At Rolling Loud, Canadian rappers fighting for radio play and stage time find space to perform

Toronto rapper Smiley's welcoming energy precedes him.

Standing outside his trailer handing out cups and drinks, he takes the time to ask his team if they need anything moments before he hit the main stage at Rolling Loud, an international hip-hop festival held in Canada for the first time last weekend.

Smiley was grateful for the chance to perform an entire set before a large crowd gathered at Toronto's Ontario Place for the three-day festival. 

"I hope the crowd is excited today. I hope they come with that energy," he said before his performance. 

"This means a lot of growth, 'cause it's never happened. So I just hope everyone does good so it happens again and it keeps happening."

Canada has a long — albeit complicated — history with rap music and hip-hop culture.

In the '80s, Canadian rappers Michee Mee, Maestro Fresh Wes and Bobby Deemo first began to gain traction in the U.S.

But even after decades of success from top Canadian artists like Drake and Nav, it can be an uphill battle for others to find adequate space to showcase their talents and cultivate support.

Some women in the industry say it's even harder for them. 

Rolling Loud's lineup over the weekend included Future, Dave, Wizkid, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Rae Sremmurd, Roddy Ricch, Trippie Redd and Canadian talents like Baka Not Nice, Killy, Nav, Pressa, DJ Charlie B and Haviah Mighty.

Earlier this year, some critics called out the lack of women headliners in the lineup.

And for their part, women in the industry say opportunities to gain notoriety as rappers are few and far between.

Toronto rapper Paris Richards says she has been dreaming of moments like the one when she took the stage with Canadian R&B legend Jully Black on Saturday to perform their heartfelt song I Got You from her latest album Queen of the 6ix. 

"Everything I ever wished for in this music field all came together and it was just amazing," she told CBC News, while also acknowledging the difficulties she experiences as an independent artist in a male-dominated scene.