k-os to Headline 2025 CEBL Championship Final Halftime Show in Winnipeg
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Winnipeg Sea Bears, in collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg, announced Thursday that acclaimed Canadian rapper k-os will be the official halftime performer of the 2025 CEBL Championship Final, set for Sunday, August 24, at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The game and performance will be televised live on TSN as part of 2025 CEBL Championship Weekend (CW25).
k-os, born Kevin Brereton, is a Juno-winning Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer known for his genre-blending sound. He gained international recognition with Get Yourself High, his Grammy-nominated 2003 collaboration with The Chemical Brothers. His platinum-certified 2004 album Joyful Rebellion featured the hit single Crabbuckit, which won multiple national awards. k-os remains one of Canada’s top-selling hip-hop artists, with a new studio album, Everyone in Your Dream Is You, executive produced by Drake, expected later this year.
Additionally, Winnipeg-based musicians The Lytics and Boogey The Beat will perform at halftime of the CW25 Conference Finals doubleheader on Friday, August 22. Boogey The Beat takes the stage during the Eastern Conference Final, while The Lytics perform at the Western Conference Final, featuring the CW25 host team Sea Bears.
The Lytics are a local hip-hop group known for their soulful, genre-blending sound and high-energy performances. Gaining attention with their 2009 breakout “Big City Soundgirl,” the group has toured internationally and shared stages with The Roots and Shad. Their critically acclaimed albums blend hip-hop with funk, soul, and indie influences.
Boogey The Beat, born Lesley Boulanger, is an Anishinaabe DJ and producer from Winnipeg known for fusing traditional Indigenous rhythms with electronic beats. He has collaborated with The Halluci Nation and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and his debut EP Cousins showcases his signature powwow-step sound.
Considered Canada’s largest annual basketball celebration, CW25 will feature the CEBL’s top teams competing for the championship trophy; the annual CEBL Awards, honoring the league’s top talent; the Commissioner’s Luncheon, presented by Telpay, with speakers from NBA Canada, Canada Basketball, Telpay, and True North Sports & Entertainment; the CEBL Coaches Clinic, presented by Fox40; and the free, family-friendly PlayNow CW25 Street Festival from August 22–24 in downtown Winnipeg at True North Square and along Graham Avenue between Edmonton Street and Hargrave Street.
The three-day PlayNow CW25 Street Festival offers live music, food trucks, 3x3 basketball competitions, the Champions Market powered by Third + Bird, and interactive fan activities. More details on festival performers and programming will be announced soon.
Tickets for all three CW25 games are available now via Ticketmaster at this direct link. Fans can find more details, ticket offers, the full event schedule, and become a CW25 Insider for exclusive offers and updates on all CW25 events at cebl.ca/CW25.
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About the CEBL
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its rosters being Canadian and more than 10 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.