Posted at 7:00 a.m.
Proud Montrealers since 2017, Hypnotic Beatz has had a string of prestigious collaborations abroad.
In 2020, he alone signed the music for golden goal, a collaboration between Damso – Belgian star who fills Place Bell in the blink of an eye – and French rapper Kalash Criminel. He is also behind arrangements of the song bullfighttaken from JVLIVS II by Marseille rapper SCH, the most streamed album in France last year. We can also hear the voice of Hypnotic Beatz – modified as a musical instrument – on this song.
Surprisingly, this breakthrough in the career of Yannick Cabald (real name) has a lot to do… with the pandemic.
In March 2020, he is on the verge of working with Damso. He lands in France with Lens Dupuy, a beatmaker Montrealer who has already collaborated with the Belgian rapper, with a view to finding the latter in Brussels. Two weeks later, the pandemic breaks out. Damso cancels the meeting.
The two friends decide despite everything to stay in France to meet people there. They soon produced the rapper Oldpee’s first solo song, which has now surpassed 4 million streams online.
PHOTO FROM HYPNOTIC BEATZ’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Hypnotic Beatz (right) alongside rapper Kalash Criminel, who enjoys 1.2 million Instagram followers
To occupy his confinement abroad, the Montrealer concocts a production especially for Damso. He sends it to him by e-mail, but for lack of response from the Belgian star, he forwards it to Ray Da Prince, a director friend, who makes it heard at Kalash Criminel.
He immediately loved her. It fell just right when Kalash Criminel had to do a featuring with Damso. He had two sounds in mind, including mine. Damso preferred mine.
Hypnotic Beatz
During his trip, the Montrealer took part in a work session with several beatmakers Guadeloupeans, including Chapo, who collaborates with many rap stars. This beatmaker established in France has known Hypnotic Beatz for years. It is a production composed at that time which is found on JVLIVS II of CHS. Chapo and his partner Heizenberg mistakenly have her play at the album’s writing camp. The rapper adopts it immediately.
“SCH came running into the room when he heard the prod, reports Hypno (for friends). In the end, he made a music video with the song. That means he doesn’t think badly of her. »
Millions of views at 13
His taste for music, Yannick Cabald cultivates it since adolescence. While still living in Gourbeyre, Guadeloupe, he forged ties with beatmakers who work for the Toronto label founded by Drake, OVO Sound. He then began to dream of Canada. “I wanted to experience the Franglais side of Quebec. America, but in French. »
the beatmaker says that when it comes to establishing professional contacts, he becomes a bit “psychopathic”: he scans social networks to find an artist’s manager, his DJ or his sound engineer. Sometimes it even falls on the person who deals with the sale of derivative products.
When I think back on it, I tell myself that I harassed people a bit. But what other choice do those who start really have? Especially me who lived on an island.
Hypnotic Beatz
His first client is Railfé, a very trendy street rapper in Guadeloupe. Hypno then begins to produce for artists street of his country of origin. Three years later, he has worked with virtually every local urban artist. “They weren’t the ones we heard on the radio, but all the young people listened to them,” he recalls. At 13, I had millions of views on YouTube. »
Introduction to the Montreal scene
Upon his arrival in Canada, Yannick Cabald began computer science courses at the University of Montreal. “A month later, I gave up everything for music. I joined Musitechnic because I didn’t want to stay home and just do beats. I wanted at least a diploma. »
At school, he met Philippe-Olivier David, who became his manager. The latter then introduced him to the local scene. “That’s how I worked with almost all of 5sang14”, explains the composer. Thanks to a meeting with WondaGurl, musical producer behind several songs by Drake, he also collaborates with the Torontonian KILLY, nominated for a Juno for his album Surrender Your Soul.
Hypnotic Beatz hasn’t turned its back on its motherland, however. Almost ten years later, he is still working with his first client, Railfé. Recently, he composed for him the title Magic, released last December.
This year, Hypnotic Beatz has a lot of projects that he doesn’t want to reveal too quickly. He is determined to establish himself as an artist. On the eve of his 23rd birthday, he still has life ahead of him.