Greetings FCR Readers! It’s yet again, been awhile, but I’ve been busy, and spending much of the free time I have doing one of two things: 1) Reading 2) Catching up with playoffs. Now, many of you non-believers may be quick to dismiss I know anything about sports, and although you may be partially correct (only partially, mind you. I do know my fair share.), one thing I do know is that with every game, I’m becoming an even bigger fan of Tony Parker, and I follow the Spurs for a few other pretty specific reasons (e-mail me if you really care to know).
I’m hoping my boy TP makes it as a Hall of Famer not only because he’s one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA, but also because he loves music and raps in French. His music got me to dwell on some noteworthy French Hip-Hop material I’ve come across over the years. French is one of my favorite languages, and here are a few French Hip-Hop jams I’ve had in rotation over the past few years.
Guru Feat. MC Solaar - Le Bien, Le Mal
I discovered this song sometime early in my freshman year of high school, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since (sidenote: one of my French teachers actually mentioned MC Solaar’s music in class. Very cool). MC Solaar is one of the most popular rappers in France, and has been successful internationally with songs like “La Belle et Le Bad Boy” as well as this smooth, jazzy collabo with Guru of Gangstaar off his Jazzmatazz Vol. 1.
Hocus Pocus - Hip Hop ? feat The Procussions
Hocus Pocus is certainly not new to the Hip-Hop scene. Formed in 1995 by producer 20Syl, the band has gained a large fan base among indie Hip-Hop heads due to their unique live mix of Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Funk, which to many listeners, is comparable to the Roots. They gained even greater exposure after releasing this single, which features the Procussions. For more smoothness, also check out “You,” their collabo with Mr. J. Medeiros, and “Du Sable Sur Les Paupieres,” which was featured by Freddie Joachim on one of his Mixed Vibes compilations.
Jazz Liberators - Clin D'Oeil
No post on this blog would be complete without a smooth instrumental, and no post about French Hip-Hop would be complete without mention of the Jazz Liberatorz. The production trio, which includes DJ Damage, Dusty and Madhi, has collaborated with MCs like Mos Def, Fat Lip from the Pharcyde, and Aloe Blacc. These guys clearly know how to execute a Hip-Hop instrumental.
To anyone who still visits my visually outdated page, I thank you, and I’m not too up to date with current French Hip-Hop artists, so if any of you have any recommendations, I’m all ears! Be sure to also check me out on the 5th Element Mag as well.
