French rapper
Summary
- The rise of French rap
- The most streamed French rappers
- The role of streaming platforms
- A fierce competition
- Ranking of the most popular French rappers
The rise of French rap
French Rapper - Long neglected by the media, French rap has, over the last decade, established itself as one of the most listened to musical genres. This rise in popularity is supported by a rich and diverse scene, offering a wide variety of styles and musical approaches. Ninho , Nekfeu and Jul , for example, represent different facets of the genre while sharing a common ability to captivate their audience. This diversity contributes to the continued growth of rap in France, attracting an ever larger and more passionate audience.
The most streamed French rappers
The list of the 60 most streamed French rappers on Spotify reveals established names as well as surprises. The popularity of artists like Ninho and Jul, with their billions of streams, is a testament to their ability to reach a wide audience. These figures reveal current trends and audience preferences, and highlight the growing influence of rap in the French music industry.
French rap, omnipresent in our playlists, has seen its popularity explode in recent decades. Born in working-class neighborhoods, French rappers have established themselves as a major musical genre thanks to their cultural diversity and great stylistic freedom, thus reflecting French society. Let's discover together the 12 most influential rappers on the current scene.
Booba: the empire of the Duke of Boulogne
Booba is an iconic figure in French rap, with a career spanning almost 25 years and numerous platinum-certified albums to his credit. Present at numerous festivals in 2024, he has also made a name for himself internationally by collaborating with American and Caribbean artists. His whole personality and his taste for clashes, especially on social networks, add to his reputation.
Jul: the child from Marseille who became a pillar of rap
Jul, among French rappers in 10 years of career and 30 albums, has risen to the rank of the biggest sellers of records in France. His unique style, influenced by Marseille, seduces a wide audience, despite some criticism. The themes of his music reflect his neighborhood life and his personal experiences.
Ninho: the conqueror of the charts
Ninho made history by selling out the Stade de France twice in record time. His lyrics, centered on city life and values such as loyalty and respect, resonate with a wide audience, propelling his songs to the top of the charts.
Damso: the dark poet
Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, among French rappers Damso has captivated audiences with deep and melancholic albums. His lyrics tackle difficult themes, weaving a unique narrative web throughout his albums.
Orelsan: everyday rap
Orelsan, from Caen, has seduced a generation with his ironic and incisive lyrics. His style, which oscillates between the sympathetic loser and the good friend, reflects the challenges and absurdities of modern life.
SCH: between music and cinema
With his deep voice and cinematic references, SCH has carved out a unique place for himself in French rap. His albums, all certified platinum, are marked by mafia themes and collaborations with other big names in rap.
Gazo: the French prince of drill
Named Male Artist of the Year 2024, Gazo draws heavily on drill, a subgenre of Chicago rap. His music, marked by a unique flow and raspy voice, tells the story of his life in a difficult environment.
Kaaris: the king of trap
Kaaris is an imposing figure in French rap, known for his hard-hitting style and raw lyrics. A pioneer of trap in France, he redefined the standards of the genre with his hardcore rap.
PLK: the meteoric rise
PLK, of Polish origin, has achieved rapid success with albums that blend technical rap with catchy melodies. His collaborations with major French rap artists have reinforced his meteoric rise.
Hamza: the little Belgian of French-speaking rap
Hamza stands out with his autotuned voice and unique universe. His tracks, influenced by trap, captivate with an American rhythm and current musical trends.
Lacrim: the voice of the streets
Lacrim, with his recognizable voice and poignant lyrics, has left his mark on French rap with albums like Corleone and Persona Non Grata . His songs reflect his difficult life and his prison stories.
La Fouine: one of the veterans of French rap
La Fouine is a veteran of French rap, with successful albums and autobiographical texts that address themes such as neighborhood life and immigration. His collaborations with artists such as Booba and Soprano have left their mark on the scene.
This selection, although not exhaustive, gives an overview of the richness and diversity of French rap, with artists who continue to evolve and influence the music scene.
The role of streaming platforms
Streaming platforms have radically changed the music ecosystem, allowing artists to reach a global audience. Spotify, in particular, plays a crucial role in promoting French rappers. These platforms offer artists a way to distribute their music easily, while providing listeners with immediate access to a multitude of tracks.
A fierce competition
With the explosion of streaming, the competition between rappers has become fiercer than ever. Sales and streaming numbers are now the main indicators of success. Every Friday, artists look to stand out from the crowd with new releases, hoping to make their mark on the music landscape. Collaborations and promotional strategies also play a big role in increasing visibility and fan engagement.
Ranking of the most popular French rappers
French rap giants like Ninho and Jul, who top the charts with over 6 billion streams each, are a good example of the dominance these artists have on the music scene. Others like PNL, Booba, and Nekfeu continue to solidify their place among the biggest names in French rap. The list of the most streamed French rappers is a reflection of their success and the public's enthusiasm for their music.
Here is our TOP 10 BEST FRENCH RAPPERS IN HISTORY (NO RANKING):
- Booba
- Rohff
- Jul
- Ninho
- Kery James
- Diam's
- Akhenaton
- Ademo
- Orelsan
- Damso / Nekfeu
Okay, OK. First of all, there are 11. At the end of the live, we couldn't decide whether to keep Damso or Nekfeu in tenth place, only for longevity and cultural impact compared to the other names mentioned. And I repeat, they are not ranked. But the ten present here seem very fair to us in terms of impact, presence, longevity, inspiration and cultural breakthrough for French-speaking rap. We also tried to balance between the impact of the 1990s, the 2000s or the 2010s.
Honorable Mentions
Among the artists who were really close to this Top 10 that we eliminated with great difficulty, we find: Oxmo Puccino, Lino, Le Rat Luciano, Niro, Salif, Kaaris, Lacrim, Rim K, Niska and SCH. Ademo was placed solo because we absolutely wanted to put PNL, but it remains a bit of a strange choice. You can of course totally disagree with us, we talked about a lot of profiles and the choices were often difficult. You can find our discussions below. Your comments!
French rap is constantly evolving, with new voices emerging and established artists pushing the boundaries of the genre. To stay up to date on trends and new artists, it is essential to follow streaming platforms and specialized media.
