Canadian hip-hop icon Michie Mee is ecstatic after receiving news from Canada Post. The renowned rapper, also known as the godmother of Canadian rap, will soon be featured on an official Canadian postage stamp. “I was in disbelief, and I was like, ‘You’re kidding me.’ And then I was just overjoyed,” she shared with As It Happens host Nil Kӧksal. Michie Mee will be part of a trio of stamps honoring Canadian hip-hop pioneers for Black History Month in February, alongside Toronto rapper and producer Maestro Fresh Wes and Quebec group Muzion.
Canada Post highlighted that each artist played a significant role in shaping the hip-hop and rap genre in Canada. Michie Mee, originally from Jamaica and raised in Toronto, was recognized for incorporating Jamaican patois into her lyrics. Maestro Fresh Wes was acknowledged as the first Canadian MC to achieve mainstream success with his hit single “Let Your Backbone Slide” in 1989, while Muzion brought a unique sound by blending French, English, and Haitian Creole in their music.
This marks the first time Canada Post has issued stamps honoring hip-hop artists for Black History Month since they started releasing stamps for this occasion in 2009. Michie Mee, born Michelle Ann Camille McCullock, made history as the first Canadian hip-hop artist signed in the U.S. back in 1988.
Reflecting on her career, Michie Mee emphasized the challenges faced by Canadian hip-hop artists in the ’80s and ’90s due to lack of support and recognition. Despite the hurdles, she and her peers persevered and made a lasting impact on the music scene in Canada. She emphasized the unity and collaboration among various music genres within the Canadian music community.
The Canadian hip-hop stamps will be unveiled at a private event in Toronto on Jan. 27 and will be available to the public in February. Michie Mee expressed gratitude for being recognized and is looking forward to seeing the stamp design. She encouraged aspiring Canadian artists to stay focused, believe in themselves, and enjoy the journey in the music industry.
Michie Mee’s advice to the next generation of artists is to manage finances wisely, stay true to themselves, and embrace the process. She concluded by expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to be honored on a Canadian stamp, emphasizing that every part of her identity is valuable and worth celebrating.