Quentin Condo

Writing rap lyrics gave him an outlet where he could engage in conversations, make his voice heard, learn from others, and advocate for the rights of Indigenous people. He has also taken part in political demonstrations and served two terms as a Council member in Gesgapegiag. But Quentin soon realized that politics, and the government-imposed system it was part of, wasn’t the right fit for him. He resigned from his political roles, and now lives off-reserve.

Growing up partially in the United States, Quentin was exposed to hip-hop before it hit the commercial mainstream in the 2000s. Conscious hip-hop, with its themes of social change and empowerment, was his primary influence, and Quentin saw parallels between the issues facing Indigenous people and those of Black American communities. With first-hand experience of the challenging living conditions of Indigenous people, Quentin found the most immediate and powerful form of self-expression he was looking for in hip-hop. To illustrate the power of music, he notes how we rarely remember the words of a political speech, whereas performing arts like rap easily imprint themselves on our memory.

Early on, Quentin wanted to share his passion for hip-hop with his community, but his father disapproved. While that didn’t stop him from expressing himself in rap, it meant that he had to remain “underground” and develop his art alongside his friends, in private. Quentin is also a big fan of breakdance, the urban dance form popular with Indigenous youth in his community. In 2018, Quentin released his first album, Rez Life, under his artist name, Q052.

The idea of making an album started out as a joke shared on a fishing trip. Quentin even goes so far as to say that fishing is his true passion: it’s the core of his worldview and a unique way to understand life, and test our patience. Every part of a fishing trip can be seen as an artistic process: handing down knowledge, forging a connection with nature, developing an understanding of the environment, creating memories, and of course working toward a goal which may or may not be achieved.

Fishing also reminds Quentin of his father, and of the importance of sharing. Essentially, fishing is a way to honour his ancestors. “You have to think about the size of the salmon. You have to think about how good the salmon tastes. You can’t let yourself think that there won’t be any fish today,” says Quentin. He applies the values of fishing to his art, maintaining a connection to the land.

And music? It’s like a weapon used to keep up the fight for Indigenous rights. His father took up the fight using political means. While Quentin may approach it from a different angle, his heart is fully in it, and he’s ready for anything.
Quentin’s father may have been blind to the benefits of music, but the arts can change the world. Today, Quentin is still working hard to hone his lyrics, and passing on his values and knowledge to his children with his music—and of course by going fishing as often as possible.