Quebec
''The Voice of the Barrio'': Cruzito's international project
Since joining forces with Joy Ride Records, Cruzito has won a host of awards.
At Magazine Hip-Hop, our editorial focus is rap. But when an artist coming from the Latin music scene brings together Québec rappers to build a project that some will call experimental and others will see as bold or even borderline risky, it’s something worth looking into.
Over the past few years, something real has been happening in French-language rap: a surge that has paved the way for greater visibility, more media clout and growing recognition for talent from here and abroad.
Montreal welcomes an ambitious project from Cruzito, a key figure in Québec’s urban Latin scene. With La Voix du Barrio, the Honduran-born artist presents a world where French and Spanish blend naturally, driven by sounds shaped by Montreal life and the Latin roots that forged his identity. This new album marks a fresh chapter for someone who, from his Saint-Michel neighborhood, has always made his Montréal foundation a priority.
An international journey before returning home
Born in Honduras, Edi Cruz arrived in Quebec as a child. From an early age, he developed an instinctive relationship with music, nourished as much by 1990s pop as by Quebec radio. His first songs circulated on the web and quickly spread to Latin America. Such was his success that he joined the legendary label Pina Records, including Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha and R.K.M & Ken-Y.
His track Dime Que Sera appears on Masterpiece by R.K.M & Ken-Y, a double-platinum album that led him to perform in front of massive crowds in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and several countries across South America. For more than a decade, he toured the continent as an independent artist, becoming one of the go-to names in romantic reggaeton.
Since joining forces with Joy Ride Records, Cruzito has been stacking achievements: two ADISQ nominations, multiple wins at the Latin Awards Canada, and a steady presence on major stages across the country.
An album entirely focused on the identity of Montreal
La Voix du Barrio reflects Montreal's unique cultural mix. The album moves between reggaeton, afrobeat, urban pop, rap and R&B, without ever diluting the artist's personality. Cruzito y boasts an assertive bilingual style, faithful to the everyday life of the city's multicultural neighborhoods.
The twelve-track project is based on thirteen collaborations that reflect today's musical ecosystem: Rymz, Imposs, Adamo, Dicapri plagueo, Ya Cetidon, MikeZup, LOVA, David Campana, BB Puma, Nissa Seych, St-Prince, O.Z and Gabriella Olivo.
The production features well-known composers from both sides of the continent, including Myztiko, Los Audiokimikos, Kingalexbeats, John-Adam Howard, Gary Wid, Majosty, Agholdencoast, UNRLSDX and Josue Bonilla.
The song Your party and a clip that emphasizes the celebration
Among the standout moments on the album, the track Ta fête, recorded with Rymz, delivers a clear message: let go, drop the pressure, and enjoy the moment. The video, directed by Gab Meunier, features the partners of both artists, Naomi and BB Puma, in a light, carefree setting.
The lyrics, spread over twelve tracks, cover a wide range of themes linked to partying, love and Montreal nights, but also to the intimate realities of an artist torn between two worlds. Songs like La Voz, Carnival, Mami Chu La, Dutty Gyal or Like the last demonstrate the ability of Cruzito to blend his Caribbean influences with the energy of Quebec rap.
The album’s release comes at the end of a busy year for Cruzito, who performed in Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, and also stepped onto the Plaines d’Abraham in Québec City during the Festival d’été’s Latin night. To support La Voix du Barrio, a South American tour is already lined up, with multiple dates in Peru starting in early December.
Now leading Joy Ride Latino alongside Carlos Munoz, Cruzito continues to play a key role in building a real bridge between the French- and Spanish-speaking scenes. With La Voix du Barrio, he pushes that mission even further, delivering a project that brings communities, styles, and languages together with an authenticity that’s entirely his own.
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You wish to see French-speaking rap and pop recognized at GRAMMY Awards ?
Do as Steve Jolin by Disques 7e Ciel, David Dubé by Kartel Musik, Carlos Munoz by Joy Ride Records, Marc-André Fréchette (Ruffneck) from Les Disques BBT, Mitsou, Barnev (backing singer of Céline Dion), Marc-André Niang by Warner Music Africa/France and Dudu Sarr, manager of the renowned Youssou N'Dour nominated for GRAMMY Awards : give your support to the official proposal of Franco Votes for the creation of a new category French music.
The proposed categories are :
• Best French Rap Album of the Year
• Best Francophone pop album of the year
• Best Francophone album of the year
This proposal follows the same logic as the creation of the Latin Music Awards. To support the initiative, sign directly on the official Franco Votes website: BY CLICKING HERE!
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