Maestro Fresh Wes

Maestro Fresh Wes
Maestro during filming for the Instant Star TV series
Maestro during filming for the Instant Star TV series
Background information
Birth nameWesley Williams
Also known as
  • Maestro Fresh Wes
  • Maestro
  • Melody MC
  • Wes Williams
Born (1968-03-31) March 31, 1968 (age 56)
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • record producer
  • actor
  • author
  • motivational speaker
Years active1987–Present
Labels

Wesley "Wes" Williams (born March 31, 1968) is a Canadian rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and author. He is known professionally by his stage names Maestro Fresh Wes (formerly Maestro Fresh-Wes) or Maestro as a musician, and is credited by his birth name as an actor. One of the earliest Canadian rappers to achieve mainstream success, he is credited as the "Godfather of Canadian hip hop".[1] His debut album, Symphony in Effect (1989), was the first certified platinum album by a Black Canadian artist,[2] and his 2023 induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame was the first for any hip-hop artist.

  1. ^ "Maestro Fresh Wes Gets Classified, the Trews, Rich Kidd for 'Black Tuxedo' EP, Reveals New Album Plans". Exclaim!, September 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "Maestro Fresh Wes". The Canadian Encyclopedia. February 2, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2019.