Q for Quentin, and 052 for the official name of the Gesgapegiag reserve where he grew up, Mi’kmaq rapper Q052 returns to Suoni Per Il Popolo to tell the story of the reality of the rez and the problems faced today by the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island in the Gaspé Peninsula. Bumping old-school, funky hip hop, Quentin began writing in the hope that his music could inspire systemic change, as evidenced by his most recent album, Qama’Si (Lève-toi), released in November 2019, and prior to that, 2018’s Rez Life. An ardent defender of Indigenous youth and women fighting for their rights, and ever hopeful of a better future, the rapper’s words are highly topical and confront governments as well as individuals.
Earlier in the evening, the post-punk/grunge band Heathers present the world premiere of their new album.