The man of many firsts, Maestro Fresh Wes, is to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

No stranger to breaking barriers, the three-time Juno Award winning artist was the first Canadian rapper to crack Billboards top 40 with track “Let Your Back Bone Slide” and in 1989, his record Symphony Effect, was the first Canadian rap album to go platinum.

The same Billboard topping song would receive gold certification, extending his reach beyond the charts. The popularity of the track led the Juno Awards to create the Rap Category in 1991, giving him the inaugural win.

More recently in 2019, “Let your Backbone Slide” became the first rap song inducted into the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

Maestro Fresh Wes continues to elevate the hip hop genre as the first hip hop artist to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

“I’m a foundation of something that starts breaking international parameters” he explained in an interview about his achievement.

Maestro states that he “enjoys being the first” and recognizes that this is about how far the hip hop genre, and Black music can go. Canada celebrated hip hop’s 50th anniversary just last year, with Maestro in attendance at the 2023 Juno celebration. Also in attendance was his sister, Melissa Langley, professionally known as DJ Mel Boogie.

Making it a family affair, Boogie was honoured in March by Women in Music Canada with a Career Achievement Award for her 30 plus years as radio host and DJ. In 2023, she was the first female DJ on the Juno Awards and is a current judge for Polaris. She is also a member of the Juno Rap Category Committee.

Born as Wesley Williams to Guyanese parents in Scarborough, Maestro grew up listening to reggae, jazz, and soca music. His unique style and classic bow-tie look helped carve out a place for him as Canada’s ‘godfather of hip-hop.’

Not only is he a music pioneer but is a constant supporter of education and self-improvement. Maestro is the author of Stick to Your Vision: How to Get Past the Hurdles and Haters to Get Where You Want to Be; the book is used throughout Canada in some adult education and high school curriculums. His children’s book, Young Maestro Goes to School, draws inspiration from his family and hometown.

Maestro remembers his roots, often returning to his Scarborough community. He acknowledges his role as a pillar in hip hop and believes in the legacy the genre can provide.

It seems as though Canada is finally taking notice of the many contributions Black Canadian’s have made in the country’s music landscape. While many Black Canadian musicians still struggle for representation, Maestro’s ability to etch himself into the country’s music landscape is a positive sign for the community.

“This is a part of not only my hip-hop history but a part of Canadian Black Music” says Maestro.

He joins as only the fourth Black inductee into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, following Dr. Oliver Jones induction last year. Deborah Cox was the first Black inductee (and first Black female inductee) in 2022, after a 44-year gap since Oscar Peterson’s induction in 1978.

The ceremony will be held during the March 24th, 2024, Juno Awards at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

If you’d like to learn more about Maestro Fresh Wes or DJ Mel Boogie, please check out their biographies by the CBMA here:

Maestro Fresh Wes DJ Mel Boogie