Maestro Fresh Wes - "Let Your Backbone Slide" (Official Video)

"Let Your Backbone Slide" from debut album Symphony in Effect released in 1989.

[@Chios82100]

If you're here in 2024 you've proven that Legends never die!... 36 years later still pumping Maestro Toronto's OG.

[@albertfrancissimons7907]

Just saw him in the news my guys a legend, found out last week he was canadian

[@melissahadjis1235]

I’m watching the Juno’s right now. He just won The Hall of Fame award. Didn’t realize until now that he was Canadian! So cool ❤

[@Chios82100]

​@@melissahadjis1235 That's the man that put Toronto on the map... Actually put Canada on the map.... Drake was only 3 years old when this man was dropping hits.

[@sudsysutherland359]

@@albertfrancissimons7907• I was thinking the same thing that i never knew he was Canadian 🤙

[@montejones9612]

From the States. Maestro was rocking 🕺🏿

[@legojenn]

This message has been brought to you by Ontario's chiropractors.

[@rodericksmith859]

Very original 👍😁

[@MrSky10101]

That was clever!

[@africaRBG]

Lol nice

[@pwc7475]

lol

[@nicetry1183]

sure.

[@Roogs]

In my opinion, the most important rap song in Canadian history.

[@liah401]

The most underrated rapper I've ever seen....

[@HerculesRockefellerESQ]

You're not kidding.

[@crazyralph6386]

He’s a national treasure

[@troysmoliak4924]

Yes he's definitely underrated that's for sure?

[@Art--Deco]

*This is the TRUE #1 TORONTO anthem.* *A Classic among classics. You had to be there to understand the enormity of this song. Absolute airwave domination in '89.* *Ran out and bought the CASSINGLE back in the day. Song still sounds as wicked today as back then.*

[@nuffaction5464]

Wuz there!

[@theseanwardshow]

and still sounds fresh and new. Contender for literally the most timeless and classic single ever released by anyone in any genre

[@mothadone]

This one of the few songs I can sing from start to finish from memory. I keep hoping an American artist/production would sample this to make it popular again like we saw with Bohemian Rhapsody in Wayne's World or more recently Master of Puppets in Stranger Things.

[@Gordigogo]

Same feeling in Vancouver

[@MetricJester]

I think it sounds even better now, I had a pretty crappy off-brand walkman back then.

[@breaka1]

im still here in 2024.....in the late 90s i was a bboy in mtl and i was on stage with fresh in quebec when he had second wind to his carrer with the these eyess track....and man that guy was nothing but nice showcased us bboy non stop gaves us non stop shout out on the mic gaves us individual time....did like 3 encores and stay after the show to party with fans(it was a festival type) at that time i was maybe 17 18 but i was listening to him since i was like 9 10 and it didnt disapointed...great meeting you wesley williams

[@jamelsinclaire4467]

Congrats maestro for making the Canadian songwriter hall of fame🍁 ⬇

[@bigrick3267]

Remember when this came out, was 12 living in Regent park, still one of my favorite beats ever.

[@nicetry1183]

mmmmmmmm wats da date.

[@expfcwintergreenv2.02]

Well deserved, this song alone shows masterful poetry

[@dannywilliams3764]

Don't forget about DJ KAOS

[@stevemack1244]

Awesome.

[@Dr_MKUltra]

Seriously this track needs millions of hits

[@mikecumberbatch2734]

That opening line birthed Canadian hip hop

[@mikeclarke952]

30 years today this hit the airways, still fresh. If you don't think so, you can kiss my sacroiliac.

[@africaRBG]

Nice lol

[@leftoverpoet]

What is that?

[@mikeclarke952]

@@leftoverpoet That's your hip bone, the big plate of a bone at your waist and it's in the song. 😘

[@leftoverpoet]

Mike Clarke lol yeah I knew it was in the song. I just wondered what it was.

[@nicetry1183]

No thanks. Amusing.

[@Maria-du4lk]

This song is legendary. I saw Maestro outside of the ROM in Toronto one day and he knew I recognized him and he smiled and nodded. A class act.

[@colleen31]

He lives in my city and I've never had the pleasure!!! 😔

[@bennystein7976]

The video was filmed just up around the corner from the ROM, but the church burned down in 1995. I passed the site the other day.

[@jackcastcrew]

I'm 54 and I remember seeing MFW in the subways rapping. The most underrated MC of his day. One of my faves.

[@TypeSly]

Dang this video is still hype today

[@rw5004]

Word

[@pwilliams9666]

35 years later, and I still love this song!!!🎵

[@CollectingCardboard]

This jam was *HUGE* in the NJ/NYC metro area in '89!! From the streets, radio, skating rinks, clubs, etc.! #Flashback & memories!!

[@InIversal]

This is facts. I remember seeing the video on THE BOX.

[@marcusleja7133]

Toronto taking it to NYC with credibility.

[@dmongru]

Hold on serious??? I never thought this track got much play down south

[@CS-OTT]

Respect 🙏

[@aubsta1]

@@dmongru It did! Let your backbone slide and Drop the needle were hits in NYC.

[@big_mike_nyc]

The bass beat, the snare, the lyrics and his style and delivery and the various samples are just INCREDIBLE! 🔥🔥🔥

[@somewhereupthere785]

I haven't heard this in 30 years AND I STILL KNOW THE LYRICS.

[@bucktaylor7300]

This songs holds the test of time.

[@ladybrnsugar]

this is a throwdown...a showdown.

[@ForefatherEnt]

The first time I heard this song in years, I was young when it came out....as an older person I realize this song was perfect in every way....Scratching, great slamming track, no singing on the hook, and just raw lyrics....Classic....Classic track...

[@jai1675]

The Godfather of Canada's HipHop

[@aaqilian5.085]

Regurgitated

[@cylon74]

One of thee most slept on Joints in history....CLASSIC

[@at7828]

I was in the 7th grade at Milne Valley Middle School in Toronto when Maestro dropped Symphony in Effect and boy did I ever kick it all through middle school and then high school (Vic Park High). Hell I still jam to it. Those were legendary times. I wish I could go back and relive those days over and over again. ...

[@SandiByrd]

Yep. I did the same in Donview ;) And at VP. He just earned a place in the Canadian Songwriters' Hall of Fame and I couldn't be happier for the guy :)

[@DreamDrift2024]

I feel you so hard ♥️🤩

[@jordanfraser4438]

Go Panthers!

[@at7828]

@@jordanfraser4438 good ole days. I played junior Football in the 10th grade in 1991 and snuck onto the team in the 11th grade with a few of my buddies. We were over the age limit for junior but too physically small for senior. Eventually they found out and we had to quit or join the senior. But boy did we have a blast at VP. Loved the teachers, my school mates and the overall vibe of the school. Legendary times those were.

[@jamesmcintoshjr]

fun fact, Maestro went to Senator O'Connor, right next to Vic Park until like grade 12.

[@expfcwintergreenv2.02]

Rhyme structure ahead of its time

[@animate5509]

Back in tha day Maestro was rapping like Rakim and Big Daddy Kane 89 he put T dot on tha map

[@craighumble6828]

I always loved the usage of Red and White in this video. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@StellerJayFilms]

When this hit the Canadian radio waves it blew up! Loved seeing him live at the commodore in Vancouver, great memories man!

[@DREAMERBELIEVERACHIVERS]

CAMPAIGN TO GET THIS 1 MILLION #DREAMERBELIEVERACHIEVERS #IAMWESTMOUNT #IAMMAESTROFRESHWES

[@aslofores236]

August 23, 1991 at the Ottawa Ex! He put on a great show! My 3 brothers and I used to dance to this track in the Living Room back in 1989! Such a unique song!

[@chelsea65030]

I remember this! We were all crazy about this song in school. Canadian talent. A classic song for many of us. :)

[@009radix]

Mad props to the Maestro! The 80s was a very good time for Canadian music regardless of style, more than enough talent to keep MuchMusic fresh and relevant.

[@deedk4083]

This song should have been a global hit. You should be able to walk into a bar in Japan or Australia and hear it playing On the radio. Perhaps it should be re-released for a second chance.

[@location2472]

Legend ... for me he was better then some US rappers of his time

[@Melanie-ve7bb]

This takes me back to living in Vancouver, B.C. at the age of 15. Me and my girls would sneak our way to a dance club called "The Paramount" so we could show case our moves! For me this will forever be me and the girls of HG Posse, working at McDonald's near Lougheed Mall and hoping on the bus after our shift so we could go and dance!

[@lillianadragon]

Congratulations on the Hall of Fame !!!

[@lightskameraakshon8109]

This is it. This is all that matters. The National Anthem Of Canada and A True Hip Hop Classic worldwide. Forever

[@rebelwithoutaclue9387]

First year of high school memories flooding in. Parachute pants British knights and Varner t-Shirts.

[@anthonyd4671]

STILL A BANGER!!

[@rxprxsxnt]

Tons of love and respect from Chile! We used to breakdance a lot with maestro Fresh Wes in the early 90s and still rockin with this master piece!

[@headcrashesdead]

Yoooooo! Welcome to my hometown of Saint John, you'll love it here!!

[@FaithFashionFinances]

this is a throwdown!

[@mikejank3769]

Timeless

[@russellleo5182]

This tape was worn out in the deck back in the day. What’s missing is the dance floor culture. We used to wear our silk button down shirts and dance man. Nobody was self conscious as long as you felt the break beat and rocked yo body. The birth of warehouse jams for me and house music all night long. Peace and love

[@jonathanhuerta7715]

now this song what I call it real old school hip hop

[@Kushhcandyy]

✨✨💥💥💥 Best example of Canadian hiphop culture 💯💥💙💙💙💙✨✨✨

[@MoosefromCanada]

Maestro Fresh Wes n Young MC ,..the ROXX in Barrie 1989…. Memories 💗

[@CanadaMath]

Scarborough, Ontario. 1989.

[@AlfaTrion]

STILL one of my fav hip hop tracks of ALL TIME

[@matthewpackard1184]

I'm really ticked off that there has been a massive delay in the KZbin Reaction community to discover another Canadian artist. The absolute control and unrelenting flow with that progressive beat. I was glued to Much Music in the 90s.

[@africaRBG]

This song is so 80s yet so timeless. His track 'stick to your vision' from 1999 was art as well.

[@philiptsarnas1120]

Indeed.

[@tdotjazzberryram61]

🇨🇦🤣😉2021 🇨🇦🇯🇲 Lady in Texas ✌🏾

[@pwilliams9666]

I remember this from back in the day. It brings back good memories!!!

[@joyos71]

My hubs chiropractic hockey team played this during practice in school in NorCal..... this song is pure GOLD and always my personal fav🥰 I practiced shooting hoops in the park to this music just after hs. Best memories ever!!!! thanks Maestro Fresh❤️❤️❤️

[@onelove132]

Love this tune never gets old!! Hoping he can make a come back!! He’s got fans lined up!!

[@gypsywoman9140]

How are there so few Likes and comments on this timeless classic?

[@jasonblackson6799]

for real, my 44 year old ass is grooving to this ish. I still got it! lol

[@pistolpete8231]

Canada gets no respect 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@paulv5260]

Wes going into hall of fame this weekend! Legend!

[@Bp79-or4kp]

Were you just watching the leafs game?

[@timrs2001]

The Maestro will be forever Fresh.

[@ChristIan-D78]

This is pure awesomeness! Congratulations on the hall of fame. I remember when this played on Much Music back in the day. I recorded it to VHS and wore that sucker out playing it back!! 😎

[@l.wadereimer615]

Gad darn right g

[@FilthyMcNasty27]

I danced on stage with him at an all ages club in Halifax in the late 90s. So much fun, it was so cool he invited people up with him

[@happygolucky7241]

Classic 💯 ❤️‍🔥 🇨🇦 🍁 🇬🇾

[@Mizzzzdidi]

Still my favorite song to this day and probably forever and ever 🔥🔥🔥

[@normanquenneville3703]

Making blocks from rocks from blocks. Genius..

[@repodesk]

I don't understand that line. Do you know what it means?

[@trentdabs5245]

@@repodesk it doesn't mean anything It just sounds good

[@jorgemansilla9043]

Classic Canadian hip hop.

[@dailygrindentertainment1402]

Sooo MANY MEMORIES!!! I lived 20mins W of Ottawa in a small town called arnprior wen this came out. I was 8! & ever since then its BEEN on! ADDICTED to HIPHOP

[@roberthillyardrhrh]

The year this cassette tape came out and mom decided to drive from Ontario to Newfoundland. I played swinging along as many times as I could a long with the rest of the album. Big album. I was going into grade 8. Good times.

[@chels5069]

Pioneer of Canadian HipHop!!

[@TheArtimusMaximus]

Blows my mind that most of the people in his video are at least in their 50's now. Great song!

[@akitaroy]

Congratulations Maestro for your induction into the hall of fame here in Canada! A long journey since your scribbling these lyrics at the mall

[@fabez83]

Canadian godfather of rap respect 👍👍👍👍

[@Migmaw]

Rakim made Maestro possible, Maestro the first Canadian MC to be taken seriously and accepted in the birthplace of hip-hop NYC. Michee Mee as well was the first Canadian female MC to rock NYC and she was close to MC Lyte. Anyone remember CKLN 88.1 ?? As a teen I dj'd at a couple of Hamilton clubs/dancehalls and was fortunate to open a live Radio show for CKLN at club Egypt with Ron Nelson and opened for Michee Mee and Snow and Maestro at roller world in Hamilton

[@SandraCat22]

Out of all the names you mentioned, I’ve only heard of Maestro Fresh Wes…

[@TheCodex808]

Another dance classic I danced to yes! It would move me all night yes!! Am2 here!!

[@TheCodex808]

Moving on the dancefloor all night long weekends at a club called Image back in the day...

[@TheCodex808]

Texas here!!

[@TheCodex808]

We were moving all night!!

[@ScotianQueenBee]

Up there with rappers delight 🔥🤛🏽🏆 classic

[@sillieww]

Those good old days, I miss it.

[@tomrichard1749]

now he has a radio station in my hometown on Friday nights

[@lespurcell237]

Crazy how music like a time machine. Took me back to orange head phones. Thank you sir!!!

[@pharoah1200]

Still hot in 2020 😼

[@richardkean1559]

-This song just hits the right amount of nostalgia. Man we got lucky and got to experience the music in this generation

[@7777VANITY]

Top Track when I was in Grade 4/5 in Toronto, CANADA 🇨🇦 👌🏻 I'm old AF Boii... lol 😂

[@sveebains]

I met Maestro 30 years on set and admire that his music is still widely appreciated and still makes you move. He's highly skilled and a nice person

[@joshuab1979]

The Song is still awesome and timeless. It should have millions of hits and views. I remember hearing it 89 it put Toronto Canada on top of the world.

[@sterlingarcher241]

I was a 40 year old white guy singing along in a casino pit years ago. To the amazement of all, didn’t miss a word even the third verse that never gets played.

[@papalosopher]

When and where is the third verse not played? Are you telling me there are people out there who never heard it? We must find them… and show them.

[@sterlingarcher241]

CFTR 680 in Toronto used to edit it out.

[@papalosopher]

@@sterlingarcher241 CFRB?

[@sterlingarcher241]

No, that’s 1010. CFTR is still the call letters for what is now 680 News. 680 was once where pop music lived in Toronto.

[@papalosopher]

@@sterlingarcher241 Wow 680 used to play music? Cool

[@jacquidavis]

Bow to your Maestro, Drake.

[@youtubehandlescostmemyusername]

Born in '83 Mom got a free cable package for a month in 1990 Saw this video and was hooked on raps. Lead me to NBN and Treach. Quik and Free got me through the dark ages.

[@TheSlickidiot]

Love this guy since I was a kid and now I get to see him at the Halifax Jazz festival. Cheers Maestro see you Saturday

[@MisterQG71]

Classic 👑👑👑🐐🐐🐐

[@ReactionBandit87]

Still here in 2024👇🏼

[@natpaul4965]

*here?

[@ReactionBandit87]

@@natpaul4965 yes that's it

[@cosmosmith8362]

Rippin track

[@franksirois9075]

Welcome to New Brunswick Mr. Maestro!! after 25-30 years still can t sing this song!

[@steveespinola7652]

Still a classic. 😎

[@mdmufajjulhushenfahim6899]

Wayne Dreadskis love for Canada is evident in every note, and we love him right back! 🎶❤️ #WayneDreadski #CanadianFans

[@daishawnellerbe5622]

Even though MTV and BET did play this video in the 90s it's a shame Maestro Fresh Wes couldn't cross over and have success in the United States where I'm from. I have to give him credit for being the first rapper from Canada to make it big.

[@rowauthority]

Still one of the all time best

[@rexsexson5349]

I was 12 when this came out. Thanks jroc from tpb's for making this known to me. Classic!

[@daviddaponte2228]

Top 5 Canadian rap song!

[@doggwithdabutter5552]

My dad and this guy are about to get interviewed together, I’m hyped!

[@southlondon86]

Howd it go?

[@esehn6972]

"So many suckas on my sacroiliac".....luv that line!

[@rotax2.090]

Wayne Dreadskis international stardom resonates with Canadian fans. 🌎🇨🇦 #WayneDreadski #GlobalLove

[@fkgameslive9700]

🇨🇦 Canadians wholeheartedly embrace Wayne Dreadskis music. #CanadianSupport #WayneDreadskiLove

[@NinoMorales772]

I'm here enjoy the show true legends nver die....

[@WuntaykTimmy1]

Heard this on the radio. Fire

[@lunamaria1048]

He has recently been added to Canadian songwriters hall of fame !