Kama Reveals Deep Toronto Lineage Behind Pressa & Smoke Dawg: The Fathers, the Come-Up, and the Drake Tour That Changed Everything

Toronto hip-hop has always carried a powerful lineage — one that stretches across neighborhoods, generations, and family trees. In a recent WorldWide Entertainment TV interview, Toronto veteran Kama revealed a rarely-discussed but culturally significant piece of history: he personally knew both Prestige, father of Pressa, and Dookie, father of Smoke Dawg.

This revelation adds a deeper layer to the stories of two of the most influential artists of Toronto’s new wave.

PRESSA & SMOKE DAWG: A LEGACY ROOTED IN TORONTO STREETS

Kama’s discussion isn’t just about two artists — it’s about two families whose names have echoed through Toronto long before the music industry ever took notice.

PRESSA — The Driftwood Phenomenon with Global Reach

Born Quinton Gardner, Pressa rose out of the Driftwood community with a sound that cut through the noise and reached worldwide audiences.
His come-up was marked by relentless storytelling, a unique voice, and undeniable hunger — traits many say he inherited from his father, Prestige, a well-known figure in the neighborhood.

Pressa’s trajectory accelerated when Drake co-signed him, bringing him on the European “Boy Meets World” Tour. The move shifted Pressa from local star to international name almost overnight.

SMOKE DAWG — The Halal Gang Star Who Redefined a Generation

Smoke Dawg (Jahvante Smart) remains one of the most impactful voices of Toronto’s modern wave. His breakout hit “Still” and the Halal Gang movement became anthems of the city’s youth.

Kama’s mention of Smoke Dawg’s father, Dookie, highlights the deeply rooted influence Smoke carried — the continuation of a community lineage.

Smoke Dawg also joined Drake on the “Boy Meets World” tour, performing across Europe and placing Toronto’s street rap scene on a global stage for the first time.

THE LEGENDARY PHOTO DRAKE POSTED

One of the most iconic images in Toronto hip-hop is the picture of a young Pressa and Smoke Dawg together — a moment Drake reposted years later, amplifying its cultural significance.

Kama brings context to this moment, explaining that the connection between the two artists runs deeper than music. Their fathers, Prestige and Dookie, were also known figures in the community, making the friendship between Pressa and Smoke Dawg part of a multi-generational story.

KAMA’S PERSPECTIVE: TORONTO HISTORY COMES FULL CIRCLE

As someone who knew both families personally, Kama offers insight that most fans never get to hear:

• Prestige (Pressa’s father) played a major role in shaping Driftwood’s environment, vocabulary, and culture — elements that still influence Toronto slang and rap today.

• Dookie (Smoke Dawg’s father) was respected in his own right, and Smoke’s charisma, presence, and respect in the community echoed that lineage.

Kama’s testimony bridges past and present. It reminds the city that behind every artist are the people who shaped them — mentors, older heads, family members, and the streets themselves.

THE DRIZZY EFFECT — HOW DRAKE AMPLIFIED THE MOVEMENT

Drake’s involvement was catalytic.

When Drake brought Pressa and Smoke Dawg on tour in 2017, it marked the first time Toronto’s raw street rap was showcased on an international stage.

This tour:

• Validated Toronto’s underground scene

• Showed the world a new sound

• Cemented Pressa and Smoke Dawg as leaders of the new wave

Smoke Dawg and Halal Gang even performed at OVO Fest, further weaving their story into Toronto’s musical legacy.

Drake’s public mourning of Smoke Dawg’s death and his acknowledgment of Pressa’s journey further solidified the emotional connection between Toronto’s biggest superstar and its emerging young leaders.

THE FUTURE OF TORONTO HIP-HOP AND WHY THIS HISTORY MATTERS

Kama’s reflections underscore an important truth:

Toronto hip-hop is built on roots — real history, real families, real neighborhoods.

Pressa continues to push the genre internationally with new releases, while Smoke Dawg’s legacy lives on through his music, his influence, and the many artists he inspired.

Understanding where they came from — and the men who raised them — adds depth to their stories and to Toronto’s cultural identity as a whole.