UPDATED: It's time to buckle down on COVID compliance so Conway The Machine can play Halifax in 2022

UPDATE: Due to the omicron variant of COVID-19, the organizers of Conway The Machine’s tour have postponed the Halifax gig to May 2022. Keep your fingers crossed and keep wearing a mask!

He’s had features from 2 Chainz, Ludacris and Method Man. He signed to Eminem’s Shady Records after launching his own label, creating a new scene in Buffalo with the likes of Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher and 7xvethegenius. He counts Jay-Z and Kanye West among his fans—and has set the impressive goal of reviving the mafioso stylings of OG New York MCs like Notorious B.I.G. and Raekwon.

His name is Conway The Machine, a rapper so hot he’s earned a glowing 7.5 review from Pitchfork. And, Hopscotch Halifax is bringing him to The Marquee next month for an off-season showcase. This is, I cannot stress enough, a Very Big Deal. The gig—happening February 22—is the sort of event our small city only manages to get a handful of annually, the type of on-the-come-up show that COVID has made even rarer.

If pandemic fatigue has you desperate for something to look forward to—or if you need a reminder why it’s worth it to keep complying with COVID guidelines—please, please let this Nice Thing be it.