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Tony Young (born 1961), professionally known as Master T, is a Canadian television and radio personality and urban music promoter. He was born in Leeds, England, and moved to Canada with his Jamaican family in 1974.[1][2]

Key Information

Early life and education

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He was raised in Kitchener, Ontario, where he attended Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School and met his future wife.[1] He later studied television broadcasting at Mohawk College in Hamilton.

Career at MuchMusic

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He found work as a camera operator at MuchMusic before he and his wife created the Black Music program, X-Tendamix (later "Da Mix").[1] As a VJ for MuchMusic, Young (as "Master T") continued to host various programs, including Rap City, from 1990 to 2001. When he left MuchMusic, his on-air farewell party featured an exclusive live performance by Lauryn Hill.

During his time with Much, Master T was the primary promoter of the channel's Much DanceMix series of compilation CDs, and received a Diamond plaque for over one million in sales.[1]

Post-MuchMusic career

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Since leaving MuchMusic, he has produced and promoted his own Master T's series of hip hop and reggae compilations.

In 2014, he publicly called for the "Much" television channel to return to the hands of Moses Znaimer.[3] Young has also hosted the syndicated radio program Wall of Sound, produced by CIDC-FM.

As of 2017, Young has been hosting the online interview and performance series RX Music LIVE, featuring past guests such as Wyclef Jean, Kardinal Offishall, Vance Joy and more. [4]

Awards

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Young has been awarded a Toronto Bob Marley award, a Ghanaian Community Award, and a Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction award.[5]

Bibliography

[edit]

References

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[edit]
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Master T

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Tony "Master T" Young (born 1961) is a Canadian television and , (VJ), and urban music promoter renowned for his pioneering role in introducing and popularizing hip-hop, , and other Black music genres to mainstream Canadian audiences. Born in , , to Jamaican immigrant parents, Young moved to , at age 13 in 1974 amid rising in the UK, where he initially struggled with cultural adjustment but excelled in soccer, earning a tryout with Leeds United's junior team. After studying television broadcasting at in Hamilton, he entered the media industry as a at MuchMusic in 1984, rising to become a full-time VJ in 1990 and hosting influential programs like and X-Tendamix (later rebranded as Da Mix), which ran for 11 years and featured exclusive interviews with artists such as , , , and Shaggy. Young's tenure at MuchMusic, spanning nearly two decades until his departure in , marked a significant shift in Canadian by amplifying underrepresented urban music and voices, including creating Canada's first hip-hop video program, The MuchMusic Groove, in 1987 and producing the blockbuster MuchDanceMix CD series, which sold over one million copies and earned a diamond certification. His on-air style blended humor, cultural insight, and advocacy, helping to foster the growth of Canadian hip-hop artists like those who later influenced global stars such as Drake and , while challenging the industry's initial resistance to the genre. Beyond television, Young hosted radio shows like on , conducted online interviews via RX Music Live, and co-authored the Much Master T: One VJ's Journey, chronicling his path from immigrant youth to media icon. In recognition of his contributions, Young has received awards including the Ghanaian Community Award, the Bob Marley Award, and Mohawk College's Alumni of Distinction in 1998; as of 2023, he continues producing content through his company Esor Productions with his wife, while reflecting on hip-hop's 50-year evolution in through documentaries like CBC's Black Life: Untold Stories.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Tony Young, professionally known as Master T, was born in 1961 in , , to Jamaican parents who were part of the Windrush generation of immigrants arriving from the in the post-World War II era. His family endured significant in , including discriminatory housing practices symbolized by signs reading "No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs." In 1974, at the age of 13, Young immigrated to with his mother and older brother Basil, settling in , where extended family members already resided. The relocation was driven by his mother's determination to escape the pervasive bigotry faced by Black families in , though Young himself was initially upset about leaving behind opportunities, such as a soccer tryout with Leeds United juniors. Young's Jamaican heritage profoundly shaped his early years, providing exposure to and urban music genres rooted in traditions. This familial influence ignited his passion for music during childhood, which continued despite the challenges of cultural adjustment and limited Black community presence in the area. In , he was encouraged by his English teacher, Mr. Armstrong, to participate in school plays and skits, helping him build confidence in performing.

Education

Master T, born Tony Young, completed his secondary education at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School in , following his family's relocation to in 1974. He then enrolled in the Television Broadcasting program at in , where he developed foundational skills for a career in media. The curriculum provided hands-on training in broadcast production techniques and on-air presentation. Young graduated from the program in 1983, gaining the practical expertise and credentials that directly facilitated his entry into entry-level media roles.

Career

Roles at MuchMusic

Master T began his career at MuchMusic in 1984 as a camera operator, leveraging his education in television broadcasting from in . In this initial role, he handled operational duties such as shooting interviews for programs like the Power Hour, providing behind-the-scenes support for the network's live broadcasts and video content. Over time, Master T progressed to on-air positions as a (VJ) and host, transitioning from technical operations to prominent hosting responsibilities at the Toronto-based music channel. During the , he hosted and produced the hip-hop-focused program , a weekly show that featured artist interviews, music video premieres, and coverage of emerging urban music trends. During the early 1990s, Master T co-created the dance and Black music series X-Tendamix (later rebranded as Da Mix) alongside his wife, serving as both and host for the program that aired on MuchMusic from 1990 to 2001. This role highlighted his contributions to on-air programming, blending hosting with creative development to spotlight R&B, hip-hop, and videos in a high-energy format.

Contributions to music programming

In 1987, he created and hosted The MuchMusic Groove, Canada's first hip-hop video program. Master T played a pivotal role in advancing urban music programming at MuchMusic during the by creating and hosting dedicated segments that highlighted hip-hop and , thereby elevating the visibility of both Canadian and international artists in these genres. He co-created and hosted X-Tendamix (later renamed Da Mix), which aired from 1990 to 2001 and focused on hip-hop, R&B, , , and alternative music, marking one of the first Canadian television programs centered on Black music. This show served as a vital platform for promoting homegrown urban talent and connecting audiences to global trends, fostering greater exposure for emerging acts within Canada's urban music scene. As the primary promoter and on-air face of MuchMusic's Dance Mix compilation CD series, Master T helped drive its commercial success, culminating in over one million units sold and earning a plaque award in the . These annual releases captured the era's dance and urban hits, reinforcing MuchMusic's role in popularizing and urban genres through accessible, high-energy compilations that bridged television programming with . Through his production and hosting of , Master T organized key events such as live performances and artist spotlights that boosted emerging talents, including an exclusive on-air farewell performance by in 2001. These initiatives diversified MuchMusic's overall playlist by prioritizing Black and urban content, shifting the channel's focus toward hip-hop and amid the 1990s urban music boom and providing unprecedented airtime for underrepresented Canadian artists alongside international stars.

Post-MuchMusic radio and promotions

After departing from MuchMusic in 2001 following a nearly 17-year tenure, where his experience as a VJ honed his skills in urban music presentation, Master T transitioned to independent ventures in radio and music promotion. His farewell broadcast featured an exclusive live performance by , marking the end of his network television era. In the early 2000s, Master T launched a series of hip-hop and compilation albums under his personal brand, focusing on emerging and established urban sounds to support Canadian and international artists. Notable releases included Master T's Reggae Vibes Session One (2002), which showcased tracks from artists like ("Deport Dem") and ("Party Hard"), blending rhythms with hip-hop influences to promote crossover appeal in the North American market. These compilations, produced independently, helped amplify underrepresented urban genres during a period when commercial radio often sidelined them. From the mid-2000s, Master T hosted the syndicated radio program on Toronto's (Z103.5), a hits station. The show emphasized hip-hop, , and R&B, providing a platform for both mainstream hits and independent tracks, drawing on his MuchMusic expertise to curate engaging segments that connected with diverse listeners. Broadcast across multiple markets, ran for several years, contributing to the visibility of Canadian urban talent. Throughout the and , Master T engaged in independent promotion of urban through his company, Esor Productions, co-founded with his wife Paula Young. This included organizing events and providing promotional support for emerging talents, as well as management services to facilitate recordings and tours. A key project was the 2004 production of Jamaican Sean Paul's first documentary-style DVD, which documented his rise and was distributed worldwide, enhancing Paul's global profile during his breakthrough period. These efforts underscored Master T's role in bridging promotional gaps for Black and musicians in .

Recent media ventures

In 2017, Master T launched RX Music LIVE, an online concert series featuring interviews and live performances by international and Canadian artists, including and hip-hop performers such as Boogát and . The series marked a shift from his earlier radio hosting to digital formats, adapting to streaming platforms for broader accessibility. Master T continued his influence through high-profile keynotes and panels in 2023. At Canadian Music Week, he hosted a with , discussing and hip-hop's role in , ahead of Offishall receiving the event's Social Justice Award. Later that year, during Indie Week's celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, Master T conducted a one-on-one discussion with , exploring the history and evolution of Canadian hip-hop. In November 2023, Master T appeared in a CBC Toronto interview, reflecting on the origins of Canadian hip-hop in Toronto's immigrant communities and its growth despite early industry barriers. He received further recognition in 2024 for his contributions to the expansion of Black music in , highlighted in coverage of his career as a promoter and on-air pioneer who amplified underrepresented voices. Through the RX Music platform, Master T has sustained promotions of urban music, including virtual events and live streams.

Recognition and legacy

Awards and honors

Master T has received several accolades recognizing his contributions to urban music promotion and broadcasting in . He was awarded the Toronto Bob Marley Award for his efforts in promoting and urban music genres, highlighting his role in amplifying artists on platforms like MuchMusic. Master T earned the Ghanaian Community Award, which honored his cultural impact on Black communities in through programming such as Da Mix (formerly X-Tendamix), a pioneering show for hip-hop and R&B that he created and hosted. In 1998, he was named a Alumni of Distinction, an honor that celebrated his distinguished broadcasting career following his graduation from the college's Television Broadcasting program in 1983, where his work as a VJ and programmer at MuchMusic exemplified outstanding professional achievement and community involvement. Additionally, Master T received a Diamond plaque for surpassing one million sales of the MuchDanceMix compilation CD series, an award tied to his promotional efforts at MuchMusic but presented personally in recognition of his influence on Canadian dance music trends.

Impact on Canadian urban music

Master T's pioneering efforts in the 1990s at MuchMusic significantly elevated Canadian hip-hop on national television, providing crucial exposure through programs like Rap City and Da Mix, which he hosted for over a decade and which became among the network's highest-rated shows. By prioritizing urban genres overlooked by mainstream radio, these initiatives helped transition hip-hop from underground scenes to broader cultural acceptance, directly paving the way for emerging artists such as Kardinal Offishall, who blended Caribbean influences into Canadian rap styles showcased on the platform. This visibility was instrumental in fostering a distinct national hip-hop identity amid the genre's slow evolution in the country during the 1980s and 1990s. Throughout his career, Master T actively promoted and immigrant artists, addressing their chronic underrepresentation in Canadian media from the 1990s into the 2020s by featuring talents from diverse backgrounds on his shows and producing early content like the 1987 hip-hop video The MuchMusic Groove. As an immigrant himself with Jamaican roots, he amplified voices like those of Kevin Pugh and Atlee Mahorn, contributing to the growth of Black music nationwide and inspiring subsequent generations of broadcasters and performers. His work challenged barriers in an industry historically dominated by majority perspectives, helping to popularize genres like R&B, , and alongside hip-hop. Reflections in 2023 and media, including CBC interviews, have credited Master T as a foundational figure in modern Canadian hip-hop culture, particularly during the genre's 50th anniversary celebrations, where he emphasized its evolution from street origins to a thriving business while noting ongoing challenges for women in rap. Overall, his legacy lies in fostering diversity across music programming and events spanning the to 2025, as evidenced by his under industry leaders and honors like the Reel Black Award for Most Outstanding TV Host in 2000. This sustained influence has democratized access for underrepresented artists, shaping a more inclusive urban music landscape in .

Publications

Authored works

Master T, whose real name is Tony Young, co-authored the memoir Much Master T: One VJ's Journey with Dalton Higgins, published by in 2002. The book serves as a part-retrospective, part-autobiographical account of his career as a MuchMusic (VJ), beginning with his arrival in from and his rise to prominence in urban music programming since 1984. It draws directly from his experiences hosting and other shows, providing insights into the growth of urban music in and his distinctive interviewing approach with artists. The memoir highlights personal anecdotes from behind-the-scenes moments at MuchMusic, including interviews with high-profile figures such as shortly before his death, an encounter with Spice Girls member Scary Spice, and a performance by . These stories illustrate the challenges and excitement of promoting urban music on Canadian television, with discussions on diversity in media and unconventional political coverage during his tenure. Young's narrative reflects on his full-time role starting in 1990, emphasizing interactions with celebrities like Shaggy, , and the that shaped his influence in the industry. Through these reflections, the book offers a broader perspective on urban pop culture icons and the evolution of programming, grounded in Young's foundational career at MuchMusic. No other major authored works by Master T, such as forewords or standalone articles in music publications directly tied to this , have been documented in primary sources.

References

  1. https://thecbma.com/artists/master-t/
  2. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/master-t-canadian-hip-hop-1.7022862
  3. https://www.ronfanfair.com/home/2024/1/10/gbc2qbttvv8w3x99tnu5ebf5p946xe
  4. https://books.google.com/books/about/Much_Master_T.html?id=gt9MA-eKrNYC
  5. https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/alumni/alumni-of-distinction/1998/tony-young
  6. https://harthouse.ca/profile/master-t
  7. https://harthouse.ca/profile/master-t/
  8. https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/programs/creative-industries/broadcasting-television-and-communications-media-651
  9. https://retrontario.com/2015/05/20/that-time-when-master-t-gave-muchmusic-its-groove-2/
  10. https://ago.ca/events/remembering-rapcity-legacy-canadian-hip-hop-television
  11. https://www.cbc.ca/music/master-t-5-songs-that-changed-my-life-1.7037898
  12. https://www.sharenews.com/master-t-looks-back-at-a-lifetime-in-entertainment/
  13. https://www.tv-eh.com/2012/07/11/tv-eh-rewind-da-mix/
  14. https://www.complex.com/music/a/josephine-cruz/history-of-rnb-canada
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/11719331-Various-Master-Ts-Reggae-Vibes-Session-One
  16. https://hiphopcanada.com/rx-music-live-boogat/
  17. https://hiphopcanada.com/rx-music-live-patrik/
  18. https://www.recordworldinternational.com/2023/06/16/kardinal-offishall-receives-social-justice-award-at-canadian-music-week/
  19. https://torontobizsummit.ca/team/master-t-2/
  20. https://amplify.nmc.ca/50-years-of-hip-hop-master-t-on-canadas-rap-pioneers/
  21. https://ecwpress.com/products/much-master-t
  22. https://www.amazon.com/Much-Master-One-VJ%25C2%2592s-Journey/dp/1550225413
  23. https://49thshelf.com/Books/M/Much-Master-T
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