Master T’s Lifelong Mic Check for the Community

From MuchMusic trailblazer to community curator, Tony Young continues to amplify Black voices across Canada.

by Adriel Smiley

Published on February 6, 2026

For more than four decades, Tony Young — better known as Master T — has been a familiar and trusted presence in Canadian media. As one of the first prominent Black voices on national television, he became a cultural touchstone after premiering on his own show X-Tendamix in 1990. He later joined Rap City, which was originally hosted by Michael Williams and produced by Michelle Geister.

As a kid growing up in the UK, he wanted to be a professional soccer player. Football was life. That path shifted after his family moved to Kitchener, Ontario, where new opportunities — and a new sense of purpose — began to take shape.

Young’s broadcasting journey started at Omni Television (now Rogers TV), working on a news magazine program called Black World. It was there he first stepped in front of the camera and experienced the thrill of connecting with an audience.

“You knew the community watched it. Because when I started to do stories, I’d go back to Kitchener where I went to high school, public school, and people were like, ‘Hey, I just saw you on TV!’ And it was a little bit of celebrity status at the time.”

His brother, who worked at Citytv, later tipped him off about an opening at MuchMusic. Young started behind the scenes operating a videotape recorder at a network that was still in its infancy — not yet the cultural institution it would become.

Then came a moment of playful creativity that would change everything. While working with camera operator Gorman Waters, the two created a tongue-in-cheek rap called The MuchMusic Group.

“Between the two of us, I don’t know who came up with it, but I think I did. But I said, ‘Hey, let’s do a rap.’ We did this kind of cheesy rap of me walking around, really stereotyping our people with a ghetto blaster on my shoulder, walking around MuchMusic and talking about the different things about MuchMusic.”

The rap turned into a full music video and quickly became a staple on-air. Originally, his wife also appeared in the video, but her part was cut because only employees were allowed to be featured.

“The video went, what now would be called viral, but the video was played like crazy on MuchMusic,” said Master T. “It was because it promoted everything that the network had at that time — all the different shows, all the different VJs, the sales department, everything. It showed people what Much was all about.”

From there, Master T became one of the network’s most recognizable VJs, interviewing icons like Madonna, Snoop Dogg, and Lauryn Hill. He also played a key role in introducing Canadian audiences to reggae stars including Beenie Man, Sean Paul, and Shaggy.

By the mid-’90s, his popularity had reached new heights — and with it came a deepened sense of responsibility. While his role at MuchMusic focused on entertainment, Young began thinking about how he could use his platform for more direct community impact.

That reflection led to The Real Deal, a youth-focused talk show tackling difficult topics like drugs, sex, and crime. The program created space for honest conversations that many families were struggling to have.

“For parents, it kind of opened up their eyes as to the conversations sometimes they never want to really have with their kids about sex or about drugs, or about crime or whatever it was.”

Whether spotlighting the arts or addressing serious social issues, Master T has consistently used his voice to uplift others and showcase emerging talent.

For the past three years, Young has worked with Calgary’s National Music Centre (NMC) as a curator and host. He led their 2023 celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and helped helm The Andy Kim Christmas concert.

This month, he returns on Feb. 7 to curate a celebration at NMC marking 30 years of Black History Month. The event features the eight-piece neo-soul and hip-hop collective (un)decided and singer Peace Etaje, winner of the NMC’s 2025 Black Music Month Talent Expo. It takes place in Calgary — a city with a rapidly growing Black arts scene.

“This is me bringing a Black voice. I don’t live in Calgary, but I make sure I respect and honour what is there from the Black community. I want to make sure of that.”

The celebration includes a fashion show, live performances, and a Black History Month market, with a focus on representing Black creatives while inviting broader audiences into the experience.

Looking back on his career, Master T sees a through line that connects it all: community. “What I love is the fact that you’re exposing this to the Black community, but the idea is to expose it to all communities.”