8. Maestro Fresh Wes
Before Drake and even Kardinal Offishall, Maesto Fresh Wes was the first MC to put on for Toronto. Wes (who apparently just goes by Maestro now) gave Canada its first homegrown rap hit, with 1989’s “Let Your Backbone Slide.” His Symphony in Effect was best-selling Canadian rap LP of all-time prior to Drake’s Take Care. For another Guyanese contributor to Canadian rap, see Saukrates, perhaps best known south of the border for his many collaborations with Redman.