A national radio station (24/7) dedicated to French-language rap is launched in Canada.

The music industry is taking a major step for French-speaking Hip-Hop culture. For the first time in history, a national digital radio station entirely dedicated to rap is broadcasting continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the platform. OHdio.

This new channel marks a key moment: it gives French-language rap an official place in the national media landscape, all while focusing on digital listening.

This is also a strong gesture for the French language, still underrepresented in major music distribution structures. Like the initiative Franco Votes, which advocates for the creation of a first category of French-language rap and of French-language pop music to the GRAMMY Awards.

Furthermore, we can find Riff Tabaracci (Olivier Boisvert-Magnen), a journalist and presenter renowned for his commitment to French-speaking Hip-Hop culture. He is at the forefront of the niche Nos classiques, broadcast every morning from (9 to 11am) nine to eleven o'clock and resuming from (3 to 5 hours) three to five hours for night owls. The show revisits the tracks, figures and founding moments of rap, from here and elsewhere, in a spirit of living archive and transmission.

Riff Tabaricci, he's one of the architects behind this historic achievement for French-speaking Hip-Hop culture. Culture needs love, and he's there to give it. Take my word for it: when I read 24 hours a day, I couldn't believe it.

«"It launches today. A completely digital music radio station dedicated to Hip-Hop. Available 24/7 for free on OHdio. " announced Riff Tabaracci on Facebook.

During our phone conversation, he explained to me that adapting to the new digital reality the aim was not to steal the audience of another station, but rather to capture those who move between streaming and listening platforms.

This new channel marks a key moment: it gives an official place to French-language urban music in the national media landscape while focusing on digital listening and the diversity of voices.

The station relies on an experienced team led by Yolaine Maudet, surrounded by Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo, Julio Mendy, Catherine Guay and the duo Nicolas Ouellet and Lacasse, all involved in the musical design and programming.

For Natacha Mercure, general manager of the audio sector at Radio-Canada, this trend reflects new listening habits:

“Radio-Canada’s mission to promote and showcase music is fundamental. More than ever, Radio-Canada must be part of the solution to the challenges related to the discoverability of local artists, and the new music radio stations enrich our offering in this regard,” he emphasizes.Natacha Mercure, Director General of Audio and Radio at Radio-Canada.

The management of Radio-Canada has also confirmed that it does not intend to request new licenses from CRTC to broadcast these channels on the FM band. The objective is clear: to concentrate efforts on digital in order to benefit from greater broadcasting freedom and reach a younger, more connected audience.

The launch begins with Imposs on the show La récréation. The following will follow Mike Shabb, Marieme, Samian, Rowjay, Calamine, Koriass, as well as the teams of Rapolitik and ONZ MTL.

This project illustrates the growing recognition of Francophone Hip-Hop as a cultural pillar in Canada. Riff Tabaracci it occupies a central place, linking the memory of the movement to its current evolution.

The direct link is available on the mobile app.

As for the web version, it will be unveiled later this morning. We're keeping a close eye on it.. The web link is not available yet, but the article will be updated as soon as it is online.

Add Magazine Hip-Hop in your playlist on Spotify.