Some people believe that KNLO’s 2016 album Long Jeu is more adventurous and visionary than Sainte-Foy, the keb album summer of 2019, marbled with hits that are filled with nutrient-rich pop substance. Let’s agree instead that these records had their own qualities, one more experimental hip-hop, the other more commercial, both concocted by a master Quebec beatmaker – well beyond his involvement with Alaclair Ensemble. What would happen next ? Here, against all odds, is CLUB Mixtape 2020, the result of a collective effort led by KNLO – or KenLo Craqnuques, or frankly Akena Okoko, his real name of Congolese origin. Quebecois and (sometimes) French, the music is care of KNLO, Caro Dupont, Lewis Dice, Leo MSL, Kevin Kevin, Mofak, Anas Hasouna, VLooper, Generic TM, Sev Dee, Manifest, Guillaume Tondreau, Jean-Michel Frédéric, Lowpocus, Quiet Mike & Magnanimous. French, franglais or keb, the lyrics and choral lines are from KNLO, Caro Dupont, Anas Hassouna, Marius Larue, Eman, Brown Family, Sarah MK, Seif. Three listens are enough to make the following diagnosis: the diversity of the 14 proposals on the programme, and the quality of their artistic direction, keep KNLO at the top of hip-hop and keb beatmaking, open to electro, reggaeton, and contemporary jazz. Here is the typical KNLO vibe , a convivial mix of old school references and innovation. The talented Caro Dupont, flutist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, rapper, composer, beatmaker, and accomplice of KNLO’s, occupies a special place in this brilliantly conducted collective work. This is certainly the franglophone favourite of the season!
Latest 360 Content
Interview Classical/classique
Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves
By Frédéric Cardin
Concert review Africa
Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal
By Frédéric Cardin
Interview classique/Classical
Festival de Lanaudière | Franco Fagioli and the voice of bel canto
By Alexandre Villemaire
Concert review Africa/Electronic/latino
Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, A Feline Like No Other
By Sandra Gasana
Concert review Gnawa
Nights of Africa 2025 | A gnawa fusion reactor named Saïd Mesnaoui
By Frédéric Cardin
Concert review Africa
Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Sousou and Maher Cissoko: benevolence and complicity
By Frédéric Cardin
Concert review Classical/classique
Festival de Lanaudière | A Successful Choral Evening for Akamus
By Alexis Desrosiers-Michaud
Interview classique/Classical
Festival d’art vocal de Montréal | Training the Next Generation of Lyric Artists, From Voice to Stage Direction
By Alexandre Villemaire
Concert review Africa/Mandingo Blues/Soul/R&B
Nuits d’Afrique | Tyrane Mondeny: The Rising Star Has Reached Her Destination
By Sandra Gasana
Interview Hip Hop/Jazz/Pop
Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, The Sound of Subtropical Pop
By Keithy Antoine
Concert review Brazilian
Nuits d’Afrique | Mateus Vidal & Axé Experience, “Uma Festa” in The Rain
By Michel Labrecque
Concert review Africa/conte/Hip Hop/percussions
Nuits d’Afrique | Les mamans du Congo x Rrobin: A Successful Bet!
By Sandra Gasana
Concert review Gnawa/Psychedelia
Nuits d’Afrique: Bab L’ Bluz Summons The Desert
By Stephan Boissonneault
Interview Gnawa
Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Saïd Mesnaoui: Gnawa Fusion at the Heart of a Radiant Artist
By Frédéric Cardin
Interview Classical/classique/Sacred Music