Waahli

Waahli is a Montreal-based artist of Haitian origin whose musical inspiration is rooted in a childhood enriched by traditional melodies. However, it is through hip-hop culture that he finds his voice and develops a unique and captivating style.

In 2004, he co-founded Nomadic Massive, an iconic group in Montreal’s hip-hop scene. Alongside this collective journey, Waahli felt the need to embark on a solo project to further explore his artistic identity.

In 2018, he released his debut album, Black Soap, followed in 2020 by the EP Soap Opera. These works, performed in English, French, and Haitian Creole, boldly blend rap and afrobeat while paying tribute to his Haitian roots.

In 2022, Waahli returned with Soap Box, an introspective and socially conscious album born from deep reflections during the pandemic. This intimate project once again highlights his profound connection to his culture and heritage.

In 2023, he released Saponification, a vibrant EP exploring themes such as solidarity within the Haitian diaspora, the celebration of his journey, and the importance of listening to one’s inner self. The project skillfully combines reggae, hip-hop, and Haitian funk, once again showcasing his musical inventiveness.

In May 2023, Waahli was named one of six Radio-Canada Revelations for 2023-2024. In 2024, he received significant recognition, including a nomination at the Gala de l’ADISQ for Best Album of the Year – Multilingual and Other Languages and a Juno Awards nomination for World Music Album of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Emerging Songwriter Prize presented by Amazon Music and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Waahli is the recipient of the Global Music Award at the 34th edition of the SOCAN 2025 Gala.

With his ancestral rhythms, stunning performances, and incisive lyrics, Waahli offers alternative hip-hop that transports listeners across the globe. On stage, he captivates audiences with his generous interaction and contagious energy, showcasing cultural diversity.

In 2025, Waahli once again pushes artistic boundaries with Seven Bubbles, a bold opus that explores new aesthetic and sonic horizons.

SEVEN BUBBLES is an album that marks a musical evolution and the exploration of new territories for Waahli in 2024. It is accompanied by eclectic sound aesthetics ranging from traditional Haitian fusion to funk, rap and electro. Darker, purer atmospheres are also present. The piano, present on several tracks, evokes the nostalgia of the lyrics while preserving Waahli's musical signature, at the crossroads of Afro-rap and Caribbean music. With this new opus, Waahli invites you to celebrate every moment! It tackles profound themes such as courage in the face of various trials, impermanence, failed love, the importance of taking one's time, and recalling vivid memories of Haiti.

In addition, the music video for his single Impermanence is now live! The visually stunning video perfectly captures the themes of impermanence and change, which are at the heart of the song.

Waahli has been nominated for the 2024 Juno Awards for Best Album of the Year in the Global Music category.