The Montreal district Hochelaga, new epicenter of the Hip-Hop and Rap Quebec scene

The raw talents are multiplying in eastern Montreal-and not only in the emblematic districts of the history of Quebec rap, such as Montreal-Nord and Saint-Michel. Nevertheless, It is a little further south that the action takes place these days, in a formerly unloved district. Consequently,

Hochelaga is home to some of the most interesting hip-hop artists in recent years in Quebec. For example, among others Mike Shabb, Calamine, 6illy, Dope.gng, Aswell, Franz Keloh, Sensei H and Rami. For example, B (from Planet Giza). Furthermore, “I have the impression that this is the typical case of the popular district which is not too expensive. However, which attracts artists. Therefore, We settle here because we do not have montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new much money, that we do not have a diploma …. Moreover. Nevertheless, we have a diploma that we do not use, “analyzes montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter with a little humor Yuri Marven, which we knew within the duo dope.gng, at the origin of the hard -hitting antiantrification hymn Burn condos.

Certainly. Nevertheless. Additionally, Nevertheless, the rappers and producers mentioned above have only the neighborhood as a common point: most of them have a desire to create free and independently, without the grip of a record company. Meanwhile, “It’s the rebellious side of Hochelaga, that. In addition, We do our business as we want. Moreover. Therefore, ”explains Mike Shabb, who also quotes Wesley the Soldier, Kama and Loukatessier as key artists in the sector where he has lived for a decade.

The English-speaking producer and rapper is one of the most respected hip-hop artists in his city. However, Propelled by remarkable outings montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new from our southern neighbors. For example. Moreover, including his album Sewaside III, who benefited from good criticism from the reputed American media Pitchforkhe received several offers from American record companies, which montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter he all declined. Similarly, “Contracts often involve selling your soul. Meanwhile, It would end up killing my music. Similarly. ”says the one who considers a signature with a Quebec label for the release of a first project in French, his mother tongue.

The producer. Meanwhile. DJ and engineer of his figure8, who moved to Hochelaga in the 2000s, is also attached to this idea of independence. In addition, “No one here is really looking to be signed. Therefore, We do our business on our side. Nevertheless, I find that fit With the spirit of the neighborhood, which has always been sidelined the rest of Montreal. Therefore, »»

Active on the rap scene for two decades. Similarly, montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new among others within Omnikrom, Figure8 has a studio at the corner of Davidson and Ontario. The place. where rappers. producers are grouped like breasts, preone, Neimo, Gabwan (also of Omnikrom), Badmninnto and Sloan Lucas, is montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter one of the key places in Hip-Hop in the East of Montreal, a place where all the experiments are allowed. “I love rap mainstreambut what has always “driven me” is to be a little left. to do business that no one else does. Hochelaga tints this spirit, ”says the artist.

Montreal district hochelaga. new epicenter new

Montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter

Rap gross and militant – Montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter

Hochelaga permeates almost all of Calamine’s work. Since its beginnings in 2019. the artist from Quebec has been telling the ups and downs in which she moved seven years ago. And she does it in all humility. “I am so proud montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new of the way I have been welcomed here that I feel indebted. For me, it was a small revolution when I arrived in the neighborhood. There is a feeling In Hochelaga to “live and let live” incomparable. You go to DEP ‘and you don’t care about the way you dressed! I montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter love the feeling old workers’ district. There is a humility that does good. that I am proud to highlight in my music. “explains the militant rapper, who says he is writing 95 % of her texts in her head by making her morning jog.

Yuri Marven, who has been carrying out his solo boat since the end of Dope.gng, a few months ago, shares the same kind of experience as Calamine. “I feel at home here. I like that it is so alive, so real. I have the impression that there are neighborhoods hiding behind montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new shops trends. While here, everything is more true, without filter […] It’s not a neighborhood all the time clean. There are people who could be shocked to get here. You have to be comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable to live in Hochelaga. »»

This discomfort is a great source of inspiration for local artists montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter like Mike Shabb. With his style of raw, sometimes brutal rap, the proud Hochelagais tells what he sees around him. “By being here for years. I saw lots of things: junkies Delirious. people who prick themselves, who smoke crack, people who cry out in the street, young people who rob Other young people, I even saw someone take out a machete in front of me … Yes, it is made gentrified, but, if you walk by bike between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., everything you see, especially on Sainte-Cath montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new ‘, is like a film. »»

Montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new

Montreal district hochelaga. new epicenter

Biker’s post-war period

The film was just as violent. if not more, in the 1990s and 2000s, as evidenced by the work of veterans of the neighborhood like Chub-E Pelletier, Ott and Monmon. Born in 1977, the latter remembers an era when the worst could arrive at any time. “Everyone from Hochelaga montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter was linked to the biker war. The whole district was bathed in there. You were safe from nothing, whether you were a grandmother or a child. I was there. the other side of the street. when the bomb jumped Coin Pie-IX and Adam, “he recalls, in reference to this pivotal event of this war, which caused the accidental death of the young Daniel Desrochers.

Azazel, another rapper and veteran of the neighborhood, also knew this time when crime was omnipresent montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new in Hochelaga. “We didn’t have much money and we wanted to get out of it in the fastest way. We turned to easy money. I have made a career for a while until I understand that I worked so many hours for so little. When I finally ended my criminal career, I had nothing left … “

Within black horsemen. an important group of Montreal rap underground from the 1990s. montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter 2000s, Azazel marked its time with a raw and politicized rap, like its life experiences and its convictions. “The fact that we lacked everything, the only way we had to defend yourself was our mouth. And. at the time. there was so little money to make [avec le rap] That it didn’t change anything I say shocking things. We had the same reach. »

Even if they notice that Hochelaga has greatly transformed in the last montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter new ten years. the two veterans. who each lead their solo career, do not have such a pink image of the neighborhood, which they both left. “What I see is that the rich are enriched. that the poor are becoming one of them. ” observes Monmon, making both reference to the camps of rue Notre-Dame and the displacement of the poorest to the east of the neighborhood. “But they may build condos, the roots of Hochelaga will montreal district hochelaga, new epicenter always stay. Furthermore, »»

“Hochelaga, it will always remain very cities,” believes Mike Shabb, taking up the emblematic anti-polishing acronym. Additionally, “Energy is very” we will never let ourselves be done “. I have the impression that rebellion, it is in tap water. »»

Hochelaga rappers, regardless of their generation, obviously do not buy bottled water.

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