The trio of founders of 4DZ Societez: Alexandre Dani (Quality), Maxime Provost and Éric Fredette (Krazy).
(Photograph: Martin Alarie)
4DZ Societez: To change the face of the hip-hop
Laval hip-hop band is making waves
Three Laval College students have dropped their student stiff collars in place of musical instruments. They form the trio group 4DZ Societez, and are trying to revolutionize hip-hop by recording hip-hop mixed in with rock'n'roll, jazz and big band.
@R:"From the beginning, we wanted to be musicians that went beyond the pattern of simple sequences, beyond naive minimalism. All the members of the group like different music, and so we've developed an international sound. We sing mostly in English, but by integrating other languages. We believe that our music can be exported," said guitarist and singer Alexandre Dani. His stage name is Quality. "We like to talk about self-respect in our songs, and by doing so we break the codes of the genre - in 2008 the idea of a gangster is so over!" said Éric Fredette, alias Krazy, the MC and rapper of the group.
First album
From their basement in Val-des-Brises, the guys have produced a first album,
At last between studios in Laval and Toronto. Net surfers can discover the first extracts from major digital shops or by visiting
www.4dz.ca.
"We wanted to show all our potential. Like our name says we are there to touch all of society, all cultures, all ages," said Maxime Provost, the drummer of 4DZ. The three members make up a group from various cultural roots - Italian, Lebanese and Québécois, and bring cultural influence even beyond their roots to their music.
Contest
Before performing at the last SOBA Gala next to reggae artist Empire Isis, 4DZ Societez was distinguished in several hip-hop contests, including Hip-Hop 4 Ever 2004 in Montreal, where the final took place at the old Spectrum. 4DZ Societez won in the Anglophone and composer-songwriter categories. The group was also covered the following year by Urban Synergy 2005, winning the grand prize of best hip-hop group.
"We're taking our time to make good decisions. This summer, we'll play in some festivals, and do the bar rounds," said the three Laval residents. An album is also in the works for the next autumn.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPH 4DZ
(Photograph: Martin Alarie)
Steven Guilbeault - 
