Raccoon
His refined European-style lyrics, punchy American-style flow and Haitian cultural background give Raccoon's music a unique richness. In 2016, the young artist released his first rap videos. He took to the stage for the first time at Métropolis, at the community show À voix levée, featuring Dramatik, J. Kyll, Sarahmée and Webster. But it was his many appearances at the Word Up! Battles that Raccoon's talent was quickly spotted. He first released the mixtape Mettre les gants, tuer le croc-mitaine in March 2019 and a few months later launched Gentil pour un noir, his critically acclaimed debut album.
Raccoon's natural talent and committed songwriting, combined with a touch of humour, earned him an enviable reputation as Révélation Rap Radio-Canada 2020-2021. He then went on to release Le set up, a second, more pop-oriented album, evoking current issues such as mental health and the status of women. He also appeared in the finals of the La fin des faibles competition on Télé-Québec in 2021. Coon : la prophétie, the third album, was released in October 2022. Still only 26, Raccoon continues to shine with finesse and depth of spirit.
On a rap scene where caricature often wins out over authenticity, Raccoon (aka Racc City) is following his own path. His European-style textual refinement, punchy American-style flow and Haitian cultural background give his music a sustained richness, the fruit of a life journey that is both rich and meandering.
Born in the Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles borough of Montreal, Shamyr Daléus-Louis grew up in an underprivileged socio-economic environment. Despite their precarious situation, his parents instilled in him a love of words and music, particularly that of legendary Haitian groups such as Carimi and Zenglen - two artists from whom Racc draws inspiration for his approach to melody to this day.
Initially, music was mainly a way of having fun and spending time with his brothers. Influenced as much by the attitude and arrogance of a Booba as by the fine, politicised pen of a Youssoupha, the young artist published his first rap videos on Instagram in 2016 and 2017.
Very resourceful, the fan of Muzion, Connaisseur Ticaso and Loud Lary Ajust began actively looking for opportunities, both free studios and shows. The first time he took to the stage was at Métropolis, as part of À voix levée, a community event featuring Dramatik, J. Kyll, Sarahmée and Webster. Right from the start, the young star was rubbing shoulders with the greats. It was then in the highly formative world of battle rap that Raccoon revealed himself, particularly in the prestigious Word Up! Battles league. His sense of unstoppable rhyme and incisive punch line developed there. Recognised and respected by his peers, in March 2019 he unveiled the mixtape Mettre les gants, tuer le croc-mitaine, which showcased his more savvy and thoughtful side.
Just a few months later, the young rapper presented his first official album, Gentil pour un noir, his first release on the Disques RER label. Well established on the Quebec rap scene, the media and the industry are now taking an interest in him. His enlightened and committed writing, with a touch of humour, has given him a great deal of exposure on listening platforms as well as on community and university radio stations. Radio-Canada wasted no time either: Raccoon was named Révélation rap 2020-2021 by the public network.
2020 also marks the release of a second album. With its more pop musical direction, Le set up presents a Raccoon who is more introspective than ever. A Raccoon who leaves aside the usual rap themes to tackle several emblematic subjects of their time, such as mental health and the objectification of women. Once again, the rapper shows that he has the audacity to think outside the box. In 2021, Raccoon got his feet wet once again, taking part in the first televised edition of the famous international emcee competition End of the Weak, renamed La fin des faibles and broadcast on Télé-Québec. Despite the tough competition, the rapper came through with flying colours, making it all the way to the final.
Now 25, Raccoon continues to evolve with C00N la prophétie, released in October 2022. On this eagerly-awaited third album, his first in over two years, he analyses his background, his surroundings and his society with impressive depth of mind and startling insight.