Fredz’s first summer job was as a mascot at a children’s center. This summer, “it’s the first time I’ve given concerts. I see it a bit like this: job summer more fun than the average! The young rapper, who has just turned 20 and has completed his first year of university studies, performed two weeks ago at the Festival d’été de Québec.
Here he is already for the first time on the Osheaga poster: “I’m a fan of the festival. It’s an honor to be able to be there on stage,” he told the To have towho also asked him to choose from the vast musical buffet of the weekend five other concerts not to be missed.
“Yes, we can talk about a fairy tale”, concedes Fredz. Discovered by producer (and rapper) K. Maro on social networks, the rap-pop singer-songwriter, originally from the South Shore of Montreal, launched last March the album Astronaut.
“At the time of releasing the album, I had only given three concerts in my life! Since then, I have gained a lot of experience. I feel more comfortable, my performances are better. And it’s good to be able to meet your audience: during the pandemic, with my songs on the Web, I didn’t know who I was talking to. It feels good today to see faces. »
During his not so distant adolescence, Fredz gorged himself on rap and the work of French Youtubers — Kemar and Hugo tout Seul, among others. “I wouldn’t say that I was immersed that much in French culture, but I consumed a lot of cultural products from France and Belgium,” he says. That’s not why I sing and rap like I do, but today, I’m happy to have got into the habit of singing with an accent that is more understandable for people who come from elsewhere. »
The musician indeed has this “normative” way of singing which has allowed him to reach a large audience in Europe, where he went a few weeks ago to “meet [son] team, with whom [il] been working for almost two years, [mais qu’il n’avait] never seen in person”.
“How did the desire to write songs come to me? I’m someone who talks a lot in life, says Fredz. So I had this desire to express myself, but differently. I started music at 15 or 16 because I wanted to do something different with my life, something other than going to school. I bought a guitar, it was a revelation. »
Did you finally learn to play more than three chords, like the title of one of the songs fromAstronaut ? “Today, I know at least seven! I play it sometimes in concert, when I feel brave…”
The Rapper’s Choice
The Kid LAROI
“Kid LAROI is a big inspiration for me. One of my first references, in the songs that I make and in my instrumentals, often very inspired by what he offers, beats with guitar and ukulele. His melodies rock a lot, and in concert, it sounds great cool. He really seems to be sure! »
Friday, 5:55 p.m., Mountain Stage
Skifall
“A very talented young artist from Montreal. I have a feeling his career is going to explode in no time. This is cool to have the chance to see an artist with so much potential in concert just before it opens up internationally. I don’t consider Skiifall to be a pop artist; there is a more rap side to his music, it comes with the “UK drill” sound [qu’il amalgame à ses influences dancehall et reggae]. He’s not pop, but that doesn’t necessarily have to do with his lyrics, which aren’t violent; it’s just in the flow, in the attitude and image he projects in his music videos. »
Saturday, 4:45 p.m., Tree Stage
Zach Zoya
“Already, you have to go see him because he is from Quebec and there are not a lot of Quebecers on the Osheaga poster. Then, because he is very talented and it will not be long before he explodes on the scene, here and internationally. He also has a beautiful universe: his music is accessible, he sings very well, on big productions, in my opinion. His last album [No Love Is Ever Wasted, paru en juin], it’s 10 out of 10. We know each other a little bit, for having exchanged on social networks. We should meet soon at a concert. »
Sunday, 3:20 p.m., Green stage
laylow
“Laylow has just been added to the lineup, replacing [du rappeur belgo-congolais] Damso. I just learned about it, but I immediately said to myself that it should not be missed. Laylow is a French rap artist who will give Osheaga his first concert in North America. It’s incredible, what he does — he has a universe in my opinion superior to several other international artists who also do rap. His art direction is perfect, very consistent from start to finish, very futuristic — you listen to him and you feel like he’s from another planet. He is fully in his character, even in his most recent album, The Strange Story of Mr. Anderson », published in July 2021.
Sunday, 6:15 p.m., Green stage
Dua Lipa
“Well, she’s a headliner, but I’m a big, big Dua Lipa fan, I couldn’t help but put her on my list. She is not for me a musical inspiration, rather someone who makes, in my opinion, very good songs. It’s pop, but, how can I say… She gives what people want, and for that, I love it. His music is done with class, and I’m sure that in concert, it must be crazy! I went to see Angèle recently [aux Francofolies de] La Rochelle, and I have the impression that she was inspired a lot by Dua Lipa for her concert, with the dozen dancers, the special effects and the pyrotechnics. »
Sunday, 9:20 p.m., River Stage