Aswell, a young rapper from Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, still can’t believe that he will be opening for the legendary French rap group IAM on August 29 at Parc Jean-Drapeau. “It’s 100% surreal,” confides the 25-year-old singer.
If Louis Lussier, alias Aswell, is a little too young to have grown up with the music of IAM, that does not prevent him from being well aware of his chance to open the show for this important formation in the universe French-speaking hip-hop.
“This is completely crazy. It’s a group that I studied with an interest in the history of rap and I know what IAM represents for an entire generation. The school of micro money is the most influential rap album in France, and surely throughout the French-speaking world. They are the best, people and artists larger than life,” he says.
Aswell promises to deliver the 30-minute performance “as energetic and dynamic as possible” during this OfF Piknic event organized by Piknic Électronik.
“If I can meet the members of the group, I will tell them that I am available for shows in France. But I don’t want to impose myself, that’s not my style. I rather let my actions speak for me. Give the best show can help me get noticed and then have a discussion with them,” he explains.
The idea of having Parc Jean-Drapeau as a “concert hall” is also “really cool” for someone who is used to attending shows on the same site, at the Osheaga festival.
Dream come true
Aswell fulfilled one of his dreams by performing at the Francos de Montréal last Friday. It was a first experience in front of a large crowd (200,000 people) for the artist who released his first album, Suburbin March 2024.
“When I was young, I often went to the Francos to see lots of shows. So, to be there is something. With the DJ from my early days in rap, it was great,” says the creator, who received a gold record for his piece. Leaving.
The young rapper took the opportunity to bring his two parents on stage to publicly thank them for always encouraging him to pursue a career in song.
What does he want to accomplish in the next five years? “I would like to have traveled a long way in France, to have released one or two albums, to still be able to make a living from my music and to have gone from opening act to headlining major concerts,” he says.
Cover of Aswell’s “Banlieue” album
Photo provided by NAT CORBEIL PROMOTION
