Les Colocs (The Roommates) were a Quebec rock band formed in Montreal in 1990 by singer-songwriter André "Dédé" Fortin.
Their lyrics, written in Quebec French, addressed social themes such as poverty, homelessness, HIV/AIDS,[1] and consumerism while maintaining a lighthearted and humorous public image, which contributed to their widespread appeal.
[2] The band gained prominence with their self-titled debut album, selling over 60,000 copies and establishing a reputation for combining sharp social commentary with catchy melodies.
[2] Although often perceived as a "party band," Fortin later emphasized the importance of his lyrics, aiming to balance entertainment with social critique.
[3] He believed in writing from personal experience to create universally relatable songs, a method evident in tracks like La rue principale and Juste une p’tite nuite.