A Night to Remember: My First Major Event as Ontario’s Poet Laureate

On September 27, 2025 something powerful happened. I had the deep honour

of hosting my first major event as Poet Laureate of Ontario at the Living Arts

Centre in Mississauga, ON. The event was called: A Celebration of Hip Hop and

Poetry – Words. Power. Sound. This gathering wasn’t just a show it was a

movement, a living, breathing celebration of culture, community, and the

transformative power of language and rhythm.

From the very beginning, my vision for this event was clear: bring together a

lineup of artists I love, admire and respect! Voices that have shaped our cultural

landscape, pushed creative boundaries, and uplifted the communities around

them. What happened that night was more than I could have ever imagined.

We laughed. We cheered. We shouted and clapped. We listened. We felt deeply.

Most importantly, We shared space. There was something sacred about the

energy in that room. The stage transformed into more than a platform, it became

an altar. Each performer brought their full selves to the mic, offering pieces of

their heart, their story, their truth. There was a collective reverence in the air, we

all knew we were witnessing something special.

From the jump, DJ Straightgoods laid the foundation with sonic mastery. His

hands on the turntables built the atmosphere, pulling us into the groove, guiding

us through the night with rub-a-dub selection that resonated deep in the soul.

RaSoul, with his unmistakable energy and magnetic smile, kept the momentum

flowing. Whether on stage or among the crowd, he brought a sense of joy and

unity that reminded everyone of the beauty of shared celebration.

I even had a chance to connect with my biological brother PJ, on a piece where

spoken word met martial arts and showcased high level craftsmanship. We

resemble each other so we tried to throw the audience off with the change of

pace. We caught a couple people too! Lol

Britta B took the mic and the room stood still….then they rose to their feet. Her

presence, her brilliance, her command of the stage lit a fire in the audience that

only grew stronger as the night went on.

Then there was Randell, Ontario’s First Poet Laureate and an icon in his own

right. He and I sat down for a heartfelt conversation that touched on his journey,

his challenges, his victories, and the passing of the torch. It was a full-circle

moment for me, something I’ll carry with me forever.

JO Mairs came through and absolutely melted the stage with a performance full

of bars, flow, and swagger that left jaws dropped. And Killabeatz? His vocal

percussion had the crowd shaking their heads in awe. After all the years of

performing with him, how one voice can produce that kind of sound still had me

shook.

If I had to choose a single moment that hit deepest, it would be the final act. It

was when the P.E.A.C.E. team came together, it was myself, RaSoul, and the

queen of P.E.A.C.E. herself, Nilla. The energy was electric. The crowd had their

hands up, shouting and dancing along with purpose and love. Everyone was

fully embracing all the positive vibrations. We didn’t just perform. We connected.

We built something together and it was on full display all night.

For me, this event wasn’t just about showcasing talent. It was about honouring

legacy, celebrating culture, and reminding ourselves and the world, that Poetry

and Hip Hop are not just art forms, they are vessels of truth, healing, and

change.

To my family, my community, and every person who showed up and showed

love, thank you and I appreciate you. To everyone reading this, Make sure not to

miss Volume 2 next year in 2026! We just getting started.

Words. Power. Sound.

Matthew-Ray aka Testament

Carrying the Torch: A Season of Poetry, Power & Hip Hop Across Ontario

The journey continues.

After an unforgettable National Poetry Month I’ve been busy. I closed out the school year strong performing at BBQs and a variety of different school events. June is also National Volunteer Month and I had the opportunity to perform at a ‘battle of the chefs’ fundraiser for Food For Kids Halton a local charity I’ve been volunteering with for the past three years. I also created a custom poetry piece for an organization called Applaud, they used it as a part of their appreciation certificates that went out to the community to celebrate their efforts.

After taking some time to reset at the gorgeous Valleyview retreat space, some time with family and friends to enjoy the Summer, I’m hitting the road again—this time bringing the energy, the rhythm, and the truth of Hip Hop and poetry to communities all across Ontario.

It all kicks off August 11 in Malton, ON where we’ll be celebrating Hip Hop’s 52 Birthday at the Jonathan Davies Youth Centre. This will be a vibrant community gathering with Graf writers, Breakers, Mc’s, Dj’s and more. Join in as we take time to commemorate the global phenomenon that is Hip Hop culture.

From there, I take the torch North.

August 12–14, I’ll be in Thunder Bay ON, connecting with artists, students, and community builders. I’m looking forward to the land, the stories, and the people. Northern Ontario holds a unique rhythm, and I’m honoured to support the work of Applaud during the workshops I will be hosting while in town at Lakehead University.

August 20 I make a stop in Mississauga, ON as host for Amphitheatre Unplugged. A night featuring 7 local talents including musicians, singers, dancers, poets and comedians.

As summer turns to fall, the tour continues:

• September 12– Waterloo, ON (League of Poets Reading and Talk)

• September 17–19 – Ottawa, ON (Cranium Festival)

• October 21–23 – Kingston, ON (Applaud workshop series)

• November 13 – Kitchener, ON (Applaud workshop series)

• November 17–19 – London, ON (Western University workshop, Antler River poetry reading)

Each stop is more than a performance—it’s a dialogue. A chance to gather in schools, libraries, community centres, and auditoriums to explore language as a force for transformation.

But there’s one night I want to highlight, a true moment for the city and the culture.

On September 27 @ 8PM, join me in Mississauga, ON at the Living Arts Centre for ‘A Celebration of Hip Hop and Poetry: Words. Power. Sound.’ This event is going to be electric. Expect lyricism, storytelling, exciting surprises, giveaways and more. It's more than a show—it’s a movement.

As Ontario’s Poet Laureate, I’m here to remind people of these simple truths: Everything is created in language and what we say shapes the world in which we ALL live.

I can’t wait to build, to share space, and to witness what happens when communities come together in the name of Words, Power, and Sound.

With gratitude,

Matthew-Ray Jones

Ontario’s Poet Laureate

My First National Poetry Month as Ontario’s Poet Laureate

April 2025 was a month I’ll never forget. As Ontario’s Poet Laureate, I embarked on my very first National Poetry Month tour across the Greater Toronto Area—and it was a beautiful journey. I moved from school gyms to community centres, libraries to auditoriums and I carried my powerful message: everything is created in language, words can change everything.

I often say, “Words are like swords.” They can cut deeply but they can also heal, inspire, and uplift. This is the essence of why I do what I do. Many people overlook poetry as just rhymes and verses, but it’s so much more—it’s a form of resistance, of self-expression, of liberation.

Throughout April, I made stops in Kitchener, Brampton, Milton, Mississauga, Toronto, Woodbridge, Stouffville, Vaughan, Newmarket, Markham, Oshawa, and beyond. Each place made me feel welcomed and appreciated in so many ways. I visited elementary schools and high schools, held career talks, and performed at community showcases. No two audiences were the same but all left a lasting impression on me.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the tour came during a Black Students Association showcase in the Peel Region. Over 30 schools came together to celebrate the depth of Black culture through dance, music, and—of course—poetry. It reminded me how art, especially spoken word, can honour history while empowering the present.

I also ran multiple workshops with groups as small as five people and as large as 200. We talked about mental health, personal identity, life’s ups and downs and how poetry can be a lifeline in this unpredictable world. One exercise I love teaching is about the phrase “I AM.” Two small words, that hold enormous weight. “I am strong.” “I am worthy.” “I am enough.” These aren’t just words, they are affirmations that can change someone’s whole life and perspective.

I always love being amongst young people they always inspire me with their creativity, dreams and goals. Some came into my workshops unsure of their voice or hesitant to share. But by the end, they were on their feet speaking in front of others, spitting bars with their friends, writing stories and verses, but most importantly reclaiming their power. That’s what poetry does—it gives those that feel voiceless a vehicle.

National Poetry Month 2025 showed me the immense potential within our communities. It challenged me, taught me, and filled me with hope. As I continue this journey as Ontario’s Poet Laureate, I carry with me every word shared, every story told, every young person who now believes their voice matters. The smiles and the laughter live on in my memories eternally.

I’m here as a torch bearer to remind people —“you are what you say you are”

With deep gratitude,

Matthew-Ray Jones Ontario’s Poet Laureate