“It’s a big showcase of our artists to celebrate what we’ve accomplished in the last 20 years, and the place we’ve taken in the industry,” says Steve Jolin.
The rise of Disques 7ième Ciel happened gradually and “organically”, with Abitibi-Témiscamingue as its starting point. Because before winning the Félix for Record Company of the Year and Album Production Company of the Year again this year at the ADISQ gala, and before counting some of the MCs in its stable the most popular in Quebec, Steve Jolin rapped under the name Anodajay.
It was also to launch his first album that he founded his label. “A rapper from Rouyn is not the sexiest thing in a style that is generally urban,” admits the businessman. I did it out of necessity because no one wanted to sign me, but I didn’t see 7ième Ciel becoming a label with lots of artists. »
Without knowing it, his meeting with Samian in 2007 – through Loco Locass – would be decisive in the trajectory that his record company would take.
A similar scenario happened with Koriass the following year. He made himself known by distinguishing himself during rap battles (oratory contests) on web forums. “He is perhaps the first Quebec artist who had a real buzz on the internet,” believes the founding president of 7ième Ciel. I invited him to Rouyn for a show, then just before he went on stage, I told him that I would like to work with him. Not long after, we went to lunch at Cora’s and I offered her a contract. »
The arrival of Dramatik, of Muzion, a year later, “legitimized” 7ième Ciel, while the second albums of Samian and Koriass helped to retain fans and generate greater media coverage. In 2010, Anodajay released his third and final album, Et7era, and Steve Jolin left his job to devote himself full-time to his label.
Since this decision, the artists of 7ième Ciel have made the Rap Album of the Year category their own at the ADISQ gala – the Félix only escaped them twice between 2011 and 2020.
In 2015, Koriass was offered the main stage at the Francos, an opportunity he had wanted “forever”. “It was 14 degrees and it was a deluge. I was freaking out, the rapper remembers. But the public was loyal to the post with umbrellas and raincoats. »
“I was with Laurent Saulnier, who was in charge of programming, and he told me: “It’s a waterproof show. No matter the weather, the world was going to be there to see it,” adds Steve Jolin.
The latter obviously hopes that the show at the Bell Center will be as memorable, but assures that it is a “gift”, and not “an end in itself”. “We’ve been going up for 20 years, and then we might be at the highest point. Our artists have never been so popular. I hope to continue for another 20 years, but I don’t want to put pressure on myself. »
In addition to the twenty members of the 7ième Ciel family, guests such as Loud, Imposs, Sarahmée, Tizzo and 5Sang14 will participate in the party. “I’m going to play songs that I don’t usually play live. We are doing a retrospective, so I have no choice but to draw from the repertoire,” explains Koriass.
When it was pointed out to him that only one woman, Modlee, was on the concert poster, Steve Jolin was quick to say that this was something he would like to change. “I am convinced that there will be more [women]. Everything has always happened naturally in the label. »
Koriass believes that the show at the Bell Center is a “course marker.” Steve Jolin believes it is a “symbol”. “We were little ass and we dreamed of it. […] From the moment you are able to earn a good living doing what you love, what more do you want? We must continue to maintain what we have put in place, and that is often the biggest challenge. »
Last outing: Makeshift shelter (for end of the world)
Distinctions: Rap album of the year (Love Suprême, ADISQ gala 2016, and Rue des Saules, ADISQ gala 2014), SOCAN Urban Music prize (2014)
Latest Release: Unconventional
Distinction: SOCAN Hip-Hop/Rap Music Award (2020)
Last release: Zayon
Distinctions: Male performer of the year (2021 ADISQ gala), SOCAN hip-hop/rap music award (2019, tied with Alaclair Ensemble)
Latest Release: Father’s Milk
Distinctions: Rap album of the year (Le sens des mots, ADISQ 2019 gala, and Les Frères Cueilleurs, ADISQ 2017 gala). Members KNLO and Eman x Vlooper won the same award, in 2020 and 2015, respectively.
Latest release: I’m hot
Distinctions: SOCAN Hip-Hop/Rap Music Prize (2021), SOCAN Song Prize (2019)
