Music

Passionate about music since I was young, I was immersed in rap (both French and American) of the 90s. Throughout my teenage years, I mainly listened to French rap. I even started writing my own lyrics at the age of 14 and spent a few years wanting to go further by forming a collective.

Then, years later, after a sort of rap genre overdose, my tastes diversified; afro beats, kompa, coupé décalé, reggae, electro, funk, soul, and more. I explored a bit of everything, although not necessarily all music genres (I've never been particularly into rock, hard rock, metal, etc.).

With this page, I wanted to revisit the artists, collectives, singers, and rappers who have left a mark on me and inspired me, from the 90s to today.

Each image is linked to a PLAYLIST of the respective artist and/or group (via Spotify), simply click on it.

The Elders of French Rap

French rap experienced its golden age in the late 90s and early 2000s, and it's during this time that the rappers and collectives were the most authentic (in my opinion). The first groups and rappers I listened to and appreciated were NTM, TSN, Doc Gyneco, and Assassin. Then came the Time Bomb collective, Lunatic, Oxmo, Xmen, Hifi, followed by other rappers like Disiz and Ol Kainry, and other collectives like Saïan Supa Crew, l'Skadrille, or even le Ménage à 3, not forgetting the iconic Marseille groups IAM and FF.

This list, like the following ones, is not exhaustive. It's a selection of my favorite artists, although there are others where I enjoyed some tracks, but they're not listed here (such as NAP, Chiens de Paille, 3e Oeil, Youssoupha, Pit Baccardi, and others).

the new generation of French Rap

After going through various periods of more or less rap, I discovered new artists and groups in the 2010s/2020s. Few rappers make me vibe like before, to be honest, but it's a matter of taste. My criteria have become more refined over time, and I find it harder to appreciate new artists. But there are some that have surprised me; like MZ, PNL, Josman, 13 Block, or Lefa (solo).

Some rappers and groups from the previous list still exist, and some have gone solo. I sometimes included an image of the group, but not always of the solo artist. Others have navigated between the two eras (old school and new school) like Booba, Kery James, or Disiz. Regardless, there were more collectives before than now. You can see with these two slideshows that most rap artists today are solo.

Well, and I included Naza because he started in rap, and even if he has his own style, he got me hyped on several tracks. And I didn't include Alkpote and Joke (Ateyaba) because even though they have some good tracks, I find them too explicitly satanic (even if others are too, but more implicitly).

Rap US

Like most people of my generation, we all listened to more or less US rap, if only on the radio. But just like French rap, I've had more active periods than others. And later on, being fully bilingual, my tastes evolved.

Some artists or songs that I liked didn't hold the same value for me when I didn't click on the lyrics. So, this list represents most of the groups and rappers that I listened to a lot and appreciated. Few are from the new generation, and to be honest, I struggle with today's US rap (2020s).

Everything else - VRAC -
Electro, Variété, Kompa, Saleg, Funk, Soul...

Now that's quite a melting pot!

With very eclectic musical tastes, I've put together this fourth section which gathers everything I love outside of rap. And it ranges from Jacques Brel to Norah Jones, passing through Kassav, Koffi Olomide, Buena Vista Social Club, Bob Marley, Aaliyah, Daft Punk, ... and a few soundtracks from movies and games ;)

Bouginz & Bougzer

Waiz Lucky

R +

Artists to discover

Bouginz & Bougzer, a duo of two friends, two rappers since their teenage years, who plan to make their mark in the rap game in the years to come. Conscious rap, engaged rap, whatever the label, the essential is to convey a message and a certain vibe. Both hailing from the 77 area code, they have been based in Montreal for over 10 years. After recording their first track in 2019, they plan to release an EP in 2024. Stay tuned...

Waiz Lucky is a rap artist who excels in the field, having started nearly 20 years ago. He has appeared on several projects with various artists from the 77 area code (including Gkill from 2 Bal). His music career has never really taken off due to multiple periods where he put his projects on hold. Nevertheless, he has nothing to prove in terms of his MC skills, whether it's in writing, flow, or live performances.

R+ is another MC from the 77 area code who has honed his skills in recent years by releasing several gangsta rap tracks, along with some featured appearances. His desire to excel and his determination make this rapper a rising star to watch. He has several other projects planned in the near future.

DJ VAVRE

DJ VAVRE is a visionary music producer who blends artificial intelligence with human creativity to push the boundaries of music. By crafting tracks across various genres like rap, pop, zouk, afro, and house in multiple languages, DJ VAVRE aims to compete with traditional artists and redefine what music can be. His work is not just about creating songs but also about promoting innovation and challenging the status quo in the music industry.

DJ HEY HI

DJ HEY Hi breaks the codes and reinvents the rules of music production. Through a unique fusion of human emotion and AI-driven innovation, DJ HeyHi creates sounds that push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in music. His debut single, Dreaming Nights, captures the essence of a new era, where technology and creativity come together to deliver an unparalleled sonic experience.

Reesto / Classé Sombre

Reesto is an MC from the 77 area in France. Active in the underground scene since the late 1990s, he has released several projects available on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. His style embraces raw rap, rejecting bling and superficial glamour. He is also a member of the group Classé Sombre, alongside his longtime collaborator Osgar. You can find his Spotify profile by clicking the link.

DJ HEY HI

REESTO

Endorphine

ENDORPHINE

Endorphine’s music is defined by its alternative pop aesthetic. The band creates music carried by lyrics filled with emotion and nostalgia. Their songs explore both interpersonal relationships and one’s relationship with oneself. Music and lyrics blend together in perfect harmony, creating a dreamy, colorful, and immersive atmosphere. Alexandre Tardif is joined by Zachary Loubert, Thaddy B. Lavoie, Maude Vézina, and Philippe Tanguay, who each bring their own artistic touch and expertise to the songs, resulting in unique and creative arrangements.

DJ MISSILE

DJ MISSILE is an underground DJ based in Bangkok, Thailand. Active for many years, she delivers raw and carefully curated hip-hop sets, ranging from classic boom bap to more recent underground sounds. Known for her deep digging and sharp musical taste, her mixes often feature rare and hard-to-find tracks that escape mainstream algorithms. DJ MISSILE regularly performs live on Twitch and shares her mixes on YouTube, offering an authentic and uncompromising hip-hop experience.

DJ MISSILE