Ph.D. 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.

I am currently revising my dissertation into a manuscript for submission to academic presses.

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:

Western University – Faculty of Information and Media Studies

  • MIT 3325 Advertising’s Century
  • MIT 3217 Public Opinion

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 (Tutorial)
  • Study Skills (Tutorial)

University of Guelph – School of Fine Art and Music

  • MUSC 1410-20, 2500-10, 3500-10, 4460-70 – Music and Creative Practice (Turntable)

TEACHING AND SCHOLARLY EXPERTISE:

Communication and media studies; communication theory; media theory; communication history; political economy of communication; cultural studies; diaspora studies; popular music studies; hip-hop studies; sound studies; turntablism and DJ arts; sound system culture; digital platforms and platform economies; emerging digital technologies; AI and society; curriculum design.

Contact: nscobie(at)telus.net