Joe Rocca is back and stronger than ever after taking some time to redefine his work and develop a well-rounded, introspective concept.
Hybride is one of the most versatile albums ever released by a Quebec rapper. Teaming up with producers Félix Petit (Les Louanges, Hubert Lenoir, etc.), Jean-Michel Frédéric (Dominique Fils-Aimé, Loud, KNLO, etc.) and Worry, the co-founder of Dead Obies emerges as a unique artist, bridging the gaps between pop, rap, funk, soul and R&B.
With his first solo album French Kiss (2017) and extensive experience in the studio and on stage from his time with Dead Obies under his belt, the young man, freshly into his thirties, demonstrates a musical maturity that’s rare for his age. This shines through in the humility and authenticity of his lyrics, which deal with love, relationships and self-reflection.
When it comes to rap, Joe Rocca has nothing left to prove. He first started rapping when he was a teenager, about fifteen years ago, in his high school hallways. He went on to make a name for himself as a battle rapper on Word Up! Battles, before co-founding one of the most important rap groups of his generation: Dead Obies.
The rapper would never put his discipline of choice aside; it’s his first love. But the display of this talent is no longer the focus of his art, his rapping skills now serve the work.
Continuously drawn to paths that take him out of his comfort zone, Rocca first showcased his singing voice on the more sultry, R&B-leaning songs of his 2017 solo debut, French Kiss. Above all, this first solo album was an artistic statement: Joe Rocca is not confined to rap. His musical horizons and aspirations go far beyond this single genre.
For Hybride, he has surrounded himself with new collaborators, seasoned musicians who perfectly complement his musical ideas. With their help, he developed a sound that blurs the line between alternative R&B and rap, with the occasional infusion of funk, boogie, electro or pop. Joe Rocca is now back with a distinctive sound and an artistic vision that is both honest and profound.
