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Would you be nervous opening for Nelly? Big Remz wasn't (13 photos)

The Sault-born rapper said writing and rapping helped him through his struggle with opioid addiction

When Remo Febbraro – AKA Big Remz – hit the stage Tuesday night to fill the opening slot for Nelly at Soo Blaster, he told SooToday he wasn’t nervous at all.

“I was a goalie in hockey and I’m used to pressure,” he said. “I look at [performing] like it’s the same thing. It’s like going into a game seven playoff game.”

Febbraro was approached by Cabin Media to open the show following the release of his single, Demons. He also had the pleasure of opening for Lil Yachty in London on St. Patrick’s Day. Those two gigs are the highlights of his career thus far, he told us.

The 25-year-old Sault native began writing and rapping about seven years ago as a means of expression and therapy as he struggled with opioid addiction. He’s lost a number of friends to addiction, he said, but was happy to report that he’s been clean for almost five years.

Writing and performing “got me through the long nights,” he said.

“I’m a person that doesn’t like to talk. So anything that I feel I have to say, I’ll just put it into a song. It’s easier that way.”

Interested friends and fans will be happy to know that a lot of those words are now available on Spotify and iTunes after Big Remz dropped is full length release, Rain Cheque, on March 17.

Nelly fans came out in full force while opener and show emcee Robbie G worked the crowd into a lather. Once the headliner hit the stage, the sold out crowd could not be contained as the floor bumped and bounced.

Nelly’s All Work, No Play tour continues on to southern Ontario with shows scheduled Wednesday night at Mavricks Music Hall in Barrie and the Guelph Concert Hall on Thursday.


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Donna Hopper

About the Author: Donna Hopper

Donna Hopper has been a photojournalist with SooToday since 2007, and her passion for music motivates her to focus on area arts, entertainment and community events.
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