled The Life and Times of a Poet was published and released on August 28th 2023 and has also received a 5 star review on Amazon. Marlo is a very versatile poet who has been featured many times online. His work spans several topics such as social injustice, mental well-being love, race, health disorders and many more. Marlo has also performed at several open mics and events in Langley, Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Surrey, White Rock, North and East Vancouver. He is also the ambassador for Pacific Arts Market and he is the MC and host of Poetry Night and Comedy Night at Pacific Arts Market. Marlo has also participated twice in author showcases at the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library and he also did a reading at the Strathcona branch. His business, A Pint of Knowledge, was also nominated in the best solopreneur category at the Black Excellence Awards in 2023. As a film maker, he is the co-author of the short film 'I'm Sorry' which placed second in the short film category at the Langley City Film Festival. He is also a member of several literary associations such as the Delta Literary Arts Society and the Federation of BC Writers.

Online Tickets: $15

At Door: $20

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

JIG SPACE, Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada