Key Takeaways:
- Canadian hip-hop legend Michie Mee will be featured on an official postage stamp, along with Maestro Fresh Wes and Muzion, as part of Canada Post’s Black History Month celebration.
- This is the first time Canada Post has issued stamps celebrating hip-hop artists, and Michie Mee is "overjoyed" to be recognized for her contributions to the genre.
- Michie Mee was a pioneering figure in Canadian hip-hop, bringing Jamaican patois into her rhymes and forging a career despite underfunding and lack of recognition for Canadian hip-hop.
- The stamps will be unveiled at a private event in Toronto on January 27 and made available to the public in February.
- Michie Mee advises the next generation of Canadian artists to save their money, believe in themselves, and have fun on their journey to success.
Introduction to Michie Mee’s Achievement
Canadian hip-hop legend Michie Mee is still basking in the excitement of being told she will be featured on an official postage stamp. The rapper and actress, known as the godmother of Canadian rap, will soon be immortalized on one of three stamps honouring Canadian hip-hop trailblazers for Black History Month in February. Michie Mee’s reaction to the news was one of disbelief and joy, as she told As It Happens host Nil Kksal, "I was in disbelief, and I was like, ‘You’re kidding me.’ And then I was just overjoyed." She will be joined by Toronto rapper and producer Maestro Fresh Wes, and Quebec trio Muzion, on the stamps, which recognize their contributions to shaping the genre of hip-hop and rap in Canada.
The Significance of the Stamps
The issuance of these stamps marks a significant milestone in Canadian hip-hop history, as it is the first time Canada Post has released stamps celebrating hip-hop artists. Michie Mee noted that it’s been a long time coming, especially for women in rap and Canadian women in rap. She was the first Canadian hip-hop artist to be signed in the U.S. in 1988 and has been a pioneering figure in the genre. The stamps are a testament to the impact and influence of these artists on the Canadian music scene. As Michie Mee said, "It’s been so long in terms of being recognized for women in rap, much less Canadian women in rap." The stamps will be a celebration of their contributions to the genre and their role in shaping the sound of Canadian hip-hop.
Michie Mee’s Career and Legacy
Michie Mee’s career spans several decades, and she has been instrumental in bringing Jamaican patois into her rhymes. She forged her career during an era when Canadian hip-hop was underfunded, underplayed, and overlooked. Despite these challenges, she and her cohorts in the 1980s and 1990s were able to build a scene and create a community around hip-hop. They did this by building relationships with other musicians, including those from different genres, and by creating a unique sound that reflected their Canadian identity. As Michie Mee said, "We got to unite a little bit different than the people around the world because we only had each other in the music." This sense of community and camaraderie has been a hallmark of Michie Mee’s career and has helped to shape the Canadian hip-hop scene into what it is today.
The Impact of the Stamps on the Next Generation
The recognition of Michie Mee and other Canadian hip-hop pioneers is not only a celebration of their achievements but also a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication. Michie Mee’s advice to the next generation of Canadian artists is to save their money, believe in themselves, and have fun on their journey to success. She emphasizes the importance of staying focused and not getting discouraged by setbacks or negative feedback. As she said, "Don’t get discouraged. The fun is in the journey. The fun is getting there. I’ve had so much fun, and I’m still having fun." The stamps will serve as a reminder to young artists that their hard work and passion can lead to recognition and success.
The Unveiling of the Stamps
The Canadian hip-hop stamps will be unveiled at a private event at The Concert Hall in Toronto on January 27 and made available to the public in February. Michie Mee is grateful to be "alive and getting a stamp" and is excited to see how the stamps will be received by the public. She is confident that the stamps will be a celebration of her legacy and the legacy of Canadian hip-hop, and she is proud to be a part of this momentous occasion. As she said, "It’s all a part of me, so I don’t think they can choose a bad pic. It’s who I am, who I was, who I will be forever." The unveiling of the stamps will be a significant moment in Canadian hip-hop history, and it will be a celebration of the genre and its pioneers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recognition of Michie Mee and other Canadian hip-hop pioneers is a significant milestone in Canadian music history. The issuance of the stamps is a testament to the impact and influence of these artists on the Canadian music scene, and it serves as a reminder to young artists that their hard work and passion can lead to recognition and success. Michie Mee’s legacy continues to inspire and influence new generations of artists, and her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication. As she looks back on her career, Michie Mee is proud of what she has accomplished, and she is excited to see what the future holds for Canadian hip-hop. The stamps will be a celebration of her legacy and the legacy of Canadian hip-hop, and they will serve as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of pioneers in the genre.
