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Exhibitionists·Video

The legacy of Turbo Crunk, the DJ phenomenon that could only happen in Montreal

The original Turbo Crunk crew — now sought-after DJs and producers — open up about the legendary party that left its mark on the Canadian beatmaking scene.

The beatmakers that started the movement take a look back

CBC Arts ·

This DJ phenomenon could only have happened in Montreal

8 years ago
Duration 3:40
At the Red Bull Music Academy this year, Lunice, Jacques Greene and the original Turbo Crunk crew opened up to CBC Arts about how it all started.

From 2006-2009, a bass-heavy event happened every month in Montreal. It was called Turbo Crunk, and the beatmakers that started it — a list that includes Lunice, Jacques Green, Seb Diamond, Rob Squire a.k.a. 247esp and Andrew Macpherson a.k.a. Ango — went on to be sought-after DJs and music producers. The name of the party became a signature sound, the crew remixing artists like Rihanna with supercharged drums and synths.

The crew behind Turbo Crunk had a reunion this autumn as part of the Red Bull Music Academy, and filmmaker Pablo Aravena caught up with them for CBC Arts. They opened up about why the party could only have happened in Montreal's cultural crossroads, and what that scene has given rise to in the city today.

Pablo Aravena is a Montreal-based producer, director, writer and filmmaker. You can see his other work for CBC Arts here, here and here.

Watch Exhibitionists Sundays at 4:30pm (5 NT) on CBC.

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