Celebrated hip-hop act Q052 is gearing up for a career-defining series of shows in the United Kingdom, starting on 12 May at the Strongroom Bar in London. Q052 will be performing from 12 to 16 May in London and Brighton, including a performance at the renowned four-day music festival The Great Escape. Known for his gripping live performances, he shared the stage with iconic acts like Cypress Hill. He has also graced the stages of major festivals such as FEQ, La Noce, OFF Québec, Innu Nikamu, Festival Kwe!, FME, Festival Bleu Bleu, and Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée.
His music has previously gained radio support from the likes of BBC Radio 6’s Don Letts’ Culture Clash Radio, NPR Music and landed numerous features on Radio Canada. Q052 has been supported by influential publications such as CLASH Magazine, Journal de Montréal, The Spill Mag, PLAYY. Magazine and Le Canal Auditif. Further, he was crowned the winner of Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the 2023 International Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards. He has earned numerous prestigious nominations, including Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 2021 ADISQ Gala, and nods at the 2022 Teweikan Gala in both the Expressive Music Artist/Group and Blues/Rock Artist/Group categories. His album also earned a 2022 GAMIQ nomination in the Hip-Hop Album category.
Quentin Condo came up with his stage name by combining the initial of his first name with 052 – the number assigned to his Indigenous First Nations community. Born and raised in Gesgapegiag, Gaspésie, and now based in Sherbrooke, Canada, Q052 is a fierce advocate for Indigenous peoples, particularly the struggles faced by youth and the protection of Indigenous women and girls. His father, also a musician, inspired him to pick up a guitar at age 3. With many family members involved in music, Q052 grew up surrounded by Irish, Mi’gmaq, and country songs, along with Catholic hymns from his time in US Catholic schools. Hip-hop is his true passion, however. Spending part of his life in the US and part on the reserve, he introduced hip-hop culture to his community, inspiring friends to breakdance and explore the genre.
Drawing from a kaleidoscope of influences – including Ty Segall, Immortal Technique, Cypress Hill, Black Sabbath, and Rage Against the Machine, amongst others – Q052 crafts a sound that is raw, searing and deeply political. On stage, Q052 channels this explosive energy into visceral performances that confront Indigenous identity, social justice, and personal struggle with unflinching honesty. His fusion of hip-hop, grunge, alternative rock and spoken word, wrapped in sharp, uncompromising lyricism, is sure to resonate with fans of other inspirations of his: Public Enemy, Run DMC, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard.
Q052 shared: “I’m super stoked to go over to the UK. The scene over there is raw and unapologetic, the punk scene is alive, it’s raw, people understand the concept of having to speak loud and to be real to ask for change. I hope it opens doors to go play with my whole band in the future!”
Q052 Upcoming Live Dates:
May 12th 2026 – Strongroom Bar – Canada House – London, UK – Tickets: info here
May 14th 2026 – The Brunswick – Brighton, UK – Tickets: info here
May 16th 2026 – The Great Escape – Brighton, UK – Tickets: info here
