Shaggy and Lupe Fiasco Ignite CNE Buzz

By Stephen Weir

Probably only Shaggy fans give a damn, but the countdown for the start of the annual Canadian National Exhibition is already ticking. According to the website, the clock now stands at 108 days to the kickoff of the big summer fair down at Exhibition Place.

Who cares? Probably the crowd who, back in May, already bought VIP tickets to see the free Shaggy concert on Sunday, August 23, at the outdoor Bandshell. The front-row VIP add-on section is sold out at the Bell Soundstage (as the Bandshell is called these days). Don’t want to pay in the spring for the summer show? The Shaggy performance is free with admission to the 2026 CNE.

Shaggy, born Orville Richard Burrell in Kingston, Jamaica, rose to fame with his pioneering hit “Oh Carolina” in 1993 and later with smashes such as “Boombastic” (1995), “In the Summertime” (1995), and the iconic “It Wasn’t Me” in 2000.

Shaggy’s recent projects include his Grammy-winning album with Sting, 44/876 (2018), the global dance hall hit “Go Down Deh” with Spice, and Hot Shot 2020. His single “Banana” (2020) with Conkarah, which he produced and co-wrote, generated over 2 billion digital streams through the viral #BananaDrop challenge. According to CNE promoters, “Shaggy has sold more than 40 million album units to date. He is the top-selling living Jamaican artist of all time.” Feel the rhythm with Shaggy at the Bell Soundstage at the Bandshell on Sunday, August 23.

The CNE has also announced another evening performance that has already caught the attention of ticket-buying hip-hop fans. On August 21, Lupe Fiasco will perform at the Bell Soundstage at the Bandshell. The front-row VIP section for this free concert is already sold out.

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, better known as Lupe Fiasco, is a Chicago-born, Grammy-winning American rapper. Lupe emerged in 2006 with his critically acclaimed debut album Food & Liquor and quickly established himself as one of hip-hop’s most distinctive voices.

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