Articles written by James Di Fiore

What is Helium

About me - James Di Fiore

I'm a 31 year old writer/emcee from Toronto, an independent journalist specializing in political pieces, usually driven by my own actions.

My most notable piece was an avant garde project where I voted three times in the 2004 Canadian federal election to shine

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Racial understanding: 1 of 11
I wasn't asked at birthWhen mamma squeezed me out of her still slight girthIf I preferred my skin to be dark or light or in the middleNobody asked me to fiddle withMy pigmentSo how am I to explain the actions of my ancestors, even a little bit?I know the history, I just wish it were her storyInstead of the bloodshed washed th... More..
Entertainment > Musicians & Bands The world's best rapper: 5 of 28
While there are countless emcees who have earned the right to be considered as the greatest rapper in the world, there is only one name that literally every member of the hip hop community respects. His name is KRS ONE.KRS ONE is the last pioneer of the Golden Age of hip hop who can still command respect with his skills on th... More..
Creative Writing > Songs Songs: Addiction: 4 of 21
Take a seat, I have to tell you somethingIt's driving me crazyBut please, don't get mad babyIt's something from my pastI didn't think it would lastBut now I can't move on like a boat with a busted mastIt's the reason behind my temper and jealousyI failed to see the symptoms of my own realityI felt it creep up every time you g... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Unforgettable hip-hop music videos: 1 of 5
In an era when the best hip hop tracks had the smallest budgets for their accompanying videos, it can be tough to decide which videos can be considered the best of all time. However, if we measure these videos in the context of being the realest, and NOT perpetuating the hip hop stereotypes, the following list is a can't miss... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes The best hip-hop songs of 2007: 1 of 5
The pickings get slimmer and slimmer as the years go by, and hip hop's cyclical pattern of peaks and valleys remains a constant. In 2007, hip hop began that long climb out the valley and began to produce quality tracks once again. While the commercialization of hip hop remains, the ability to create creative tracks that still... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Assessing the current state of hip hop and rap artistry: 7 of 29
The biggest misconception people have about today's Urban music scene is this - it isn't hip hop. Whenever I read articles that begin from a premise of sounding the alarm on watered down artistry and sexist lyrics, I can't help but wonder why there isn't more of a focus on the actual art-form. Critics seem to be completely un... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Classic hip-hop songs: 1 of 4
Only the purest hip hop heads realize that certain tracks can be considered classics. While there are influential songs by emcees like the Notorious B.I.G., for example, his time came after the classic period had ended. Younger generations of hip hop fans might not realize the importance of the classics that opened the door f... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Alternative music of the 90s: An overview: 5 of 15
The 1980s taught us some very valuable lessons in music. While we now know that playing the keyboard guitar was not really the way to go, the electro pop and melancholy rock tunes did pave the way for the birth of what would become the source of some of the best new music in the 1990s - Alternative Rock.Spearheading this deca... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Assessing hip hop's impact on kids: 2 of 6
Hip hop is a transcending music. The genre has received bad press over the years but has survived and grown on a global scale. While it is tough to blame people for pointing their fingers at hip hop, the genre is not responsible for the stereotypes it often projects - the marketing forces behind the genre hold that responsibi... More..
Sports & Recreation > Hockey 2008 NHL playoff predictions: What's in store for the Montreal Canadiens?: 2 of 6
Fans in Montreal are experiencing Deja Vu this playoff season. They have a rookie goaltender, a balanced team with no top tier superstars and a capacity for winning close games. If you have heard this before than you remember the 1986 edition of Les Habitants - when then rookie net minder Patrick Roy led the Habs to their 23r... More..