As the year turned, a plethora of surprisingly good singles, projects, and video content started coming out. Sadly, much of it appeared way too late to make the cut for hip-hop media end-of-the-year lists.
Quebec’s local scene, for example, got yet another SeinsSucrer album, Olivia.
While December and January often mark a pause in the constant overflow of quality releases, the end of January always picks up, marking the beginning of a year full of promises for Quebec’s ever-changing rap scene. Here’s what happened in Quebec as 2022 turned to 2023.
1. JRed the Doctor, ‘Packman’
At the end of 2022, Montreal’s baritone prince JRed the Doctor released a great album filled with drumless instrumentals, courtesy of 80Rock, nomstks, Adda Boe and SkinDeep. Packman describes the lonely path one hustler has to take to attain his goals. With Mori$$ Regal and Jimmie D’s help, the grimy MC delivers one of Montreal’s best projects that came out last year. Definitely a sleeper.
2. Rowjay on ‘High & Fines Herbes’
While Montreal was already aware Saint-Leonard artists were build different, who would have known one of them would appear in one of Belgium’s most successful YouTube programs. In the span of three weeks, High & Fines Herbes, a game show devoted to cannabis consumption hosted by Belgian rap stars Caballero & JeanJass, was viewed over 4 million times. This gave the world the opportunity to assess Montreal’s best export Rowjay, his smoking habits, and his motivation speeches. Build as the soundtrack to the series, the second volume of the High & Fines Herbes mixtape also starred the Saint-Leonard native, allowing him to showcase his unique rap style. As Caballero & JeanJass pursued their promo roll out, they also took the time to shout-out Montreal’s rap scene on Mehdi Maïzi’s Apple Music interview program Le Code.
3. Sam Aether and Idhem
Biggie famously rapped “Don’t you know that bad boys move in silence?” And if there existed live embodiments of this bar, Sam Aether and Idhem would be part of them. As Sam pursues his career goals by collaborating with different acts from the Los Angeles rap scene, he started off the year right by releasing yet another drum pack with Mico Drums and Niko Oroc called Layers 3. The West Island-raised producer continues to stand out in the bubbling sample pack industry. On the other side of the Atlantic, Idhem hustles his way through the hermetic French scene by connecting with rap acts like Zamdane and Khali. A French hip-hop platform 1863 recently unveiled an original beat made by the Montreal producer on their latest beat tape, allowing him to shine amongst upcoming acts.
4. Mehdi Maïzi’s Mouse Party
Since the beginning of his public appearances as a host for Abcdr du son’s online program, the French hip-hop journalist and host of Le Code on Apple Music acquired such a large audience that tour managers started organizing DJ nights so that people could come see him live in the flesh, attracting thousands of fans eager to dance and vibe to their favorite French rap bangers. His friendly persona, extensive knowledge of rap history and entertaining interviews are well-known in the Quebec rap scene. No wonder hundreds of people gathered to party with him at Studio TD last month.
Other tracks to check out:
Omnikrom f/Quadracup & Kirai, “Patapouf”
6illy, “Back in Blue”
