Get to know 2022 Francophone Album of the Year nominee, FouKi in our “7 Questions With” series where we speak with first-time JUNO Award nominees from all genres.
FouKi (Léo Fougères) est né à Montréal le 25 décembre 1996 dans le secteur Est de l’arrondissement du Plateau-Mont-Royal, le Plato Hess.Bienvenue dans l’univers de FouKi, à la rencontre des murmures de la ruelle, de la douce folie des parcs, du vacarme de la ville, de l’écho des régions.
L’inspiration musicale de FouKi est plurielle : d’ici et d’ailleurs, du Québec et de la France, des Amériques et du monde, à l’écoute des sons et des mots qui se bousculent, se croisent et s’entrecroisent, de la chanson à texte québécoise au folk et au rock, du blues au jazz, de la musique latine, du reggae au R&B, jusqu’au trap, au hip-hop et au rap… puis le Rap Queb!
1. How did it feel to be nominated for a JUNO?
As I like to say : I feel Super Zay about it ! It is an honor for me to represent the rap made in Quebec at the JUNO for the ‘’Francophone Album of The Year’’ alongside great artists from my province like Coeur de Pirate, Roxane Bruneau, Louis-Jean Cormier and Vincent Vallières.
2. Which album made you want to become a working musician?
Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
3. What are 3 items you require when you’re on-tour?
Weed, weed and weed.
What do you think is the best song you’ve ever released? What’s the story behind it?
My song called ‘’Bijou’’, because everything that I like about a song is in it. It’s difficult to explain but I would say that we have made a perfect balance between the combination of music, lyrics, and melodies in this gem.
Which artist(s) would you like to collaborate with most?
Drake or The Weeknd.
What has been your favorite performance of your career?
My recent sold-out MTELUS in Montreal on April 2th, 2022, it is so far the biggest venue I did in my hometown. Because of the pandemic in 2020, we had to postpone this show two times before it really happens. The ambiance was incredible. What a night to remember!
What’s next for you?
My debut as a first-role comedian in a web series call ‘’La mélancolite’’, available on Tou.TV on April 27th. A lot of festivals this summer with QuietMike and Pops (my guitarist) and a new album on the way by the end of the year.
Tickets for The 2022 JUNO Awards are on sale now! Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of Canadian music hosted by Simu Liu on May 15th.