An ode to maple, a song sung blue

 DJ A-Slam recently posted a song he wrote to honour the memory of Maple Batalia (March 4, 1992 - September 28, 2011) and talk about the larger issues surrounding her murder. It’s one of the most important songs he’s written, he says. “I hope the lyrics open up more conversations around toxic masculinity, violence against women, and prevent something like this from happening again. Over the next few months, I’ll be working with the brilliant team at Diaspora Creative/Be True Cineworks to put a music video together to honour Maple’s story, supported by the Vancouver Music Fund. Thank you to Roseleen Batalia for working tirelessly to keep Maple’s story alive and Jasleen Kaur for directing the impactful Maple documentary.”

Watch the song on:

• www.instagram.com/p/B3O cwp5gzWV

• www.youtube.com

• www.facebook.com/watch/?v=524815244965613

Name: A-Slam, coming from Aslam, which means with peace.

Currently: I DJ full time, so a lot of weddings, private events, as well as following my dreams as an artiste and in music production. With my music I try to tell important stories either in the songs or in the visuals. Maple’s story has been on my mind for years so after watching the documentary I was able to put this song together.

Favourite colour: Red.

Favourite outfit: I actually have my own line of “follow your dreams” hoodies. You can see them a lot on my Instagram and they can be picked up on our website: shop.globalpartystarters.com.

Favourite movie: Menace To Society. It’s a must-watch. I grew up really hard in East Van and this movie really spoke to me.

Favourite singers:  Bone Thugs N Harmony.

Favourite song: Explosive - Krazie Bone.

Favourite TV show: Right now I’ve been really into Rotten on Netflix. It’s a series about the food we eat.

Favourite ice-cream flavour: Vanilla.

 Favourite cuisine: I love all the diversity in Indian cuisine.

Favourite restaurant: Jambo on Kingsway, go there for the chai and mogo!

Favourite sport: I played basketball and rugby through highschool and university.

Favourite book: Mad Cowboy was the book that turned me to vegetarianism. Body keeps the score, I quote the most with my friends. It’s mindblowing in the analysis of human nature and trauma.

 Favourite activities: I love just making music. And doing yoga.

 I’m freaked out by: Honestly, climate change, and the lack of movement from corporations and governments.

 I want to be: I was able to turn DJing into a career. My goal is to also be a full time artiste and music producer.

 Tips to save the planet: Yes, I’m a vegetarian and that is a big move for people. But most importantly we have to change the narrative of each person doing their part. Companies are the biggest polluters and they promote the “individual” narrative but that is BS. We need major government regulation to pull back the capitalist model that has led to the destruction of our planet.

In a perfect world: We would work less and be human more.

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