15 Quebec Francophone Musicians And Bands That English-Speakers Need To Know About
Ah, la musique francophone est incroyable! Anglos sometimes need to get out of their bubble and listen to the music around them I think. So many people are turned off by Francophone music because they're used to hearing "les chansons" or Celine. There's more than that, my Anglos!
I know so many Anglo Quebecois that haven't listened to any Francophone Quebecois music and honestly, that's tragic. We live in one of the most musically diverse and exciting places in Canada, so why are we limiting ourselves to one language?
Même si you can't speak les deux langues in Quebec, you can definitely appreciate the music. For me, music has no language! If Francophones can jam out to Ariana Grande, us Anglophones can just as easily rock out to Jean Leloup (who isn't on this list, but check him out if you haven't!).
Below are 15 artists that Anglos should definitely check out! Below each artist, I've included a song suggestion and a link to their official website.
READ ALSO: You Can Now Get Tickets To Celine Dion's Concert In Montreal For $109
TL;DR MTL Blog brings you a list of the 15 best Francophone Quebecois musicians and bands that Anglos need to know about!
Alaclair Ensemble
A Montreal and Quebec City-based hip-hop collective with strong rhymes and wicked hooks.
Genre: Hip-Hop
Listen to: Ça que c'tait
Check them out here!
Choses Sauvages
Montreal-based dance-pop that's super nostalgic, yet ultra-modern.
Genre: Dance-Pop
Listen to: Nuages
Check them out here!
Eli Rose
Eli Rose has been in the Montreal music scene for the past 10 years, crafting a perfect blend between angelic vocals and contagious beats.
Genre: Electro-pop
Listen to: Tôt ou tard
Check her out here!
Alex Nevsky
Granby's proudest export, Alex Nevsky, crafts infectious melodies with a contemporary pop vibe. He won "Album of the Year – Pop" at the Gala de l'ADISQ in 2014.
Genre: Pop
Listen to: Le coeur assez gros
Check him out here!
Dead Obies
Dead Obies are an example of how French and English can mix to make amazing hip-hop that's equal parts intense and heartfelt. The South Shore group just released their latest album: DEAD.
Genre: Experimental Hip-Hop
Listen to: Run Away
Check them out here!
La Fièvre
La Fièvre is a synth-pop group from Montreal that combines elements of your darkest fever dreams with hypnotic rhythms to create music that is uniquely intense and beautiful.
Genre: Synth-Pop
Listen to: La chienne
Check them out here!
Peter Peter
Peter Peter's music is exactly what happens when you have a carefree night at the club while thinking about your hopeless romantic yearning.
Genre: Synth-Pop
Listen to: Noir éden
Check him out here!
Lydia Képinski
A self-described "enfant terrible" out of the Mile-End, Lydia Képinski has worked tirelessly over the past couple of years to deliver an energetic and brilliant debut album.
Genre: Pop
Listen to: Premier juin
Check them out here!
Charlotte Cardin
Charlotte Cardin skyrocketed to fame after being a finalist on La Voix in 2013. Last year, she received two Juno nominations. The Montreal-based songstress is an amazing blend of jazzy vocals and poppy hooks. She's bilingual, en plus!
Genre: Pop
Listen to: Les Échardes
Check her out here!
Xarah Dion
Xarah Dion has been around the Montreal music scene for a while now, providing us with haunting vocals over distinctive industrial techno beats.
Genre: EBM, Techno
Listen to: Fugitive
Check her out here!
Safia Nolin
Safia Nolin is a folk singer out of Quebec City. She arrived in the popular culture consciousness after a collaboration with Patrick Watson in 2018.
Genre: Folk
Listen to: Dagues
Check them out here!
Coeur de Pirate
Béatrice Martinis better known as Coeur de Pirate. She's perhaps one of the most well-known artists on this list. As a classically trained pianist with hauntingly beautiful vocals, Coeur de Pirate is credited for bringing Quebecois Francophone music into the mainstream.
Genre: Pop
Listen to: Prémonition
Check her out here!
Arianne Moffatt
Arianne Moffatt, from Quebec City, is a multi-talented singer that is undefinable by any genre standards. She sings in both French and English, layering beautiful vocal hooks and incredible musical arrangements into one awesome package.
Genre: Pop
Listen to: Pour toi
Check her out here!
FouKi
FouKi is a hip-hop artist out of the Plateau that creates intricate trap beats with playful tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
Genre: Hip-Hop
Listen to: Positif
Check him out here!
Dumas
Dumas is one of the most prolific artists in the Quebec music scene. Since 2003, the Montreal-based musician has released 11 albums, each with his own unique twist on indie pop and rock.
Genre: Pop
Listen to: À l'est d'Éden
Check him out here!
Be sure to add these artists toyour summer playlist!
Enjoy!!