Who is City Fidelia?
Montreal-born and Ottawa-raised, Luigi Fidelia, professionally known as City Fidelia, is a musical artist, entrepreneur and community builder.
What’s his background?
Fidelia is not only a rapper but the co-founder of the House of Ensemble, a local organization committed to supporting Ottawa’s music scene, the Black community and lower-income population.
It mainly consists of a record label, House of Ensemble Records, a collaborative artist space called The clubHouse and non-profit initiatives for Black youth and the city’s artists. The organization calls itself “an infrastructure for rising talents.”
What’s he known for in Ottawa?
Fidelia is one of the few Ottawa-bred artists to reach heights such as working with famed hip-hop producer and rapper, Timbaland. His passion for the city’s musical artists, Black and inner city youth, has added to his local reputation.
“I feel like my responsibility is to continue to tell our story and to create equal opportunities so eventually even if you’re from a lower-income environment you feel, you know, you have a chance,” Fidelia told Capital Current.
What do people say about him?
Fidelia’s efforts to invest in Ottawa haven’t gone unnoticed. In August, local Afro-rapper Banggz released an album including a song featuring Fidelia, called GOLDEN CHILDREN. For Banggz, having Fidelia on the record was about much more than music.
“It was important for me to include the perspective of such an important artist and community figure on my album. I want to show people how things work out and [how] united we could be,” Banggz told Capital Current.
Many beyond the music community have also recognized Fidelia’s love for Ottawa.
“People call City [Fidelia] ‘The Major,’” said Sharlène Clarke, the founder of Hors Pair Social, an Ottawa Black-owned social group. “Because wherever he goes he just reps Ottawa really hard.”
What’s a lesser known fact about him?
Making music can be a hobby or one of many plans. But music was always Fidelia’s primary goal.
“This music thing was always the plan A, and B and C,” said Fidelia. “When you really love something, you’re willing to deal with all the ups and downs that come with it.”
