Duane “D.O.” Gibson Announces “Songs of Freedom” School Tour

Duane “D.O.” Gibson, a two-time Guinness World Record-setting rapper, will kick off his annual Black Canadian history “Songs of Freedom” school tour on January 8th. The tour will culminate in a virtual event on February 13th, expected to draw an audience of over 50,000 students nationwide.

In conjunction with the tour, Gibson will release the Songs of Freedom EP on February 9th, produced by Beatchild (Drake, Glenn Lewis, Gary Beals) and Saukrates (Nelly Furtado, Nas, Kardinal Offishall). It will feature the Bob Marley-inspired “Redemption Song” with multiple-time JUNO nominee Ammoye. During the virtual event, Gibson will delve into the Nova Scotian connection that inspired this iconic Bob Marley song.

Also announced is the return of his third annual virtual Black 365 Conference on February 13th in support of Black History Month. The conference is expected to draw audiences from school classrooms across Canada, where Gibson will rap, motivate, and speak to the contributions of Black Canadians throughout history. A highlight of the conference will be Gibson’s exploration of the rich history of Birchtown in Nova Scotia, where the community embarked on a journey to Sierra Leone, Africa.

Gibson comments:

“One of my favorite aspects of discussing Black History is uncovering stories that many Canadians may not be familiar with. When I learned that the lyric ’emancipate yourself from mental slavery’ was first spoken at a hall beside where my great-grandfather founded a church in Sydney, Nova Scotia, it blew my mind. The story of Blacks from Nova Scotia migrating to Africa and forming a lasting community is mind-blowing. I can’t wait to share these stories with youth across the country.”

In 2024, Gibson is set for another breakthrough year. In May, he will travel to South Africa to perform at the Africa Music Rising conference.

“Songs of Freedom” School Tour Dates:

1/8/2024 – Surrey, BC – Laronde Elementary – 9:00 AM
1/10/2024 – Grand Forks, BC – Dr D A Perley Elementary – 9:00 AM
1/10/2024 – Grand Forks, BC – John A. Hutton Elementary – 11:00 AM
1/10/2024 – Rock Creek, BC – West Boundary Elementary – 2:00 PM
1/11/2024 – Midway, BC – Boundary Central Secondary – 9:00 AM
1/11/2024 – Grand Forks, BC – Grand Forks Secondary – 11:30 AM
1/12/2024 – Kamloops, BC – Arthur Stevenson Elementary – 9:00 AM
1/12/2024 – Kamloops, BC – South Sa-Hali Elementary – 11:00 AM
1/12/2024 – Kamloops, BC – Robert L Clemitson Elementary – 1:30 PM
1/15/2024 – Nanaimo, BC – Randerson Ridge Elementary – 1:00 PM
1/16/2024 – Courtenay, BC – Georges P Vanier Secondary – 9:30 AM
1/16/2024 – Comox, BC – Aspen Park Elementary – 1:00 PM
1/17/2024 – Victoria, BC – Royal Oak Middle School – 8:45 AM
1/17/2024 – North Saanich, BC – North Saanich Middle School – 10:45 AM
1/17/2024 – Sooke, BC – Ecole Poirier Elementary – 1:30 PM
1/18/2024 – Victoria, BC – Claremont Secondary – 8:45 AM
1/18/2024 – Brentwood Bay, BC – Bayside Middle School – 11:00 AM
1/22/2024 – North York, ON – Pierre Laporte Middle School – 1:00 PM
1/23/2024 – Toronto, ON – Heather Heights – 12:40 PM
1/24/2024 – Toronto, ON – Eglinton Junior Public School – 1:00 PM
1/25/2024 – Woodbridge, ON – Lorna Jackson – 9:00 AM
1/25/2024 – Brampton, ON – Burnt Elm – 8:30 AM
1/26/2024 – Newmarket, ON – Terry Fox PS – 1:00 PM
1/29/2024 – Toronto, ON – Monsignor John Corrigan – 12:30 PM
1/29/2024 – Toronto, ON – St. Dorothy – 10:10 AM
1/31/2024 – Toronto, ON – Rosethorn Jr – 8:40 AM
1/31/2024 – Toronto, ON – Rivercrest JPS – 12:20 PM
2/1/2024 – Waterloo, ON – Blessed Sacrement – 10:20 AM
2/1/2024 – Waterloo, ON – St. Kateri Catholic – 12:30 PM
2/7/2024 – Richmond Hill, ON – Bayview S.S. – 12:25 PM
2/8/2024 – Brampton, ON – St. Mary Elementary – 9:00 AM
2/8/2024 – Newmarket, ON – St. John XXIII CES – 1:15 PM
2/9/2024 – Toronto, ON – Ryerson Community School – 8:45 AM
2/9/2024 – Toronto, ON – Maurice Cody – 10:15 AM
2/12/2024 – Woodbridge, ON – St. Stephen – 12:35 PM
2/13/2024 – Virtual Conference – “Songs of Freedom” – 9:30 AM
2/13/2024 – Virtual Conference – “Songs of Freedom” – 1:00 PM
2/15/2024 – Brampton, ON – Huttonville PS – TBD
2/16/2024 – Sarnia, ON – King George – 9:00 AM
2/16/2024 – Sarnia, ON – Bridgeview – 1:00 PM
2/20/2024 – Richmond Hill, ON – Macleods Landing – 11:30 AM
2/21/2024 – Bolton, ON – St. Nicholas – 11:00 AM
2/21/2024 – Mississauga, ON – Fallingbrooke Middle School – 1:00 PM
2/22/2024 – Woodbridge, ON – St. Brandan -9:15 AM
2/22/2024 – Toronto, ON – Jackman Avenue JPS – 12:45 PM
2/23/2024 – Toronto, ON – Woodbine – 9:15 AM
2/23/2024 – North York, ON – St. Matthias C.S. – 1:00 PM
2/26/2024 – Woodbridge, ON – St. Mary of Angels – 9:00 AM
2/28/2024 – Toronto, ON – Taylor Creek Public School – 10:30 AM
2/29/2024 – Burlington, ON – Frontenac Public School – 9:25 AM
3/7/2024 – Mississauga, ON – Queenston Drive – 1:00 PM