Canadian hip-hop icon Michie Mee is buzzing with excitement after receiving a call from Canada Post. Known as the pioneer of Canadian rap, the rapper and actress will soon grace an official postage stamp.
Expressing her elation, Michie Mee shared her disbelief upon hearing the news. She will be part of a series of three stamps honoring Canadian hip-hop trailblazers during Black History Month in February. Joining her on the stamps will be Toronto rapper Maestro Fresh Wes and Quebec trio Muzion.
Canada Post highlighted that each artist played a significant role in shaping the hip-hop and rap scene in Canada. Michie Mee, originally from Jamaica and raised in Toronto, was recognized for incorporating Jamaican patois into her music. Maestro Fresh Wes was acknowledged as the first Canadian MC to achieve mainstream success with his hit single “Let Your Backbone Slide,” while Muzion brought a unique sound by blending French, English, and Haitian Creole in their music.
The upcoming stamps mark the first time Canada Post will feature hip-hop artists in its Black History Month collection since starting in 2009. Michie Mee, also known as Michelle Ann Camille McCullock, made history as the first Canadian hip-hop artist signed in the U.S. back in 1988.
Reflecting on her journey, Michie Mee recalled the challenges faced by Canadian hip-hop artists in the past when the genre lacked recognition and support. Despite the hurdles, she emphasized the importance of unity within the music community, bridging different genres and embracing diversity.
The unveiling of the hip-hop stamps is set for a private event in Toronto on Jan. 27 before being available to the public in February. While grateful for the honor, Michie Mee expressed her joy at being recognized and immortalized on a stamp, embracing every part of her identity and legacy.
Offering advice to aspiring Canadian artists, Michie Mee encouraged them to stay focused, believe in themselves, and enjoy the journey. She emphasized the value of perseverance, self-belief, and the enduring joy found in the pursuit of artistic expression.