Andrea Martin, Maestro Fresh Wes to receive Canada's top honour in the performing arts

How's this for an invite list? A comedy icon, a soprano who's performed for the Queen and the first rapper to be recognized by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Expect all three to be feted in Ottawa this June by the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. The annual prize is considered to be Canada's top honour in the performing arts, and since 1992, the GGPAA has celebrated artists "whose accomplishments have inspired and enriched the cultural life of our country."

So who are the lifetime achievement winners for 2024? The GGPAA Foundation revealed the honourees Thursday morning. They are: SCTV legend Andrea Martin; classical vocalist Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Quebec songwriter and musician Diane Juster, puppeteer and playwright Ronnie Burkett; and a musician who's oft billed as the "godfather of Canadian hip hop," Wes (Maestro) Williams.

"OK, this is so extraordinary," said Martin in a statement. The American-Canadian performer, who happens to be halfway to an EGOT, expressed her thanks in a video shared by the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation. "Every single job I've ever had, I have loved, and I feel blessed that people still want to hire me. And now to be rewarded like this is icing on the cake."

Video messages from each of this year's laureates were shared by the GGPAA Foundation following the awards announcement. In addition to the lifetime achievement honours, the 2024 GGPAA will recognize Mélanie Demers with the National Arts Centre Award. A multidisciplinary artist, Demers founded the Montreal-based contemporary dance company Mayday. Calgarian Jenny Belzberg, a community activist and philanthropist who has been an influential supporter of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, will receive the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts.

A gala celebrating the 2024 honourees will be held June 8 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.