TORONTO (AP) - Just hours before Aaliyah's short life came to a tragic end in a plane crash on Saturday (Aug. 25),
Lauryn Hill and numerous Canadian artists were in Toronto for a street celebration in honor of much loved MuchMusic VJ Master T, the country's most visible champion of urban music.
The hip-hop star was the surprise performer at the Goodbye Blocko party on Saturday to say farewell to the 40-year-old dread-locked toothy host, who told the National Post newspaper he was asked to leave the video station after 11 years on air. Master T, whose real name is Tony Young, is credited as a significant force in bringing Canadian urban music to the foreground, as well as being one of the primary sources of exposure for international acts. He fought for the cause in a country whose record companies and media outlets largely ignored urban music beyond reason -- and demand. Kids got their urban fix from the U.S.
Hill, personally requested by T to appear at his final day at the station, took the stage in the parking lot of MuchMusic at the tail-end of the festivities. Six months pregnant, looking gorgeous and relaxed in a cool, vintage Bob Marley T-shirt, she sat with her acoustic guitar and played all new material for 40 minutes. She asked the crowd of several hundred to pay attention to the lyrics, explaining how she finds grace through her music.
Prior to Hill, a parade of hip-hop artists performed throughout the afternoon, including Maestro, Michie Mee, k-os, Jelleestone, Baby Blue Soundcrew, Choclair, and Wu-Tang's RZA. Some, such as Kardinal Offishall, simply showed up to give props to the urban music advocate. Rascalz' Red 1 presented him with an engraved "fist of power" trophy on behalf of the Figure IV Entertainment, Canada's premiere hip-hop company.
Over the course of Master T's career at the Canadian video station, the up-for-anything VJ tried breathing techniques with Madonna, took dancing lessons from Britney Spears, and had his head pulled into Scary Spice's cleavage. With an animated charm that made many artists feel instantly at home, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Shaggy, and others actually asked for T to interview them.
Shaquille O'Neal, Redman, Lenny Kravitz, Master P and son Lil' Romeo, Vince Carter, and others sent best wishes via video.
Pictured above are Hill and Master T in a photo by MuchMusic's Barry Roden.
