KhaRå Martin, Toronto actress and filmmaker, takes us on a unique trip through Black Canadian history. Plenty of Black Canadian history lives in folders, on tapes, and in photo albums stored in basements and attics.  Canadian hip hop began, long before Drake, with artists like Mr. Q in 1979 and The Singing Fools in 1983. Mark Campbell, hip hop researcher and professor is interested in the impact of the hip hop culture, the production community, the vocal history, and all the people involved.  

Michael Williams, an early VJ at Much Music, brought Black artists and breakdance to Canadian screens, and Master T (Tony Young) became the godfather of Canadian hip hop. ‘Let Your Backbone Slide’, by Maestro Fresh Wes was the first Canadian gold and platinum hip hop record, and Michie Mee was the first hip hop artist to sign a deal with a major American record label. These people, along with community and campus radio, paved the way for international recognition of artists like Junior Black and Socrates GCP. Denham Jolly (Canada’s first Black radio station in 2001), Ebonnie Rowe (Honey Jam showcasing female artists), and Beat Factory (music management), were some of the influencers who changed the music landscape. Drake was possible because of all that went before him. We must archive Black history and the forms that created cultural identity, activism, and power for future generations.