Music/Events

Kardinal Offishall is this year’s winner of the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour, an annual recognition given as part of Canada’s Walk of Fame ceremonies that celebrates the achievements of Canadian musicians who have used their voices and talent to inspire and drive positive impact in the music industry.

Kardi to his friends, and he has many, Kardinal is a multi-award-winning Canadian music icon, producer, A&R executive, and philanthropist. He has been a relentless force in shaping Canada’s hip hop scene and a champion of emerging homegrown talent. He will be honoured at the 25^th Anniversary Celebration of Canada’s Walk of Fame during a star-studded tribute to the 2023 Inductees and Honourees at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

His collaborations with global superstars include such hit records as Beautiful with Akon, Just Dance with Lady Gaga and Numba 1 with Rihanna. Kardinal made history when his monster classic Dangerous scorched to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, making him the first Canadian rapper to do so. His talents now extend beyond music and he is a judge on TV’s Canada’s Got Talent.

His Canadian artist collabs include Drake, K’naan, Daniel Caesar, Boi-1da and Glenn Lewis. His music has been featured on Dave Chappelle’s Netflix comedy special Equanimity.

As a philanthropist, Kardinal hosts the annual Kardi Christmas Party charity event, now in its 23^rd year, raising thousands for community initiatives and causes, including 30-elephants.com, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), The Breast Cancer Society of Canada and Free The Children. He’s a founding member of Advance, a non-profit Canadian Black Music Business Collective that advocates, mentors, supports and provides tangible opportunities for members of Black communities working in all areas of the Canadian music industry. During his tenure serving as Canada’s first Black senior VP of A&R at a major label (Universal Music Canada), he established the Black Label Coalition, securing funds for various charities.

Kardinal also serves as Global A&R at Def Jam Records and has an impressive track record of achievements, from performing for Nelson Mandela to being a federal ambassador for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

“I am thrilled to hear that Kardinal Offishall will be receiving the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour this year,” says Gary Slaight, president & CEO of The Slaight Family Foundation and whose family helps support the award and CWOF.

“Throughout his career, my father, Allan, championed Canadian artists going back to when Gordon Lightfoot was starting off, and in later years with the creation of Slaight Music that has fostered the discovery and development of many homegrown artists. Notably, he also built a broadcasting empire that included radio and television. While doing this, he never wavered in his philanthropic support, donating tens of millions of dollars to the Canadian Arts and organizations that offered support to the needy in Canada and in developing countries.

“Kardi, in his way, has pushed for the betterment of new artists, raised money to help those in need and accomplished greatness in his career. For all of this, I am proud to say I have known Kardi for many years and that I genuinely can’t think of anyone more deserving to receive this special recognition. Congratulations, Kardi,” says Slaight.

Launched in 2010, the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour is an annual celebration of the achievements of Canadian musicians who have used their voices and talent to inspire and drive positive impact in the music industry. Honourees include Arkells (2022), Serena Ryder (2021), Alessia Cara (2019), Jesse Reyez (2018), Shawn Hook (2017), Brett Kissel (2016), Shawn Mendes (2015), The Weeknd (2014), Carly Rae Jepsen (2013), Melanie Fiona (2012), Drake (2011) and Nikki Yanovski (2010).