Filipe: was born Rahim Philippe Baldé, in Montreal, Canada, on January 20th, 1988 and grew up in the south shore of the city, in Saint-Hubert. Filipe started to write songs at the age of 14 as a way to express himself. Because his adolescence was predominantly marked by conflict, his compositions had much more violent content than his present music. Filipe’s life experiences helped him mature and learn how to live life tension free. His main priority is his son’s happiness and his own.


Filipe hit the Supernova stage with full force in March of 2012 for Band on the Run. He stole the hearts of the crowd by running away with first place at the show and he proved to the world that Supernova is not just for rock stars!
Introducing Filipe:

My name is Rahim Phillipe Balde, a.k.a. Filipe, and I am from Montreal, Canada. I've been writing song lyrics since the age of 14, so for about 10 years now. I guess I have always been a very music oriented person, for as long as I can remember, I've been wanting to create my own music.

How long have you been playing live shows?

This show (March 30th at L'Alize) was actually my first live show!

You played with a band at your last show with us. Do you prefer performing solo or with a band? What are the pros to each?

Well, I can't really tell since it was my first show ever. However, I thought it was a good idea to have a band on the first time because it divides some of the pressure. I felt more comfortable knowing that I wouldn't be alone on stage. As for pros of performing alone, I guess coordination in the preparation of a show must be significantly easier..

If I was to put you on the spot and ask you to define your genre, what would you call it?

I would call it Hip-Popton (Hip-Hop, Pop and Reggaeton)

Do you have any major artistic influences?

I have a few since I touch more than one genre of music. The most important would be Eminem, Vybz Kartel and Pittbull, but many others inspire me as well.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a musician?

I would have to say that it's when you hear people singing something you wrote, something that you created.

What is the hardest part about being a musician?

As a songwriter, I would have to say that it's transforming your ideas into words and making them fit properly into a song. Making sure that it's not too simple, not too complex, catchy and has a personal touch added to it.

How did you come across Supernova.com and what would you tell other bands about Supernova?

Michelle from Supernova found me through ReverNation.com and sent me an invitation e-mail to the show at Club L'Alize. If asked, I would tell other bands that they put together great shows and are super supportive to independent artists.

Do you have a motto or recipe foir putting on a good show?

Not yet, but I have to say that a couple of drinks are good to get rid of some of the pressure.

What is your most memorable moment thus far as a musician?

Well, now, I would have to say that night at Club L'Alize. When I did my second to last piece (I Stare and I think), the whole club became really quiet and I felt like I captured everyone's attention. That was great!

What is the funniest/strangest story that you have had at a show?

Again, at Club L'Alize, during the second song, I stepped on my microphone's cord and unplugged it. Luckily, it was during the Hook which my sister was singing, so I managed to plug it back in before I started rapping again.


If you had your way, where would you be in 2 years?

My goal is to simply spread my music as much as possible across the world. I want to travel everywhere and make people enjoy themselves to my compositions. I want to collaborate with artists from different genres and cultures around the world. Basically, I want super-stardom!

In closing,is there anything else that makes your band unique that new listeners should know?

I would have to say that I am the most versatile artist that I know. I have no problem switching from Hip Hop, to pop, to dancehall, to reggaeton. Also, in all of these genres, I am able to discuss different topics without focusing too much on one thing from one song to another. Plus, I find that a lot of music these days does not represent the artist behind it. Whatever I talk about comes from my actual life experiences and I find that to be very important and I make a point of making sure that everything I say is authentic. To me, that is what defines a real artist, and that's the only thing that you'll get from Filipe!

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I stand solidly behind Filipe on a lot of points, especially that music has gone away from being from the heart. There are too many artists out there that sing anything, but nothing beats seeing someone on stage and performing from the heart. When they are singing about life experiences, they are on stage and they put more into it because they are not producing words, they are producing something from the heart. If you get a chance to check Filipe out as he spreads his wings on the Montreal scene, please do. You will not be disappointed!