Just before announcing the 2023 Juno Award for Rap Album/EP of the Year, rappers Haviah Mighty and Kardinal Offishall took the stage to pay homage to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
THAT PERFORMANCE 🔥 @Choclair, @DJMelBoogie, #DreamWarriors, @HaviahMighty, @KardinalO, @MaestroFreshWes, @MichieBadgalMee and @sincerelyTOBi celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop with this epic collaboration #JUNOS
Offishall, sporting a De La Soul jacket, began with a shout-out to DJ Kool Herc, whose infamous party back in the Bronx back in 1973 is widely accepted as the birthplace of hip hop. Mighty followed highlighting different iconic locations integral to the expansion of hip-hop in Canada.
After their short history lesson, Offishall welcomed Canadian hip-hop pioneer Michie Mee to perform her 1991 hit “Jamaican Funk.”
Offishall and Mighty continued to pay homage to legendary Canadian hip-hop artists with Offishall detailing the history of Maestro Fresh Wes, who appeared on Ghetto Concept’s “Still Too Much,” one the best Canadian hip-hop songs of all time.
Hip-hop group Dream Warriors reunited to perform “My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style” from 1991.
Offishall shouted out many key players of Canadian hip-hop from the 90s such as Ghetto Concept, Saukrates, Swollen Members, Dubmatique, and K-os, among several more.
Mighty took a moment to honour Choclair, whose debut album went Gold in 30 days when it released in 1998. She then welcomed him on stage, while also shouting out her cohost Offishall for producing “Let’s Ride,” the song Choclair would go on to perform.
Moving forward into the modern era, Offishall and Mighty honoured Canada’s more recent stars while also shouting out its rising stars too. Naturally, the two thanked Drake for what he had done for Canadian hip-hop but Offishall also highlighted Mighty’s highly celebrated discography.
Mighty then listed a number of Canadian rappers making waves like Cadence Weapon, Tasha the Amazon, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Shad, Smiley, Northsidebenji, and Pat Stay, among others.
Finally, Mighty encouraged the audience to give artists their flowers before it's too late before welcoming rapper Tobi, who would go on to win Rap Album/EP of the Year, to perform his recent hit “Flowers.”
The 2023 Juno Awards were held last night in Edmonton, Alberta.
