Fredy V & The Foundation is a boundary-pushing musical collective rooted in rhythm, resilience, and cultural richness. Led by Senegalese-Cape Verdean artist Fredy V and longtime collaborator Mel Pacifico, the ensemble features a rotating cast of elite musicians who blend live instrumentation, infectious grooves, and vivid storytelling.
After gaining early momentum in Washington D.C., Fredy V has become a dynamic force in Montreal’s music scene, known for his electrifying stage presence, genre versatility, and collaborative energy. His career includes work with Anomalie, Malika Tirolien, Snarky Puppy, Kool & The Gang, Roy Ayers, and UK neo-soul legend Omar. A near-death health crisis marked a turning point in his path, sparking his transformation from solo artist to visionary leader, bringing together Mel Pacifico and a powerhouse team to form The Foundation.
Since the release of their 2020 debut EP ONE STEP, Fredy V & The Foundation have evolved from a backing band into a full-fledged creative production unit. Their vibrant catalogue draws on their multicultural influences and a shared commitment to innovation. With credits that include national TV performances and collaborations with Canadian artists like Lou Phelps, Shay Lia, Zach Zoya, Aiza, and Kallitechnis, the group continues to carve out space in the country’s growing R&B and Afrobeats scene.
With new music on the horizon through Moonsun Musik, Fredy V & The Foundation are gearing up for a breakthrough year in 2025. Their sound is expansive yet grounded, bridging the rhythms of West Africa, Brazil, and the U.S. through soulful storytelling and a pulse that moves both heart and body.
Name:
Fredy V & The Foundation
Genre:
R&B, Funk, Afrobeats, hip hop
Founded:
2019
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
Latest Single:
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Prince has always been a major influence for us. He showed that you don’t have to stay in one box—you can bend genres, push boundaries, and still stay true to your artistry. Beyond being a complete musician who played everything, his deep connection with his band always stood out. Whether it was The Revolution, The Time, New Power Generation, or 3RDEYEGIRL, he built musical families. That’s something we relate to as The Foundation.
Favourite musician now:
D’Mile hands down. He’s behind some of our favourite records—Lucky Daye, Victoria Monét—and his fingerprints are all over modern soul, from Bruno Mars and Anderson.Paak to India Shawn and Joyce Wrice. He’s a killer bass player, drummer, and producer, and we honestly think we’ll look back at his work as some of the most defining soul music of the last decade.
Guilty pleasure song:
Sabrina Carpenter is very hard to resist. Espresso is laced with crack.
Live show ritual:
Pre-show band huddle-prayer where Fredy talks like we’re about to play a game 7 in the NBA Finals.
Favourite local musician:
Watching Kola evolve has been a real joy. From keyboardist to singer, songwriter, and now producer, he’s become a true character in the city’s music scene. He’s carving out something special and honestly, he’s starting to feel like a national treasure in the making.
EP or LP?
LP
Early bird or night owl?
Night Owl
Road or studio?
Studio
Any shows or albums coming up?
Our next album drops this October, and we just kicked off the rollout with our first single featuring renowned artist-producer Oddisee. It’s been five years since our last release, and in that time, we’ve been travelling, growing, refining our craft, and collaborating across borders. This project captures all of that; it’s a reflection of the journey we’ve been on, and we can’t wait to finally share it.
Where can we follow you?
Band Foundation | Fredy V Music | Mel Pacifico
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Bossa
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Laurier for the parks, restaurants and hidden gems
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Rapids Park or any park along Boulevard Lasalle that gives access to the St-Lawrence River.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Turbo Haus.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Long & McQuade
