Louie F. on “The Man Dem Show” R&B’s Decline, Toronto’s Music Scene, and the Drake vs. Kendrick Beef

Artist and DJ Louie F. joins “The Man Dem Show” for an in-depth interview covering a wide range of topics. He shares his strong opinions on the state of R&B, attributing its decline to the financial allure of EDM and the “microwave era” of instant hits. Louie F. also delves into the challenges faced by artists in the Toronto music scene, citing a lack of promotional platforms. He discusses his own music, which he describes as “Happy Trap,” and the creative process behind his single “Saturday to Saturday”. A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to the recent Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef, with Louie F. arguing that Drake did not lose the battle and that the media narrative was skewed. The interview also touches on his personal life, including fatherhood, the importance of family, and his passion for sports.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – 00:01:03: Discussion on R. Kelly being the “King of R&B” and the undeniable quality of his music.
00:01:03 – 00:03:40: The decline of the R&B genre due to the rise of EDM and the “microwave era.”
00:03:40 – 00:05:12: The shift in lyrical content in music, from begging to a “demon” persona.
00:05:57 – 00:07:47: Louie F. discusses his merchandise and the weirdness of the Toronto scene regarding support for local artists.
00:08:21 – 00:09:24: Louie F. talks about his previous interview during the COVID-19 lockdown.
00:11:30 – 00:12:34: Introduction to Louie F., his background, and his start in DJing and music.
00:13:27 – 00:14:03: Description of his music style as “Happy Trap.”
00:16:18 – 00:17:29: The politics of DJing in Toronto and playing certain artists.
00:17:29 – 00:21:23: The responsibility and challenges of a DJ breaking new artists.
00:21:23 – 00:23:06: Dancehall as the most consistently successful genre in Toronto clubs.
00:28:11 – 00:30:27: The challenges of expecting a child and the breakup with his son’s mother.
00:35:45 – 00:41:44: Promotion of his new single “Saturday to Saturday” and the story behind its creation.
00:41:44 – 00:48:32: Louie F.’s passion for sports, including his thoughts on the WNBA and the children of famous athletes.
00:50:11 – 00:51:56: The importance of family and his Jamaican background.
00:58:14 – 01:00:14: Comparison of the US and UK rap scenes and the evolution of the “Toronto sound.”
01:01:56 – 01:05:40: In-depth discussion on the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar beef and why he believes Drake won.
01:08:31 – 01:09:51: Where to find Louie F. on social media and his weekly DJ residencies.