Canada Post Honours Canadian Hip-Hop Pioneers With Black History Month Stamps

Canada Post is spotlighting Canadian hip-hop history in a landmark Black History Month stamp release celebrating Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee, and Montreal rap trio Muzion.

Since launching its Black History Month stamp program in 2009, the postal service has honoured influential individuals and movements that have shaped Canada’s cultural landscape. This year’s issuance is significant: it marks the first time Canadian hip-hop artists have been formally recognized within the program, acknowledging the genre’s foundational role in the country’s musical and cultural identity.

The trio selected for the 2026 stamps represent pivotal chapters in Canadian hip-hop’s evolution. Maestro Fresh Wes broke barriers in 1989 when he became the first Canadian MC to achieve mainstream success with the iconic single “Let Your Backbone Slide.” His impact has endured for decades, culminating in a 2023 Polaris Heritage Prize for his debut album Symphony in Effect, followed by his induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and recognition as the first hip-hop recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

Michie Mee, widely regarded as a trailblazer for women in Canadian hip-hop, helped carve space for female voices in a male-dominated genre, while Muzion’s socially conscious work brought Montreal’s francophone hip-hop scene to national and international attention.

The stamps will be officially unveiled at a private event at Toronto’s Concert Hall on January 27. The evening will also feature appearances from DJ and broadcaster Ron Nelson, television producer-director Michele Geister, and former MusiquePlus VJ Malik Shaheed, further underscoring the community and media figures who helped elevate hip-hop culture in Canada.

Together, the release stands as both a celebration and a correction—formally enshrining Canadian hip-hop pioneers within the nation’s Black History Month commemorations and affirming their lasting cultural legacy.