Quebec hip-hop scene's focal point shifts to Hochelaga
In the heart of Montreal's east end, the neighbourhood of Hochelaga has emerged as a vibrant hub for independent and defiant hip-hop artists. This grassroots music scene, characterised by a raw, DIY aesthetic, has seen a surge in talented artists such as Mike Shabb, Calamine, dope.gng, and 6illy, who represent a community-driven, rebellious music scene that emphasises authentic storytelling and independence.
This evolving scene in Hochelaga contributes to Montreal's broader vibrant hip-hop and independent music culture, which includes concert series like Le Cypher X that organise premier hip-hop shows and jam sessions featuring top local musicians across the city. Montreal’s independent music scene thrives alongside other genres such as soul, jazz, and R&B, with venues like Le Balcon and jazz clubs enriching the city’s live music offerings.
Hochelaga itself is specifically recognised for its grassroots hip-hop voices, with figures like Mike Shabb, a highly respected artist in Montreal, having received positive reviews from American media outlets like Pitchfork. Other notable artists from the neighbourhood include Calamine, who tells the ups and downs of Hochelaga in her work with humility, and Azazel, a rapper and veteran of the neighbourhood, who gained influence within the Black Knights, an influential group in Montreal's underground rap scene in the 1990s and 2000s.
Despite the neighbourhood's vibrant music scene, Hochelaga has not been immune to challenges. MonMon, another veteran of the neighbourhood, observes that there has been a widening gap between the rich and the poor, with the Notre-Dame Street encampments and displacement of the less fortunate to the east of the neighbourhood. Azazel also experienced a time when crime was omnipresent in Hochelaga.
However, these artists share a desire to create freely and independently, without the influence of a record label. This independent spirit is exemplified by Figure8, a producer, DJ, and sound engineer, who also resides in Hochelaga and shares the desire for independence. Yuri Marven, formerly of dope.gng, shares a similar experience, feeling at home in Hochelaga and appreciating its authenticity.
In a tragic incident, a woman and a child drowned in a Montreal pool, as reported by the police upon arrival. This serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that still persist in Hochelaga. Mike Shabb, in expressing a negative view of the current state of Hochelaga, stated that it is still very ACAB (anti-police).
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[1] https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hochelaga-plateau [4] https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/local-arts/montreal-s-independent-music-scene-is-thriving-and-its-not-just-hip-hop [5] https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-s-independent-music-scene-thriving-but-struggling-to-survive-1.5502872
The independent and defiant hip-hop music scene in Hochelaga adds to Montreal's broader cultural emphasis on diverse genres like soul, jazz, and R&B, creating a rich entertainment landscape in the city. This vibrant cultural background features artists like Mike Shabb, who has received international recognition, and Calamine, whose work showcases the ups and downs of the Hochelaga lifestyle.
