Ligue d'improvisation Hip Hop du Québec:: 3rd edition
8:30pm
– $10 in advance/$15 at the door
After the huge
success of the Ligue d’improvisation Hip Hop du Québec’s two first editions,
here is the third evening dedicated to those MC battles that makes hundreds
of spectators screaming with delight. Those being the last games before the
semi-finals, teams Phat Farm, Off the Hook,
Drunknmunky and Evidence will rehearse one
last time while heating the atmosphere at SAT.
As usual, guest
artists will perform before and between the matches and once again you won’t
be disappointed! You will discover a new, promising young singer, Belle, whose
fascinating style blends several music genres. Mosquito Coast, a duo formed
by DJ Mana and DJ Fat Sak, will certainly electrify the audience with a zesty
performance.
DJ Mana
Annam Le, aka DJ Mana, started DJing in 1993 at the age of 13. He improved his
mixing skills with house and techno music. Mixing at house parties and school
dances throughout his high school years, he developed a sensitivity to the crowd.
In 1997, DJ Sevin introduced him to the art and culture of turntablism. With
inspiration from Q-Bert, A-Trak, Executioners and Beat Junkies, Mana began using
the turntables as a musical instrument. As a result, Mana quickly switched his
musical style to hip-hop.
Mana quickly gained notoriety for his turntablist skills. The DJ battle scene
brought him much of his success. He participated in numerous battles in Montreal,
Toronto, and Hawaii and earned high standing in most of them. He was inducted
into the Hawaii based Nocturnal Sound Krew in 2000. The group won the ITF World
Championship in the Team Battle in 2001 and 2002.
Mana developed
his studio production skills with his studies at Concordia University in the
Communication Studies department. As a school project in 2002, Mana produced
a full length album called Metamers. Many of his other studio projects consisted
of sound engineering for Montreal hip-hop artists.
Now based in the
heart of Montreal, Mana continues to spread his energy through his music. He
practices his turntablist skills under the guidance of other DJs such as Q-Bert,
Kid Koala and P-Love. He teaches the art of turntablism to the youth of Montreal
and Boisbriand. He also continues to produce music at Venom Studio in Westmount.
Mana’s future plans include record releases, performances and educational
turntablist seminars.
DJ
Fat Sak
DJ Fat Sak is a respected scratch DJ and all-around player… but he is also
one of the most sought-after producers in Eastern Canada. Fat Sak’s beats
are in very high demand, and anyone trying to acquire one must first prove that
they are worthy.
In addition to his reputation as an accomplished hip hop producer, Fat Sak also
finds work in radio, television, and film. He recently completed a production
contract for a television commercial with Global Network & McDonald’s.
He also produces scores and soundtracks for independent films as well as ads
for commercial radio.
Despite the fact that Fat Sak is very particular about whom he works with, he
managed to find a perfect outlet for his music when he met Memo, a Vancouver-based
rapper who had recently re-located to Montreal. Fat Sak found a voice for his
beats, and Memo found the sound he was searching for. Since then, these two
artists have combined their efforts to create some of the most interesting and
emotionally-driven rap music out there.
Belle
Belle has been composing songs since the age of 7, when she discovered the miracle
of the record button on a scratchy tape recorder. At the age of 13 she begged
to be let into a weekly jazz vocal workshop. Although she was young they took
her on as she displayed considerable talent and enthusiasm. From thereon Belle
began to develop a style which can be heard in her music today. She joined an
Indonesian Gamelan orchestra while working towards her degree in Arts and Cultural
Studies. Studying this early form of music and focusing upon a style which was
not “western” in origin, helped to further expand her understanding
of music.
“When you create or listen to music you are tapping into a huge force.
Music affects everyone’s lives in some way. It’s emotional and spiritual
mathematics.”
Belle composes
her songs using a range of styles. Incorporating at times a mélange of
jazz, hip-hop, house, and drum & bass, her sound is refreshing and underground
but impossible to pin down – very much like her character.
“Writing is
something that has kept me going through life. I have a collection of journals
from when I was a kid. These days my songs have become my journal – each one
being a secret or not so secret memory for me.”
She has worked
with a range of artists and producers such as DJ Mana (DMC Champion, Montreal),
DJ Twitch (Montreal), Mood Therapy (UK), Bailey from Offsides (Montreal) and
Ellory Payne (UK) and has released tracks with ICM Records (Montreal), R2 Records
(UK) and Geniale Recordings (UK).
“I love the
collaborative process and adore the feeling you get when you realize that the
sun is coming up and you are still in the studio bouncing ideas around with
someone and weaving together sounds. It’s such a productive way to use
energy – really magical.”
Belle currently
lives in Montreal, Canada working with ICM Records and collaborating with artists
in Montreal and London, UK.
For more
information: www.lihq.ca