Dubmatique

Dubmatique is a French Canadian hip hop group formed in 1992 in Montreal, Quebec. The groups original line up consisted of OTMC, DiSoul, and Dj Choice. Dubmatique is often regarded as one of the groups that launched French Canadian Hip Hop, made way for upcoming artist, and within this category they are the only group to have an album certified Platinum.

Biography

Early career

In the 1980’s, Disoul and OTMC became friends in the country of Senegal.^[1] In the early 90’s Disoul moved to Montreal, Canada. Shortly after OTMC also goes there and meets his old buddy. They have the idea to start a French Hip Hop group. The two rappers become acquainted with Dj Choice, who decides to join them, hence Dubmatique is born.^[2] In 1994, they made their first appearance by doing a freestyle on the mix-tape Tape 9-Too Leust by Cut Killer.^[3]

By 1995, the group starts to be very successful doing shows in local clubs. They participate at the launch of the album Simple et Funky by Alliance Ethnik and the soundtrack for the movie La Haine who are extremely successful in Quebec. They win the award of Best Hip Hop Group of the Year at the Gala Mimi. That same summer, they do a show at the music festival named Les FrancoFolies de Montréal where their perseverance and fan base is noticed.^[4]

La force de comprendre

In 1997, on the French Canadian market, they release their first album named La force de comprendre. It is soon certified platinum and sells over 125 000 copies.^[5] Because of the singles and music videos for Soul Pleureur, La force de comprendre, and Plus rien n’est pareil, they reach the top of the charts on commercial radio stations and TV channels for music videos. The reviews were extremely favorable on both the lyrics and the production. It also includes featurings with two of France’s finest rappers Menelik and 2 Bal.^[6] The group went on to do over 150 shows on the biggest stages throughout Quebec. Dubmatique becomes one of the most publicized group. At the French Canadian equivalent of the "Grammy Awards" called "Le Gala de L'ADISQ". The awards they won The Felix Award of "Best Rock Alternative Album" (Their first year at "Le Gala de L'ADISQ", they didn't have a Hip Hop section).^[7] They were nominated for Group of the year, and Revelation of the year. This streak of success would on until 1998 were the won the Felix Award for Group of the year, and two more nominations for Show of the year and Best Seller.^[8] On the English side of Canada they are nominated for a Juno Award in the Best selling Francophone album. On top of winning a Muchmusic Video Awards for best francophone music video. Because of this, Dubmatique is considered the first great group of french Canadian rap, ever since in this category La force de comprendre is highest grossing album.

Dubmatique

Their second album, the self titled Dubmatique cames out in 1999. They launch the singles and music videos of La vie est si fragile with the violinist Ashley MacIsaac and Mémoires who also have a high attainment of popularity on the charts. The album is certified golf and sells 35 000 copies in their first week. They collaborate with two members of the group IAM, Shurik’n is featured on the song L’avenir, and Akhenathon remixes the single La force de comprendre from the first album. Montreal artists were also featured El Winner of «Latitude Nord», D-Shade of «Shades of Culture» and Mr. Len. The record is well reviewed and maintains Dubmatique as the number one group in Quebec Hip Hop. They continue to fill up large venues. Finally at "Le Gala de L'ADISQ", they won the Felix Award for “Hip Hop Album of the year”, were nominated for Group of the year. Additionally at “Le Gala Soba” they won two Sound of Blackness Awards for Best Group of the year, and Best Francophone Hip Hop Group of the year.

Influences

Dj Choice doesn’t participate on the production of their third album. Disoul and OTMC work with various renowned producers which consisted of Sonny Black, Jaynaz, Ray Ray, and Stéphane Dufour. In 2001 they release the album Influences. Ragga Dub and Sexcite-Moi, a collaboration with the rock singer Éric Lapointe, were chosen as the singles and music videos to launch the album. The group continues to do well on the charts. They win the Felix Award for Best Hip Hop Album of the year. This record is also annotated to be the first apparition by best selling Rnb singer Corneille on a professional project.

Mémoires and solo projects

In 2004, their label Tox releases the compilation Mémoires that contains all their hits, with many of their critically acclaimed song. Shortly after, Disoul and OTMC launch solo projects. In 2005, Disoul decided to use is real name, Jérôme-Philippe and releases a self titled album where he mixes rapping and singing. OTMC follows up in 2006 with a Hip Hop album named Sincérité volontaire. Their respective songs would play on the radios throughout Quebec and sales are respectable.

Trait d’union

In 2008, a group is created by a fan on Facebook to reunite Dubmatique, and over 50 000 fans join. This motivates OTMC and Disoul to make an album. In 2009 they launch Trait d’union. Dj Choice participates and produces the song Patience a collaboration with Sir Pathetik, Imposs and John John. Re-known singers such as Barnev Valsaint, Jennifer Silencieux, and Mike Coriolan also participate. With the singles and music videos for La Vibe and Cold World, they get an excellent diffusion and are on demand. Les FrancoFolies de Montréal music festival organises their first reunion show.

Awards

1995 Meeting International des Musiques Innovatrices

• Mimi Award Win: Best Hip-Hop Group of the Year

1997 Gala de l'ADISQ^[9]

• Félix Award Win: Best Rock Alternative Album ((at the time the "gala de l'ADISQ" did't have a Hip Hop section))
• Félix Award Nomination: Group of the year
• Félix Award Nomination: Revelation of the year

1998 Gala de l'ADISQ^[10]

• Félix Award Win: Group of the year
• Félix Award Nomination:Show of the year by writer-composer-performer
• Félix Award Nomination: Best selling album

1998 Juno Award ^[11]

• Juno Award Nomination: Best Selling Francophone Album

1998 Much Music Video Awards

• Much Music Video Awards Win: Best French Video

1999 Gala de l'ADISQ^[12]

• Félix Award Win: Best Hip Hop Album
• Félix Award Nomination: Group of the year

1999 Soba Gala

• Sound of Blackness Award Win: Best Group of the year
• Sound of Blackness Award Win: Best Francophone Hip Hop Group of the year

2002 Gala de l'ADISQ^[13]

• Félix Award Win: Best Hip Hop Album

Collaborations

• Cut Killer "Tape 9-Too Leust" (1994) - Freestyle - ^[14]
• Cut Killer "Freestyle Canada" (1999) - Freestyle - ^[15]
• Online "Everest" (2010) - Superstar - ^[16]

Discography

• 1997: La force de comprendre ^[17]

1. Soul pleureur
2. Dire
3. Jamais cessé d'y croire
4. La morale
5. Authentiques (feat. 2 Bal)
6. Un été à Montréal
7. La force de comprendre
8. Voir pour le croire
9. Mère Afrique
10. Rien n'est plus pareil
11. C'est de la bombe
12. Montréal, Paris, Dakar

• 1998: Dubmatique ^[18]

1. La vie est si fragile
2. L'Avenir (invité Shurik'n)
3. Jamais prisonniers des stéréotypes
4. Trop dur
5. Babylone
6. L'original
7. Mémoire
8. La vie est si fragile...
9. Jeune fille égarée
10. Sèche tes larmes
11. Tout a tellement changé
12. Le rap français
13. La force de comprendre (Remix : Akhénaton)

• 2001: Influences ^[19]

1. Check du micro
2. Ragga Dub
3. Sacrée soirée
4. Compte sur moi
5. On s'en sortira
6. Sexcite-moi (featuring Éric Lapointe (singer))
7. Influences
8. Ensemble
9. Si jamais...
10. Selon sa volonté
11. Nouvelle génération

• 2009: Trait d'union ^[20]

1. J'assume
2. La vibe
3. Cold world
4. Que toi
5. Ladies night
6. O
7. Changer le monde
8. Life
9. Un autre brave
10. Hymne au Québec
11. Suave
12. Patience

References

Citations