Canadian legend Maestro Fresh Wes is celebrating his 30th anniversary with the release of a new book geared at children, and an extension of his Stick to Your Vision brand.
Written by Wes and Rhodora Meliton-Vanderpool, and illustrated by Leon “Eklipz” Robinson, Stick To Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School is the story of a young boy and his memories of going to school in Toronto.
“The story of a young boy and his memories of going to school in Toronto. Follow a young Maestro Fresh Wes as he finds new adventures in school and is introduced to the world of hip-hop. Wes competes in the school’s writing contest against ‘Julia the Great’ and ‘Hakeem the Dream’. Nervous but ready to compete, Wes draws inspiration from his family, his teachers, his friend and mentor DJ Greg and all that he has learned from hip-hop. He finds the power of writing and uses his voice to capture the reader. Get ready for a hip-hop journey!”
The original Stick to Your Vision was released on August 3, 2010, and featured a foreword by Chuck D of Public Enemy. This time around, Stick To Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School features a foreword by Toronto legend Kardinal Offishall.
“Everyone who reads this book, young or young at heart, will benefit tremendously in so many ways,” said Kardinal.
“Another incredible contribution from the one and only Maestro.”
The title “Stick To Your Vision” is also the name of the first single off Maestro’s fifth studio album, Built to Last, which dropped in 1998. The 2Rude-produced record–which features a sample of “These Eyes” by The Guess Who–became Maestro’s first song to appear on Canadian charts since “Conductin’ Thangs” in 1991.
“‘Stick To Your Vision’ and ‘416/905’ were legendary moments in my life, not to mention this man’s career,” said Drake at the time of the first book’s release in 2010.
“Those two songs let me know that it was possible to make a city so far removed feel like it was a part of it all. Now every song and move I make I think about my people back home and how proud I am of them and they are of me. I owe a part of my confidence as a rapper to Maestro.”
Stick To Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School is available now for pre-order via the book’s official website, YoungMaestro.ca. Make sure you check soon to take advantage of the Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Special. That includes one of 500 signed copies of the book, and an invitation to the online book party.
