TORONTO — Live 8 Canada will get a heavy dose of urban flavour Saturday thanks to the last-minute addition of DMC, part of the iconic rap group Run-DMC.

A veteran of Live Aid, the rapper said he is pleased he can add his voice to the fight to stamp out poverty in Africa. "I was happy to support Bob Geldof at the original Live Aid in 1985 with Run-DMC and it's really amazing to have the opportunity to make another contribution nearly 20 years later for such a worthy cause," he said in a release.

DMC has asked some friends to join him on stage, including Elliot Easton of The Cars, and Joey Kraemer and Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith.

DMC helped usher rap into the mainstream as one third of the legendary Run-DMC.

He joins a roster of Can-con stars including Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Our Lady Peace, Great Big Sea and the Barenaked Ladies.

The show takes place July 2 in Barrie, Ont., joining concerts in London, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Tokyo, Philadelphia and Johannesburg.