Method Man & Redman to Headline at Toronto's Festival of Beer This July

The iconic hip-hop duo and founding members of rap super groups Wu-Tang Clan and Def Squad, Method Man & Redman will make their long awaited return to Toronto this summer at Toronto's Festival of Beer presented by the Beer Store, with a supporting performance by Canadian hip-hop pioneer Saukrates.

On Friday, July 28th, both Method Man and Redman otherwise known as Funk Doctor Spock and Johnny Blaze will headline the Bandshell Stage, Exhibition Place, with Saukrates on the opening night of the legendary summer beer festival. The opening night performances are presented by 93.5 The Move.

"What an iconic lineup of hip-hop heavyweights opening Toronto's Festival of Beer, 2017!" said Les Murray, President of Toronto's Festival of Beer, " It's been so long since Method Man, Redman, and Saukrates have played in Toronto. This is going to be epic!"

Method Man and Redman last performed in Toronto in June, 2013. Fans will get the chance to relive the nostalgic sounds of RockWilder to close out the opening night of the event. Additionally, Saukrates who is a fellow member of Gilla House collective with Redman will make his return to the stage since his tour in 2015.

Method Man, Redman, and Saukrates are the latest additions to the 2017 edition of Toronto's Festival of Beer and will share the Bandshell Stage during the weekend of July 28 to 30 with the likes of Canadian rockers Sloan, East-Cost coast folk rocker Alan Doyle & The Beautiful Gypsies, along with country music acts David James, Eric Ethridge, and Dani Strong. The remaining supporting acts for the festival will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for Toronto's Festival of Beer presented by the Beer Store are going fast so consumers are encouraged to buy early. Currently, Hoptimized and VIP tickets are sold out for Saturday(July 29), with very few General Admission tickets left for that day. Tickets can be purchased online at www.beerfestival.ca. Toronto's Festival of Beer presented by the Beer Store is a 19+ event.

Toronto's Festival of Beer (TFOB) presented by the Beer Store is a celebration of Canada's rich brewing history, showcasing experts of the brewing craft from around the world. Featuring more than 300 brands, amazing entertainment, and summer fun, TFOB takes place July 28-30, 2017 at Bandshell Park in Exhibition Place. This is a 19+ event.

Method Man & Redman (A.K.A Red & Mef, Mef & Red, Mr. Mef and Funk Doc or Funk Doc and Johnny Blaze), are a hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Method Man (of Wu-Tang Clan) and Redman (of Def Squad). They are signed to Def Jam Recordings as the duo as well as solo artists. While they had been collaborating since 1994, it was not until 1999 that they released a full-length collaborative effort, Blackout!. The follow-up album, Blackout! 2, was released in 2009.

Method Man often gives a shout out to Redman on tracks that do not feature Redman; this usually comes in the form of "What up, Doc!" referring to Redman's alias "Funk Doctor Spock". In 2001, they both stared together in the comedy/stoner movie titled "How High". The duo have both said a sequel will be released in late 2017.

The duo have known each other long before signing with Def Jam. While at Def Jam, they reunited in 1994 on tour and met again in 1995 in the recording studio of the late Tupac Shakur. They recorded "Got My Mind Made Up" for Shakur's multi-platinum album "All Eyez On Me". After this they had friendly battles freestyling with each other on Yo! MTV Raps! which ultimately led to their collaborative debut single How High In 1999, the two rappers appeared together on "Rap Phenomenon" along side with The Notorious B.I.G on his posthumous album "Born Again"

On May 7, 2009, in promotion for their second studio album, Method Man & Redman released a mixtape titled Lights Out, which was hosted by DJ Green Latern. In 2013, Method Man and Redman previewed a new track called "Lookin' Fly Too" featuring Ehikmostz. They continue to record together with both eyeing careers beyond DefJam.

In 2014, Method Man put out his 5th studio album titled Meth Lab. His next studio album called Crystal Meth is scheduled to drop in 2017. Redman put out the "Muddy Waters 2 Mixtape" in 2013, and then in 2015 his album Mudface.

Saukrates is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer. He is the co-founder of Capitol Hill Music, and lead singer of the hip-hop/R&B group Big Black Lincoln. He is also a member of Redman's Gilla House collective.

Saukrates arrived on the hip-hop scene of the early-nineties, a post-native tongues rapper and producer who pioneered the Canadian hip-hop scene. He has been awarded multiple Juno nominations for Best Rap Recording and through his career has collaborated with the likes of Drake, Nelly Furtado, Nas, Common, Redman, and Xzibit to name a few.

A fixture in the top-tiers of the Canadian hip-hop scene, he is present as a rapper, singer or producer on almost every Canadian major label hip-hop release over the past 20 years. Providing the likes of K-os, Swollen Members, Jully Black, Rascalz, Kardinal Offishal, and Choclair with his unique style of production that has become synonymous with the Torontonian hip-hop sound. Recently he has maintained his prevalance working with the best of the new breed of Canadian rappers such as: Classified, Shad, Tre Mission, SonReal, and OB O'Brien.

In 2015, Saukrates released his 4th release Amani; a 4-trak EP featuring co-production by Rich Kidd and Snaz, and guest appearances by Son Real. The release of Amani was a defining moment in Saukrates' career as he wiped the slate clean to begin a new chapter. A chapter in which Saukrates became more introspective, experimental and fervent in his approach to music.