Joseph Sauve (submitted photo/Joseph Sauve)

By Nigel Maxwell

Chasing the dream

Prince Albert hip hop artist shortlisted in international contest

Aug 22, 2023 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Joseph Sauve is hitting all the right notes.

Better known to his fans as Joey Fresh, he’s currently competing in the international Opening Act contest and is now in the third round of voting among four others in his group. The contest winner gets $10,000 and will perform at a major concert event in New York.

“I just entered it thinking anything could happen and all of a sudden I made it to top 20 then 15 and 10 and now five,” he told paNOW.

Sauve started making music when he wad 15 and has fond memories of the Warrior Spirit Walking program at P.A. Outreach. While doing presentations, Sauve would often perform a couple songs.

“That’s the very first time I started performing in front of groups. We would go to schools all over Saskatchewan,” he said, noting the message was anti-gang violence.

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Describing his own style as versatile, Sauve recalled freestyling in high school at parties.

“I would always have a group of people around me, always asking me to rap. I still get that actually,” he said.

(Submitted photo/ Joseph Sauve)

In addition to a personal battle with drugs and alcohol, which left Sauve with heart and liver failure, Sauve has also suffered personal loss. Sauve was 12 when his father passed away and just recently his mother passed from a stroke.

“I’m finally in the healing stage being able to fulfill my dream cause my mom was my number one fan and main supporter. She always pushed me to go the extra mile and this would be a dream come true to perform in front of thousands of people,” Sauve explained.

Sauve also acknowledged something that started out as a hobby has evolved into something more and has become a career path. In addition to multiple sold out solo shows, Sauve has also opened for big names including Machine Gun Kelly, Fatty Wap, Redman and Method Man, Xzibit and Insane Clown Posse. In October, Sauve will travel to Calgary and open for Classified.

“It’s just crazy because i was a kid listening to all these people and all of a sudden I’m on stage with them,” he said.

If he wins, Sauve said he would use the money to pay off bills and put the remainder towards a vehicle. He also noted the exposure that could come from radio play and performing at the Audacy “We Can Survive” show in October that will feature such artists as Maroon 5, One Republic and Kelly Clarkson. Noting the youth who may be watching, Sauve said he hopes he can inspire them to follow their dreams.

“Just never give up. Anything is possible. You can be broke one day, release one song and there you go. Everybody knows you all of a sudden,” he said.

The most recent round of voting wraps up on Thursday night, and the contest winner is expected to be announced on or around Sept. 27. People can vote once a day or can pay for unlimited votes.

Money raised through the contest supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell