The History of Hip-Hop in Toronto

Toronto's hip-hop scene has a rich history, dating back to the early 1980s. Some of the early pioneers of Toronto hip-hop include Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee, and Ghetto Concept.

In the early 1990s, Toronto's hip-hop scene began to gain international attention, thanks to artists like Kardinal Offishall and Choclair. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Toronto became a major hub for hip-hop music, with the rise of artists like Drake, The Weeknd, and Tory Lanez.

Today, Toronto's hip-hop scene is more vibrant than ever. There are a number of talented artists making music in the city, and Toronto is home to a number of successful hip-hop labels and businesses.

Here is a brief timeline of some of the key moments in the history of hip-hop in Toronto!

  • 1981: Maestro Fresh Wes releases "Let Your Backbone Slide," one of the first hip-hop songs to be recorded in Canada. Music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

  • 1983: Michie Mee releases "If You Don't Know," the first rap song by a Canadian woman to be played on national radio.

  • 1989: Ghetto Concept releases "Certified," the first Canadian rap album to be certified gold.

  • 1991: Toronto Hip Hop Pioneer, Kardinal Offishall releases "Naughty Dread," his debut single!

  • 1993: Choclair releases "What It Be Like," his breakthrough single.

  • 2011: The Weeknd releases "House of Balloons," his debut mixtape.

  • 2012: Drake releases "Take Care," his second studio album, which wins a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

  • 2015: The Weeknd releases "Beauty Behind the Madness," his second studio album, which is nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

  • 2016: Tory Lanez releases "I Told You," his debut studio album, which is certified platinum in Canada and the United States.

These are just a few of the many milestones in the history of hip-hop in Toronto. The city's hip-hop scene has been influential on the global stage, and it continues to produce talented artists and businesses.

To learn more about the history of hip-hop in Toronto and the city's current hip-hop scene, visit DJFTP.ca.

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