Internationally acclaimed artist Maestro Fresh Wes joined other prominent figures at the revealing of new Canada Post stamps commemorating hip-hop during Black History Month. The postal service showcased three distinct stamps featuring Maestro Fresh Wes, the renowned rapper and producer from Toronto, as well as Michie Mee, a prominent rapper and actress, and the Quebec-based group Muzion.
Emotional and overwhelmed, Michie Mee expressed her excitement at the recognition of hip-hop by Canada Post, highlighting the significance of being immortalized on a stamp, particularly for her family members who value traditional mail correspondence.
The exclusive stamp debut event attracted nearly 300 attendees, including relatives and friends of the honorees, featuring music, drinks, and dancing. Stanley Rimsky Salgado from Muzion emphasized the importance of acknowledgment within the cultural realm and described hip-hop as a valuable national asset.
The stamp series pays homage to the dynamic history of hip-hop in Canada, boasting vibrant designs printed with fluorescent inks that illuminate under black light. Each stamp showcases striking metallic silver-and-black duotone portraits, complemented by matte and gloss varnishes for a visually captivating effect.
Maestro Fresh Wes expressed his delight at the stamp release, especially since his father captured the featured photo. The stamp designs were crafted by Noël Nanton and Nadia Molinari from typotherapy, a Toronto design studio.
Canada Post highlighted that this marks the first instance of issuing stamps dedicated to hip-hop artists, recognizing their significant contributions in shaping the Canadian hip-hop and rap scene. The stamps and related collectibles are set to be available to the public starting January 28.
In contrast to last year’s Black History Month stamp featuring Marie-Joseph Angélique, who faced false accusations leading to her unjust public hanging in 1734, this year’s stamps celebrate the positive impact of hip-hop culture in Canada.