Vancouver-based hip-hop artist SonReal has called off a promotion dubbed the "World's Worst Contest" that had Hamilton as the "prize" destination, when it became clear Hamiltonians online didn't seem to be laughing at the joke. Timed with the release of a new single called "Hot Air Balloon," SonReal was offering a series of prizes that appeared to bolster a stereotypical image of Hamilton as a beleaguered place one would never want to visit, let alone fly over in a hot air balloon in February. Hamilton was to be the second destination for SonReal's "World's Worst" contest. Online reaction to the world's worst contestTuesday afternoon, music giant Universal Music Canada tweeted about it complete with laugh-til-you-cry emoji:Ever wanted to #HotAirBalloon over Hamilton, ON.. #hamont https://t.co/y7ZI2l4TnT — @marinitweetAnd King William Street burger spot HAMBRGR saw the prize as just that:@marinitweet @umusic we'd love a hot air balloon ride over our gorgeous city!

Source: CBC News October 18, 2016 22:00 UTC