Transit, whose real name is Daniel Bennett, will be giving a free concert to OSS students and others on Sunday at the Sonora Community Centre. Doors open at noon. (Creative Commons)
Ground-breaking Canadian hip-hop artist Transit will put on a free performance for students of Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) at the Sonora Community Centre this Sunday.
The event was organized by Jamie Elder, owner of Unity Osoyoos, and has the support of the Save Our Schools (SOS) committee and local business sponsors.
Although the event is aimed at students, who have been through a stressful time with plans to close their school, Elder said other members of the community may also attend.
“Our initial focus is the kids, but it’s an open community event free to everybody,” he said. “OSS students of the past of course, and parents and grandparents are welcome.”
Doors open at noon.
Elder said Transit’s style, unlike some hip-hop performers, doesn’t rely on profanity, so many people can enjoy it.
That doesn’t mean Transit’s style is vacuous top-40 music either. In fact, Transit took a challenge in 2011 to produce a top-40-style song in less than eight hours to show how much this popular style relies on formula.
The song went viral on YouTube, and Transit, whose real name is Daniel Bennett, was approached by record producer and Kiss lead singer Gene Simmons to become a top-40 artist.
“This probably puts him in the most respect category as far as the different things he’s done in my books,” said Elder. “He pretty much shook his hand and walked out of the office and said ‘no thank you,’ turning down basically a multimillion dollar career.”
Elder said the show came about because he’s organized shows at several local venues over the years, mainly JoJo’s Café.
“I like to try to work with conscious artists who have very positive lyrics,” said Elder. “They’re talking about important issues.”
He invites them to come by Osoyoos if they are in the area.
Transit is opening a show that evening for U.S. rapper B. Dolan, so Elder decided to take advantage of him being here to ask him to perform.
“He’s someone that works really well with a younger audience and is really good at creating dialogue and just will be a perfect fit for this event,” said Elder. “So I reached out to him, told him what we’ve been going through here in town, with the school closing issue, and he was on board immediately.”
Transit also offered to bring his DJ Jonny Williams.
Elder said Transit’s songs talk about themes like the struggles of life, heartbreak and what motivates you when you get out of bed in the morning.
He describes him as being part of the independent music scene.
Originally from Victoria, Transit moved to Calgary to attend Ambrose University College and he continues to be based there.
He has released six albums and has collaborated with many musicians, including an unlikely collaboration with Juno Award winner Jan Arden on a song about Calgary.
Elder said Mami’s Pizza and Pizza Factory will be providing free pizza for the students and other businesses are also being approached to provide refreshments.
“It’s May 8, which is Mother’s Day by the way, so bring your mom,” said Elder. “Doors will open at noon on May 8 at the Sonora Centre.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Jamie Elder, owner of Unity Osoyoos, shows one of the T-shirts he’s making with the hashtag #OsoyoosStrong. These will be given out this week to students at Osoyoos Secondary School and will be sold in the community for a minimum donation of $20. Money raised will go to support a new independent school in Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)
