Not everyone loves rap but the people that do, they really LOVE rap. And they want to discover new rappers from around the world. Do you know the best French rappers? If you want to learn about some of the best French rappers that are very popular with the French and English crowds, read below.
French Rappers You Need To Listen To
There are so many excellent underground rappers from all over the world but it’s hard to know about them because of the American rappers that are so popular. Luckily, we’re here to help you expand your rap horizon… Here are some of the best French rappers of 2010s, from Paris to Montréal.
Loud
Loud used to be a member of the rap band Loud Lary Ajust (LLA) but a few years ago, the group was put on hold so both he and Lary Kidd could work on their solo careers. Since then, his career has skyrocketed even more. With more than 2 million views, his song 56K from his EP New Phone was a huge success and was quickly followed by his studio album Une année record which came out in late 2017 and was also very well received. Since then he has acquired a large following in Quebec as well as in France, becoming one of the best French rappers.
PNL (Peace N’Lovés)
Have you heard of PNL? This French rap band consisting of two brothers, Tarik and Nabil Andrieu, was formed in 2014. They grew up in difficult circumstances: their father served an 8-year sentence for being involved in a robbery, and their mother was absent. Their first album, Que la famille, was released in 2015, but their second album Le monde chico, released at the end of 2015, was certified gold. Their sound is often compared to Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and Brian Eno. Their video clips on Youtube have millions and millions of views and since they communicate directly with their fans, even people who don’t love rap, know them and love them. There are among the best French rappers of 2010s.
Sianna
The 23-year-old rapper is originally from Mali, but she was adopted by a French family a few months after she was born. She started her rap career by writing songs for others, then was part of the Crack House rap group before she released her first solo EP Diamond Noir. Her songs are very much about her past personal experiences in Africa and her friendships. What makes her stand out is her very rapid flow.
FouKi
This 21-year-old Montrealer recently joined Disques 7e Ciel, the record company of many important Quebecer rappers like Koriass, Alaclair Ensemble, KNLO and Manu Militari. This young talent is very promising. We think you should keep an eye on him because soon he will explode in the French rap scene. His music is inspired by listening to music in the car with his Haitian stepfather. The flow of the Creole language inspires him and influences his music choices immensely.
Booba
Elie Yaffa, known under the name of Booba, is a Senegalese and French rapper. He first started his rap career with the rap group Lunatic (with his friend Ali). Their first album in 2000 was critically acclaimed but they disbanded in 2003 to work on their solo careers. Known as the most legally downloaded artist in the history of French music, he is known for his beats and flows. However, his lyrics are sometimes criticized because of their controversial nature. He is heavily influenced by rappers like Mobb Deep, the Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac, and Biggie Smalls.
Koriass
Koriass is one of the most well-known French Canadian rappers. He was nominated at the Junos (Canadian version of the Grammy Awards) for Francophone Album of the Year. Thanks to videos of his rap battles on the internet, his reputation and popularity grew. He is known as a feminist, a voice for social justice and a sovereignist which he expresses freely through his music. Known for his Franglais rap (allowing a few English words to slip into his French flows), it distinguishes him from other French rappers from France or other European countries.
Lacrim
Lacrim, this French rapper with Algerian roots, has had a hard life. He was twice imprisoned, once after being found in possession of a Kalashnikov gun and the second time after he doesn’t present himself in court for possession and transportation of an arm. R.I.P.R.O. – Volume I (2015) becomes an instant hit and reaches first place on the Top French albums of 2015. After a month, it went gold and it is now a platinum album. The same thing happens for R.I.P.R.O. – Volume 2.
Rymz
This Quebec rapper has been touring all over Quebec for the past few years. As well as being a great rapper, he is also an educator in a children’s group home. He is a well established Quebec rapper with already 2 albums and a third one on the way. His songs are full of contradictions, which he explained are because he tries to raise questions instead of answering them. His tough childhood and delinquency have shaped his music and lyrics. His third album should be less angry, less aggressive, more chill and more self-exploring.
Gradur
Gradur is a French rapper of Congolese origins. He first started writing music and rapping after being wounded twice in the leg while he was in the army. He starts freestyling in 2014, which he called Sheguey (meaning kid from the streets). He remixed Booba’s song La mort leur va si bien, which skyrockets his career. Booba shared the song on social media and it was viewed more than 1 million times. In 2014, Gradur released a mixtape which immediately dominated the iTunes music charts. Since then, his other albums have been huge successes.
MHD
MHD is a French rapper from Paris. This 23-year-old is known for his ‘Afro Trap’, a mix of African music and trap music. His rise to fame came when he shared his music online. Booba invited him to open for him which confirmed his popularity. With 500 million views with his 13 music videos on Youtube, he is now one of the rap industry’s fastest rising star. He performed in Guinea for 65,000 people and rejects the American rap template, preferring to be inspired by his French and African roots.
Lary Kidd
Lary Kidd was part of a successful rap band with Loud called Loud Lary Ajust (LLA) before starting his solo career. Another Quebec success story, this rapper loves gangster rap but often questions himself about the violence in rap because notably of his ‘normal childhood’. His songs deal with important issues like violence, society’s issues and his own personal ones.
Orelsan
This french rapper has often been compared to the French Eminem because they are both white and because they are both known to switch from violent to comical rap. He started liking rap while playing basketball in school. He studied at the University of Tampa in Florida for a year where he wrote his song 50 pour cent. He first started his career by forming a duo with Gringe and they released their first mixtape but after it was released they both focused on their solo careers. A lot of his songs are controversial, criticized for having violent, homophobic and misogynist lyrics.
Lomepal
Lomepal, another French rapper, has more than 80 million views on his Youtube channel and has more than 100 concerts under his belt. His latest solo album Flip is certified platinum. A huge fan of skateboarding, the title of that album Flip is a skateboard move. He loves travelling and records his songs in Italy. His first EP came out in 2011 called 20 mesures, then in 2013 his second one Le singe fume sa cigarette, in 2014 he released his third EP Seigneur then in 2015 Majesté, and finally in 2016 ODSL before releasing Flip.
Dead Obies
The Dead Obies are originally from the south shore of Montreal. There are 6 members: 5 MCs Jo RCA, Yes McCan, Snail Kid, 20SOME, O.G. Bear and their producer VNCE CARTER. Their music is a mix of French and English, and are considered ‘post-rap’ music. Their first album, Montréal $ud was released in 2013 and their sophomore album, Gesamtkunstwerk, in 2016. This album was an undeniable success and allowed them to perform sold-out concerts all over Quebec. They are currently working on their third album.
Do you think we named all the best French rappers? If you want to listen to French music, you can also check out our article about French singers.
