Without a shadow of a doubt, July is the best month of summer. We start it off with Canada Day festivities and end it with the promise of another month of sun! With the bright sun and vacation vibes there are two questions on everyone’s mind: how do I get ride of these damn mosquitoes and where should I go for festival season?
OFF! Deep Woods Mosquito Repellent is the best brand, and Ottawa Bluesfest, plain and simple, is undisputedely the biggest festival to attend.
With past showings by 50 Cent, Migos, Kanye West, Future, Chance the Rapper and Action Bronson, Bluesfest has established itself as a sure bet to find top billed hip-hop acts. Being featured on WorldStarHipHop and even Snoop Dogg’s Instagram page, Ottawa’s biggest music festival has transcended from a local spectacle to a national treasure for music fans.
What can hip-hop fans expect for the 2018 line up? A mix of local up-and-comers, hip-hop legends and some Black Beatles. Shows that are going to be Unforgettable.
HipHopCanada and CapCityHipHop are coming togther to profile each of the hip-hop acts performing at this year’s event; Giving you the insight and knowledge before you get your ticket or festival pass.
Bluesfest 2K18, lets do it!
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Written by Jean-Luc Ducamp for HipHopCanada and CapCityHipHop
Ottawa Bluesfest – Key Performances
Morris Ogbowu
Friday, July 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.
Nigerian-born, Ottawa based rapper Morris Ogbowu, delivers the kind of cosmopolitan hip-hop/future-soul usually reserved for North America’s, larger, competitive club-scapes: Atlanta, Toronto, LA, Queen’s. With a glorious, cascading flow, Morris glides along jazz-infused beats, juggling hot syllables, percussive and free. In his short career, he’s already snagged some Ottawa-based festivals, as well as opening slots for the likes of Jazz Cartier and Chicago’s Alex Wiley.
Follow @MorrisOgbowu on Instagram.
Cody Coyote
Sunday, July 8 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.
Cody Coyote was born on April 17th, 1992, raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and is of Ojibwe/Irish descent with ancestry from Matachewan First Nation. With his fusion of strong, profound lyricism accompanied by corresponding influential sounds, this Hip- Hop/Electronic recording artist and songwriter grasps his listeners’ attention in various ways and delivers a mesmerizing performance. While being actively engaged in the industry for over four years, Cody Coyote’s journey includes being up for nominations in the “Best Rap/Hip-Hop CD” and the “Single Of The Year” categories at the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards. Since then his career has brought him to platforms such as the Juno showcase held at the Ottawa Music Summit on March 30th, 2017 and a performance at the National Arts Centre on January 25th, 2018. Cody Coyote’s recent album release entitled “Mamawi” means “All Together” in Anishinaabemowin. “Mamawi” reflects in a manner to initiate positive change through reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous people, togetherness, love and unity.
Follow @CodyCoyote613 on Instagram.
TAPAS
Sunday, July 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.
Hailing from Canada’s capital, TAPAS is serving up good music. Two of Ottawa’s finest emcees have combined their talents to create a sonic experience served over beats by Jeepz. Hyf is a multi-talented rapper, poet and producer originally from El Salvador. He is part of the Missing LinX crew and two time Canadian Festival of Spoken Word Finalist. G.Grand is an emcee whose thoughtful lyrics and precise delivery have earned him respect in Ottawa’s hip-hop scene and led to appearances opening for legends Nas and De La Soul. Jeepz is a prolific beat maker who has released over 50 instrumental albums and produced tracks for Blu, Homeboy Sandman and Ghettosocks. He is a two time Ottawa Beat League champion. The trio’s self-titled debut balances lyricism with a mix of contemporary and boom bap production that bridges rap’s generation gap.
Follow @iamjeepz, @ggrandmc, and @xolpueblo on Instagram.
Roland Prince
Tuesday, July 10 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.
Ottawa native Roland Prince is a proud weirdo. Coming from a background in stage acting, poetry and classical piano, Roland takes pride in creating unique sounds to alter his hip-hop sound, and make new feelings in his production. This combined with his lyricism, flow, and overall innovative style make him an up and comer to keep an eye on.
Follow @RolandThePrince on Instagram.
City Fidelia
Tuesday, July 10 from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.
Part raw, street poet and soulful RnB singer, City Fidelia is an artist whose music and storytelling defies traditional labels. An Ottawa native, now residing in Toronto, the rapper/songwriter’s humble upbringing is naturally woven into the fabric of his music and the stories he tells through his art. City’s ability to be vulnerable and authentic in his lyricism, telling stories about his own struggles and the unspoken nuances of modern life, is grounded in his goal to inspire inner-city youth to leave the path of hardship in order to pursue their dreams. He also spearheads Ensemble, a collective of creatives in music, fashion and art working on a singular mission: to bring people together and teach that anything is possible through art. With so many exciting ideas and so much music lined up, Fidelia, is ready to stick his head out and establish his name in the industry, in his own inimitable way.
Follow @CityFidelia on Instagram.
Black Iri$h
Friday, July 13 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.
The only thing that matches BLACK IRI$H’s ambition is his versatility. The self-taught singer and songwriter has spent the last three years honing his craft. His home studio has seen him lay down fresh tracks night after night, recording a new song every day. With a background in business administration, and an entrepreneurial streak, his natural instinct for success has guided him well. A few months after he began working with THE CAVE STUDIO, they were introduced to Matt Khayze. The 21 year old owner of guerilla marketing and clothing company, Far From Average (also known as “ HASHTAG FFA”), had an interesting business proposal. After weeks of meeting up and working together, the three decided to partner up, pool their resources, and use their expertise and skills to create something Ottawa has never seen before. BLACK IRI$H and his crew are here to show not only Canada but the world the talent that is often overlooked or underappreciated. He wants to see people living their dreams and owning their potential. Music isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life. With his creative spirit and tireless work ethic, this is surely only the beginning of this tenacious artist’s journey.
Follow @BlackIrish613 on Instagram.
Aspects & Rita Carter
Friday, July 13 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Black Sheep Stage.
Aspects and Rita Carter have been making music together for over 10 years now and have been involved in Ottawa’s music scene very heavily. Aspects is a Native American and Rita’s roots hail from Africa and both musicians are very passionate about their craft. Very soulful with a touch of blues and hip hop. Aspects has also worked with many legends such as the Wu Tang Clan, Bone Thugs , The Band, Ovo, G Unit and Shady Records.
Follow @TheAspects and @RitaCarterMusic on Instagram.
Hevve
Saturday, July 14 from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the City Stage
Although I’ve been a lifetime poet, I started working in music professionally in 2013. With three mixtapes (The Transition, Transition 2 and Late Nights Cold Drinks), five EPs (Year Of The Bangers Vol. 1-4 and Reservoir Dogs) and over two dozen features (including one with Peter Jackson, recently) under my belt, I have built my repertoire into one that promises professionalism and true passion from my team and I. With performances that range from Caribana and opening for N.O.R.E, to local bar shows, I can say that I’ve seen it and done it all.
Follow @Hevve on Instagram.
Check out the official site OttawaBluesfest.ca.
