Lloyd Banks and Lola Brooke are among the hip-hop artists coming to Parc Angrignon on August 8 and 9
Montreal transforms into the Harlem of the North this weekend, as a block party takes over Parc Angrignon on August 8 and 9, bringing together a lineup stacked with hip-hop for a free festival.
Alongside Canadian hip-hop heavyweights like Raz Fresco and Choclair and international talents like Lloyd Banks and Lola Brooke, Harlem of the North will be hosted by local rap staple Dice B, with a host of DJ spinning tunes throughout the weekend.
About 10,000 attendees are expected to attend, with at least 1,000 of them coming from out of town. "With Lloyd Banks and Lola Brooke, we wanted to present two artists who represent both the legacy and the future of New York hip-hop," Harlem of the North founder Kevin Calixte said in a statement about the headliners. "At the same time, it remains essential for us to spotlight Montreal artists, build bridges with Toronto and continue strengthening Canada's hip-hop community."
Check out Exclaim!'s picks for the festival's five must-see acts below. Go to Harlem of the North's website for more information.
Lloyd BanksHarlem of the North's Saturday (August 8) headliner co-founded G-Unit alongside his childhood friend 50 Cent. And just like his buddy, he's also had a formidable solo career stretching back decades.
Lola BrookeSunday (August 9) headliner Lola Brooke is part of the latest wave of NYC rap, having broken out in the 2020s with her viral TikTok hit "Don't Play with It."
ChoclairYou can't tell the story of Canadian rap without Choclair, who has earned four JUNO Awards (and once graced the cover of Exclaim!) over the course of a celebrated career stretching back to the '90s.
Maky LavenderMaky Lavender is holding it down for his hometown, as the bilingual rapper will rep Montreal with his groove-driven, R&B-laced hip-hop.
Raz FrescoHe's been releasing music since he was a teenager, meaning that, at just 31 years old, Raz Fresco already has the gravitas of an elder statesman in Toronto's legendary hip-hop scene.