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