A hip-hop head’s introduction to the Francophone music scene.
Dive into the Francophone music scene, a hidden gem for many English-speaking music fans that is rich with uniquely talented artists.
collage by Tanaya Vohra.
Do we need a common language to share a passion for music? Michael Jackson was a global icon. Jamaican dancehall is one of the most popular genres in Japan. Shakira and Bad Bunny are some of the highest selling artists of all time; how many of their millions of English-speaking British and American fans actually know what they are saying? Regardless of a language barrier, artists have been, and continue to be, beloved.
France is one of the most influential countries on the planet, and the nation's impact on pop culture cannot be understated. French music is huge, and the history of the industry is too great to do it justice in this singular article. Notably, when referring to French music, we are often referring to francophone music instead. French music extends well-beyond France, with many contributing artists descending from francophone countries like the Congo, Senegal, and Algeria. Indeed, the combined influence from Africa, America, and the rest of Europe has enabled francophone artists to continually produce unique musical sounds and establish a thriving industry in turn. Despite language differences, many artists consistently collaborate with other global stars, which has provided a platform for them to represent their various cultures. In 2024, the francophone music scene is the strongest it has ever been, with larger national and international fan bases than ever before.
Before continuing, it must be noted that I am not French, nor do I proclaim to be an expert on the scene. My goal is simply to highlight and pay respect to the francophone music industry and the talented artists within it.
I was first properly introduced to French music back in 2017. I distinctly remember the day when two of my closest friends, Lucas Defise and Tom Berger—who were avid followers of the French music scene and hailed from Belgium and France, respectively—decided it was time I got put on. They played “La Puissance,” by MHD, a famous French rapper who was on fire during the late 2010’s. While my French was far from sufficient to understand the content of his lyrics, the unique combination of the upbeat instrumental with his powerful delivery instantly had me hooked. Lucas sent me a Spotify playlist called “French Bangers” (I’m plugging it because you should follow) and thus began my journey with the French music scene.
I am a hip-hop head first and foremost. However, I also love R&B, afrobeats, and pop, so I have curated a list of my favorite French artists with the goal to unlock something new for a variety of listeners. Whether your name is Lucas Defise, or you know nothing about the Francophone music scene, hopefully there is something new and enjoyable for you here! Here, and at the end of the article, I have linked two playlists: one for those who love hip-hop; the other for those who seek a more melodic sound. Both playlists will include songs from the artists listed below as well as others to explore at your own discretion. Trust me, they’re all fire!
artwork by Tanaya Vohra.
Let’s start off with the R&B, Afrobeats, and Pop selections:
Tayc - R&B, Afrobeats
Tayc is currently my favorite French artist. Born in Marseille with Cameroonian heritage, Tayc has gradually made his way to the top of the French R&B scene. His smooth and vibrant voice enables him to effortlessly flow over any instrumental, and his strong command over his vocal range diversifies his sound. He can collaborate with pretty much anyone—Jason Derulo for instance—and if I had to recommend one French artist, it would be Tayc.
Dadju - R&B, Afrobeats
If you like Tayc, then you will almost certainly like Dadju. The two recently released a fantastic collab album called Héritage, and, while they are musically different from one another in many respects, Dadju incorporates a similarly smooth R&B style. He can easily carry his own song or perform the perfect hook. In particular, his song with Burna Boy, “Donne moi l’accord,” is one of my favorites. Brother of the famous Maître Gims, Dadju is extremely talented and has certainly made a name for himself outside of his brother’s shadow.
Maître Gims - R&B, Pop, Hip Hop
Here is that older brother. With over 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Gims is an icon in the Francophone music space, and no list is complete without him. Gims has a powerful yet distinct voice which can alternate between various styles. In 2019, he became the first Francophone “rapper” to perform in the Stade De France where he sold out the venue with over 72,000 fans. Having collaborated with the likes of Lil Wayne, Gims’ music and image has surpassed simply releasing records. He is a representation of the industry: when I was 13, my French teacher played his song “Zombie” in class. Moreover, if you take French on Duolingo you may even see his name pop up!
Ya Levis - R&B, Afrobeats
Levis' government name is Prince, and in my opinion, it is a pretty good indicator of his position within the French R&B scene. While he is younger and less well known than the others on this list, the Congolese artist has a mature, refined voice and occupies a unique space in R&B, especially compared to prominent artists in the American mainstream. Levis’s music is relaxing and truly showcases how beautiful the French language is often proclaimed to be.
Aya Nakamura - Pop, Afrobeats, R&B
If you thought Gims sounded big, meet Aya, another artist who has established themselves far beyond a Francophone fanbase. Aya was the first female Francophone artist I was introduced to, and while she sways more towards pop stylings, her rich discography has something for everyone. From Stormzy to Major Lazer, Aya is one of the most versatile francophone artists there is. Her national and international stardom has influenced a great number of rising francophone artists, most notably Ronisia, who's next up.
Ronisia - Afrobeats, R&B
24-year-old Ronisia is a sensation. Only two years older than me (yeesh) she has established her place within the francophone music industry and has collaborated with the very best of artists. Born in Cape Verde with a versatile voice, she often toes the line between modern R&B and afrobeats, and despite her relatively young career, she likely already has a song to compliment your every mood.
Marwa Loud - Pop
As much as I dislike songs that become famous from TikTok, in my opinion, Marwa Loud gets a pass. Her song “Bad Boy” was released in 2018, but resurfaced in 2021 on many social media platforms. In fact, at its peak, it became the seventh most used sound on TikTok, and fifth most Shazamed worldwide! However, this artist of Moroccan descent is much more than a single song. With a unique voice and multilingual ability, she has a diverse discography worth giving a listen.
Honorable Mentions (all additional artists—again, check my playlist):
Joé Dwèt Filé: Rhythmic, calm, smooth operator. If you like Tayc or Dadju, he is for you!
Eva: Versatile and beautiful voice, hits with both Ronisia and Marwa!
Vegedram: Any football event, watch out for this guy, all I’m going to say…Allez les blues!
Angele: Belgian born queen of the Francophone pop industry, performed at Coachella.
KeBlack: Smooth melodic artist proud of his Congolese heritage – grew up with Naza.
Stromae: French music icon, you kind of have to know this guy lol - Papaoutai???
Notable Others: Naza, Nej, Shay, Franglish, Locko, J9euve, Sonny Rave.
artwork by Tanaya Vohra.
Now, a list for all my hip-hop heads:
Ninho
Ok Ok, I’m excited for this part. To start off we have Ninho, who is currently my favorite French rapper. For my fellow hip-hop heads, he has the full package. Upbeat hype songs, check. Smooth flows and diverse sound, check. Slow, deep, lyrical, language barrier-defying songs, check. The 27 year old is a pioneer of the francophone rap scene, and is one of the most important players in globalizing the industry. Just on his most recent project, he collaborated with the likes of Central Cee, Lil Baby, and Ayra Starr. Again, as with Tayc, if I had to recommend one French rapper, it would be Ninho.
Booba
This one is for my old heads. As my tour guide described him a couple weeks ago, many laud Booba as the GOAT of Francophone rap. With Senegalese and French heritage, the now 47 year old is a living legend. He's been around since the early 2000’s, and has not wavered in producing bangers which have influenced every french rapper on this list and helped craft the French music scene into what it is today. Moreover, he is still a force to be reckoned with, and I recommend checking out his most recent album Ad vitam æternam.
Niska
After Lucas introduced me to MHD, he followed up with Niska. Niska arguably has the most unique voice on this list, and combined with his energetic and powerful delivery, he produces hits unlike any you have heard before. He is huge in France, and judges the TV show Rhythm + Flow France (check it out on Netflix). I have always really liked him, but it was only at my first party in Paris a few weeks ago, when I fully understood how big of a fan favorite he was. He has been on repeat ever since!
Tiakola
Time for the next generation. Tiakola is no doubt shaping the future for francophone hip-hop. The former member of 4Keus, one of the biggest groups in France during the late 2010’s, has achieved unprecedented success as a solo artist both within France and internationally. His lively rap style, blending hip-hop and R&B, has attracted a major fan base, contributing to the growing popularity of francophone hip-hop. He has worked with British legend Dave, and his most recent project in collaboration with Gazo, titled La Melo Est Gang, took the scene by storm.
Gazo
One word: Deep. Imagine Pop Smoke combined with Abracadabra (for my British readers), et voila. Tiakola’s right hand man has arguably the most distinct voice on this list, and with a plethora of party bangers, Gazo is that artist that can always get you hyped. If you’re on a run, hitting the gym, or prepping for an exam on 2 hours of sleep, put on some Gazo.
OBOY
Lastly, we have OBOY. Similar to Ninho, OBOY is a central star in French hip hop. Unlike those rappers who sound like they are straining their voices in their verses, OBOY has a natural, relaxed flow in his songs. Although he can speed up his delivery, he is often slower and precise, perfectly complementing his instrumentals. If you are traveling, chilling, or cooking, OBOY has that smooth style that goes well with those lower frequency moments.
Honorable Mentions:
Damso: Every album certified platinum, Belgian-Congolese royalty within the rap scene.
Werenoi: With great flows, Werenoi musically defined weeks of my study abroad.
Koba LaD/Zola: Both are so fire, check out their recent collab album: Frères Ennemis.
Jul: Marseille’s starboy, crazy workrate, most listened to french rapper in 2023.
SDM: One of the scene's biggest artists, will probably feature on one of your faves.
Harley: Effortlessly combines hip-hop with afrobeats - check out his Supalife run.
Notable others: 1pliqué140, Gambino La MG, Zamdane, Freeze Corleone, Kerchak.
Francophone music is an undiscovered jewel for many of us English-speaking music fans, and because the US and UK music scenes are so dominant, we rarely seek to find something new. This space is brimming with talented artists who will not only surprise you but also likely make you reconsider your taste in music. In addition to an incredible sound, increasing your French listening will provide a smooth intro to the language if you don’t know it already. I hope this article helps catalyze your experimentation with French music and be sure to check out my playlists to help guide the way.
edited by Alexander Malm.
artwork by Tanaya Vohra.
