Posted yesterday at 10:00 a.m.
A year after winning the TV rap contest The end of the weak at Télé-Québec, Jam Khalil has just published Triumph, the first track of a 12-song project. Determined, he hopes to “bring rap to another level”. Nothing less.
In his discography, the young artist already has two albums: Barriers (2019) and mini album Equinox (2020). However, he considers In the heart of the kingdom as his first real major project.
” Barriers, I did it in my parents’ basement, he says, laughing. I had no background or contacts. For my EP [minialbum], clearly, we saw the progress. But there, it’s as if it were my first professional album, thanks to the hands and ears that passed over it. »
It’s not even debatable : it’s better than anything I’ve done before.
Jam Khalil
Question of giving a little touch to his project, the native of Boucherville has created a character: that of the protagonist. “Jam and the protagonist are the same person,” he says. But the protagonist talks a lot about determination and ambition, overcoming obstacles, perseverance. It emphasizes that part of my personality. »
This protagonist is also featured in the music video that accompanies the song. Triumph. “It’s the somewhat cliché story of the superhero who gets his ass kicked at the start, explains the rapper. Then, he gains a rage that is not naughty or mean, which pushes him to excel. »
Insist on variety
Jam Khalil already has some titles that have been appreciated by the public. On the other hand, there is no question of “redoing something that works”. He is in search of renewal.
I have 12 tracks, but do not expect a particular sound. In the heart of the kingdom, it is vast. Sometimes it’s the sun and the good weather, but sometimes it’s the night that reigns there.
Jam Khalil
The young man of Lebanese origin may well be the one on whom the spotlight is shone, he gives a lot of merit to his collaborators. His very good friend Félix Tétreault, for example, is also a director and artistic director for his music videos. “Without Félix, it would not be possible”, maintains the main interested party.
“We’ve known each other since college. It clicked automatically, says the director. We’re similar guys in terms of ambition. If I have an opportunity, I bring it, and the reverse is also true. In the beginning, we were doing clips for 50 piasses together, and we just shot a clip for $15,000. I am super satisfied. »
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, THE PRESS
Jam Khalil with Félix Tétreault (middle) and Mada Mada (right), two members of his team.
Jam Khalil wanted to improve his new album with many collaborations. He confirmed to The Press that the rappers Le Mind and Raccoon, two finalists of the first season of The end of the weakwere part of the lot.
think big
“I think I can take rapping to another level. In the industry, we see that there are really divisions, believes Jam Khalil. There are artists of my generation who feel angry, because we see the same names all the time. My voice can be that of the gathering. »
For the future, the Bouchervillois plans to “export” his music outside of Quebec. He sees many possibilities. “Geographically, we are close to the United States, and I speak English, he reflects. New York, which is a bit of a mecca for music, is a six-hour drive away. And at the same time, I am French-speaking, so with France or Belgium, there is a connection. »
Music today is extremely saturated, according to the 23-year-old rapper. His wish is that listeners invest the time to listen In the heart of the kingdom.
“I would like people to really listen to him. I am not an artist single, which you are going to listen to for just one summer, he argues. I want you to capture my sonic and lyrical subtleties. I want to support people in their daily lives, to make them feel that the impossible is possible. »