Pickering’s internet service is in the spotlight after the rapper Drake posted a comment to Instagram on Wednesday, prompting a creative reply from the city.

Pickering’s response to Drake has gone viral since he asked the mayor to “set up some stronger Wi-Fi towers so @boi1da can be able to send me all his newest beats.”

Boi-1da, a Grammy-award winning music producer, lives in north Pickering, says Mark Guinto, Pickering’s manager of public affairs and corporate communications.

Guinto crafted a witty reply to Drake, referencing many of the rapper’s songs, while defending the city’s efforts to improve Wi-Fi access.

“We’re ... working on expanding and strengthening Pickering’s broadband network so there will be fast and reliable internet service whether it’s in Matt’s crib or Marvin’s Room,” the city wrote.

“God’s Plan? Nah – it’s the mayor and council’s plan.”

“A standard response wouldn’t have gone viral,” said Guinto on Thursday morning, as he continued to field interview requests from the media while on vacation.

“Doing it in a fun and engaging way brought a lot of attention to the issue.”

Boi-1da will have an upcoming meeting with Mayor Dave Ryan so the mayor can discuss the issue with him, says Guinto.

“The initial post was erroneous in that the problem isn’t Wi-Fi towers but the internet service in Boi-1da’s home studio in Pickering,” Guinto said. “We do recognize it’s a problem. We do want to see reliable, fast broadband service across Pickering. Residents and businesses need it.”

Boi-1da, born Matthew Samuels, said in an Instagram story that he wasn’t looking for a “rap battle,” but wants officials to address poor internet connection throughout the region.

“This is an issue that has been going 10-plus years with no resolve,” he wrote. “I’m serious about my business, my music and my money, and what we have been given is not sufficient.”

Despite being next to Toronto, many of Pickering’s rural residents don’t have access to a fast and reliable internet connection, said Guinto.

He said the city has been working to address the issue by expanding public Wi-Fi and installing new conduits, but needs federal funding in order to build up its wireless infrastructure.

Guinto said Boi-1da is an example of why businesses need Wi-Fi access to compete in the global economy.

“He is a Grammy Award-winning producer. He’s sold millions of records through all the international artists he’s worked with,” said Guinto, citing famous collaborators such as Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Eminem.

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“He doesn’t necessarily have to go fly to wherever they are, but (he wants) to be able to work out of his studio in Pickering, in Canada.”

Pickering applied for federal funding in 2017 to improve broadband service but didn’t get the money, says Guinto, who adds the city continues to meet with stakeholders.

Since Drake’s post, private internet service providers have reached out to the city, Guinto says.

“It brought a lot of attention to it, we have the private sector reaching out. Ultimately, it helped communicate our key messages. It went out to tens of thousands of people.”

With files from The Canadian Press

Judi Bobbitt is a reporter for DurhamRegion.com. Reach her via email: jbobbitt@durhamregion.com

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