Discreetly, DJ White Socks has just released one of the most unique albums in the history of Quebec rap.
First, because it brings together the cream of local MCs, with among others songs from Raccoon, Imposs, 20some, Mike Shabb, RVLR Magz and Jimmie D. The work expresses itself therefore as much in French as in English.
Then, because it is indeed an album and not a compilation of disparate pieces. We’ll come back to that.
The title, Aequanimitas, is a Latin word that translates to “equanimity”, equality of soul, of temper. “It’s emotional balance,” simplifies Christophe Jbeili, aka DJ White Socks.
“My grandfather wrote this word on his epitaph. He was very balanced, very contained, like my father is also, and like I tend to be. That’s why I’m a fan of Roc Marciano,” he adds with a laugh.
White Socks isn’t as talented on the mic and console as the Long Island rapper. However, he knows what he likes and knows the artists capable of creating the music he wants to hear. Armed with his passion for hip-hop and his address book, he designed his first album.
As a teenager, he rapped within the Lupus Clan, which brought together members of LaF. After a few years, White Socks felt that he was missing “something legitimate to say” and abandoned the album project with his brother. “This period still gave me a lasting bug for rap. […] I wanted to contribute to culture, so I bought two SL-1200s and a Pioneer mixer in order to become a DJ. When I returned to UQAM, in 2016, I launched my show [Pôle hip-hop à CHOQ]. »
Thanks to this, his contributions to the old HHQc site and his podcast Mauvaise langue, White Socks met a host of artists. “I have friends and contacts in many sub-cultures of music and, for me, it has always been a great thrill to connect those who at first seem not to have report together. »
This philosophy guided the creation of Aequanimitas, of which he is the artistic director, or curator, as Westside Gunn popularized it. “I have this knowledge of local artists and the audacity that allows me to imagine that they can find themselves if we give them the space. To me, it makes total sense to have Imposs and JRed The Doctor on the same album. They have the same bases, the same musical roots,” explains the 29-year-old creator.
The majority of production is masterfully handled by GenericTM, which has already worked with Eman, KNLO and SeinsSucrer. The latter is also found on the album, just like his French-speaking compatriots Nawfal and Lova.
On the English side, Aequanimitas also benefits from the presence of Mori$$ Regal and Young Rose.
“I wanted to create a work that can be listened to from start to finish, like a film,” he continues.
The interludes produced by GenericTM and nomtks, including those that sample an audiobook by William Osler, add to the cohesion of the whole, which relies on boom-bap and drumless rhythms. “Generic and Figure8 [who recorded, mixed and mastered the album] put countless hours into this project and I’m truly grateful. »
“Christophe does so much to spread this music and this culture,” Figure8 intervenes, sitting with us on the terrace of his studio. I’m really glad I didn’t miss this opportunity. The more it progressed, the more I realized that it was worth giving all this time, because I knew the result would be incredible. »