Origins

French rap has its roots in the late 1970s and early 1980s when African-American hip-hop culture began to gain traction around the world. It was heavily influenced by the French-speaking rap scene in the United States and France’s own reggae, funk, and dancehall scenes. Some of the earliest pioneers of French rap include MC Solaar and Ministère AMER. These artists helped lay the groundwork for a musical genre that would come to define an entire generation of youth in France.

The First Wave

The first wave of French rap began in the early 1980s when pioneering French DJs and MCs began mixing hip-hop with French lyrics. It was led by figures like MC Solaar and NTM, and it focused heavily on social commentary and issues around poverty and racism in France. Its sound was raw and rough around the edges, and it featured a combination of heavy bass lines, sampled instruments, and minimalist beats. This wave was the foundation of French rap and helped to pave the way for later movements.

The Second Wave

The second wave of French rap began in the early 2000s. This wave was characterized by a more commercialized sound, with beats and production that had a more polished feel. This wave saw artists like MC Solaar, L’Algérino, Kery James, Rohff, and La Fouine gaining widespread popularity. The lyrical content was also more socially conscious and political, as it explored a range of issues from immigration to social injustice. These artists drew upon their personal experiences to create songs that resonated with listeners. The second wave of French rap also helped to bring French rap music to international audiences, as the genre gained more exposure in other countries.

5th and 6th wave

The fifth wave of French rap music began in 2006, with artists such as Booba, Diam’s, and Rohff becoming popular. They introduced more American influences into the genre, mixing modern hip-hop beats and lyrics. This wave was very popular with young people, particularly teens, as it was less politically charged than in previous eras. Many of these artists achieved major commercial success, and their songs were often heard on the radio or television. Some of the most influential and successful artists of this era include La Fouine, Kery James, Sniper, and Soprano. This wave saw a new era of French rap that focused more on lyrical content and production.

The sixth wave of French rap began in the late 2000s and early 2010s. This period was marked by a greater emphasis on lyrical content and production, as well as a shift in attitude away from gangsta rap and toward the new trend of conscious rap. The most notable group of this era was arguably La Rumeur, which released several critically acclaimed albums throughout the decade. Other popular rappers included Oxmo Puccino, Sinik, Nessbeal, and Rohff. The sixth wave of French rap also saw a growing influence from other African diasporic genres such as Afro-beat and dancehall. This period was also characterized by increasing numbers of collaborations between rappers from various countries, a trend that is continuing today.

The Seventh Wave

The seventh wave of French rap has been heavily influenced by the use of social media and streaming services. Artists have used platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify to reach larger audiences and build a strong fanbase. The music is more focused on melody and harmonies, often incorporating trap, cloud rap, and other modern genres. Popular rappers from this era include Booba, MHD, Kaaris, Damso, and Gradur. These artists have pushed the boundaries of French rap and brought it to a much wider audience. They have also set the stage for future generations of rappers to come.