Maestro Fresh Wes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maestro Fresh Wes
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Maestro during filming for the Instant Star TV series
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wesley Williams |
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| Born | March 31, 1968 |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| Years active | 1987–Present |
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| Associated acts | Kardinal Offishall, Percee P, Rich London, Michie Mee, Classified, Choclair, Dream Warriors, The ... Poet Society, Shad K, Kool G Rap, Sadat X, Ghettosocks, D-Sisive, Infinite |
Wesley Williams (born March 31, 1968), better known as Maestro Fresh Wes, is a Canadian rapper, actor, and author. He is a true pioneer of Canadian rap and is often called the "Godfather of Canadian hip hop."
Maestro was one of the first Canadian rappers to become a huge star. His first album, Symphony in Effect (1989), was the first album by a Black Canadian artist to sell enough copies to be certified platinum. He also made history as the first hip-hop artist ever to be welcomed into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
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Early Life and School
Wesley Williams was born in Toronto, Ontario, on March 31, 1968. His parents were from Guyana. He grew up in the North York and Scarborough areas of Toronto.
After high school, he went to Carleton University in Ottawa. He studied law and political science for one year before focusing on his music career.
Music Career
The Beginning of a Star
Williams fell in love with hip-hop music when he was just 11 years old. By age 15, he was already performing on the radio as Melody MC. He later met a DJ named Farley Flex, and they began working together.
In 1988, he started using the name Maestro Fresh-Wes. He performed his song "Let Your Backbone Slide" on the TV show Electric Circus. This performance was a game-changer for Canadian hip hop. "Let Your Backbone Slide" became the first Canadian rap single to be certified gold.
1989–1991: Making History
In 1989, Maestro released his first album, Symphony in Effect. It was a massive success and became the first platinum-selling hip-hop album in Canada. The next year, his song "Let Your Backbone Slide" became a Top 40 hit on the American Billboard charts, a huge achievement for a Canadian rapper at the time.
In 1991, he joined a group of Toronto musicians called Dance Appeal. They recorded a song called "Can't Repress the Cause" to ask for more hip-hop music to be included in the Canadian music world.
1991–1999: New Challenges and a Big Comeback
After his early success, Maestro tried to become popular in the United States. It was a tough challenge, but he didn't give up.
He returned to the Canadian music charts in 1998 with two popular songs, "Stick to Your Vision" and "416/905 (T.O. Party Anthem)". These hits proved that he was still a major force in Canadian music.
2000–2013: New Music and Collaborations
In 2000, Maestro released the album Ever Since. It featured the track "Bustin Loose" with fellow Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall.
In 2005, he recorded a new version of the song "A Criminal Mind". The original singer, Lawrence Gowan, even appeared in the music video.
In 2012, he released an EP (a short album) called Black Tuxedo. The next year, he released the full album Orchestrated Noise. For this album, he went back to his original stage name, Maestro Fresh Wes.
2017–Present: Still on Top
Maestro's 2017 album, Coach Fresh, included the song "Jurassic Park." He made this song with Rich Kidd to cheer for the Toronto Raptors basketball team. When the Raptors made it to the 2019 NBA Finals, the song became an anthem for fans.
In 2019, his album Champagne Campaign was released. That same year, "Let Your Backbone Slide" was added to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. It was the first rap song ever to receive this honor.
In 2024, Maestro was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, becoming the first hip-hop artist to earn this incredible achievement.
Acting Career
Besides music, Wes Williams is also a talented actor. He has appeared in many TV shows and movies, and he uses his real name, Wes Williams, for his acting roles.
He played the role of Paul Dwyer, a teacher and vice-principal, on the popular CBC Television show Mr. D for eight seasons (2012-2018). He has also acted in shows like Instant Star and movies like Honey and Four Brothers.
Since 2022, he has been the host of the CBC reality show Race Against the Tide. On the show, sand sculptors compete to create amazing art before the ocean tide washes it away.
Author and Speaker
In 2010, Maestro and his wife wrote a motivational book called Stick to Your Vision: How to Get Past the Hurdles & Haters to Get Where You Want to Be. The book is now required reading for some high school students in Nova Scotia.
He also wrote a children's book called "Stick To Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School." The book encourages kids to express themselves through music and poetry.
Personal Life
After living in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, Williams and his family moved to Saint John, New Brunswick, in 2020. He wanted to be closer to family and enjoy a different lifestyle.
In Saint John, he quickly became a part of the community. He hosted a radio show, coached kids' sports teams, and even had a cooking show. In 2023, he started the Maestro Fresh Wes Scholarship at Nova Scotia Community College to help Black students studying trades and transportation.
Discography
Studio albums
- Symphony in Effect (1989)
- The Black Tie Affair (1991)
- Maestro Zone (1992)
- Naaah, Dis Kid Can't Be from Canada?!! (1994)
- Built to Last (1998)
- Ever Since (2000)
- Orchestrated Noise (2013)
- Coach Fresh (2017)
- Champagne Campaign (2019)
EPs
- Louie Louie (1990)
- Black Tuxedo (2012)
- Compositions Volume 1 (2015)
Compilations
- Urban Landmark 1989–2005 (2005)
- Rap Prime Minister (2024)
