Via HHC. Visuals courtesy of SFA:

Toronto, ON – The talent inside Embassy Night Club was truly a sight. Many of Toronto’s brightest creative minds slapped hands and tipped their bartenders in celebration of Boi-1da’s birthday. The atmosphere reeked of camaraderie as 1da’s long list of hits, a few of which have dominated this past year, rang through the speakers over and over again. “Last name ever, first name greatest” sent a pulse through the room as “Forever,” arguably 1da’s biggest placement, put its mark on the party of the same name.

And with such an accomplished year, 1da’s birthday not only meant a celebration of his success, but also almost a reunion of his class of Toronto’s urban music industry. Richie Sosa made an entrance with the biggest walk for a small man since Yosemite Sam. Northern Profit, Soundsmith, J Staffz and Beat Juggernaut added to the potent producer power in the building. DJ Swiss, Sunny Diamond, Fire Kid Steenie, Future Da Prince, T-ReXx, paid tribute with their influence and crowd command. For a relatively young urban music scene, the class of artists that are shaping the sounds coming out of this city is really scary. And sometimes it takes events like this for even someone like me to take count of just how many headliners and game changers are working Toronto on any given night.

“Forever” seemed a fitting title in its lack of finality. Because last night marked a moment in time that optimistically suggests this won’t be the last year the people we party with prove their music is some of the best to party to.