Ph.D. Candidate in Media Studies, Western University, London, ON.

Dissertation: “Mapping Diasporic Flows: The Development of Toronto’s Early Rap Music Scene, 1979-89.” Advisor: Dr. Keir Keightley. [Defending Fall 2025]

Peer-reviewed publications:

2019. “Translocality and the Articulation of a Jamaican/Canadian Identity in the Music of Michie Mee.” In The Spaces and Places of Canadian Popular Culture. Edited by Victoria Kannen and Neil Shyminsky. Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press.

2019. (Co-authored with Jesse Stewart) “The Diasporic Routes and Roots of Early Canadian Hip-Hop.” Contemporary Musical Expressions in Canada. Edited by A. Hoefnagels, S. Johnson, and J. Klassen. Kingston, ON: McGill-Queen’s University Press.

2016. Review of Legions of Boom: Filipino American Mobile DJ Crews in the San Francisco Bay Area by Oliver Wang. Perfect Beat Vol 7, No 1.

2014. “‘We Wanted Our Coffee Black’: Public Enemy, Improvisation, and Noise.” Critical Studies in Improvisation. Vol 10, No 1.

Other media:

2021. “Jay W. McGee, a groundbreaking vocalist, songwriter and Juno nominee, always went back to the music of his father.” Toronto Star, May 2.

2021. “Remembering Jay McGee — the artist behind some of Canada’s first rap records.” CBC Radio – q with Tom Power. Mar. 30. (contributor)

2021. “Starting at the Bottom — Recognising Jay W. McGee and his role as a Canadian Hip-hop pioneer.” Medium.

2020. “Welcome to Swellsville.” In Elements Magazine Book. Flip N Jay Records.

Courses Taught:

Toronto Metropolitan University International College

INS 101 – Introduction to Media Analysis and the Power of Story

Wilfrid Laurier International College

INS 101 – Introduction to Media Analysis and the Power of Story

ILS 101 – Integrated Learning Skills

Academic Writing and Research

Western University – Faculty of Information and Media Studies

MIT 3217 Public Opinion

University of Guelph School of Fine Art and Music

MUSC 1500 Applied Music V (Turntable)

MUSC 2510 Applied Music IV (Turntable)

Teaching interests and expertise:

Popular music studies, hip-hop studies, turntablism and DJ arts, sound system culture, Canadian media theorists, media and culture, diasporic studies, emerging digital technologies, communication history, political economy of communication, curriculum design.

Full downloadable CV coming.

Contact: nscobie(at)uwo(dot)ca