For most artists, a first international performance might mean a small club or an intimate venue in an unfamiliar city. For Toronto rapper Casper TNG, it meant stepping onto the stage at London's O2 Arena as an opening act for J. Cole. Casper opened the first two London shows of Cole's The Fall-Off World Tour on October 19 and 20, marking the first time he had performed outside Canada.

Speaking exclusively with Complex Canada 's Christopher Turner, Casper revealed that the opportunity came together through his close relationship with producer Boi-1da, who helped connect him with J. Cole's team ahead of the tour's Toronto stop.

"Me and Boi-1da, we're mad close," Casper explained, before revealing how the connection came together.

"That was actually Boi-1da who made the connection. J. Cole was doing his tour and he had a stop in Toronto. I guess J. Cole's team asked him, 'Who's the guy? Who's the opener? Who should we holler at in Toronto?' And he responded, 'It's got to be Casper.…