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| Song Title | Artist | Lyrics | Issue Addressed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violence Masquée | Keny Arkana | “Masked violence to those who advocate intolerance” | Intolerance and conspiracy theories |
| L’ordeur de l’essence | Youssoupha | “Taking people’s money is stealing except when it’s business” | The global oil industry and climate change |
| Le Poete Noir | Oxmo Puccino | “Can we make the world a better place by sowing prose petals?” | Racism and hope |
| Nique la BAC | Vald | “It doesn’t want young people to smoke weed, but they drink red every night” | Neglect of young people by governments |
| Journal Perso II | Nekfeu | “But, save his own before the others” | Common decency and competent leaders |
The song “Violence Masquée” by Keny Arkana addresses intolerance and conspiracy theories. It criticizes those who advocate intolerance and highlights the hidden violence behind such beliefs.
Youssoupha’s song “L’ordeur de l’essence” reflects on the global oil industry and its impact on climate change. The lyrics convey the idea that taking people’s money is considered stealing, except when it is justified as business. The song also emphasizes the importance of the younger generation (Generation Z) in shaping the future.
Oxmo Puccino’s song “Le Poete Noir” addresses racism and explores the concept of hope in the face of discrimination. The lyrics metaphorically question whether we can make the world a better place by spreading poetic words like petals.
Vald’s song “Nique la BAC” sheds light on the neglect of young people by governments. It criticizes the hypocrisy of authorities who discourage young people from smoking marijuana while indulging in excessive drinking. The song reflects the youth’s desire for sustainable living and their disillusionment with profit-driven policies.
Nekfeu’s song “Journal Perso II” emphasizes the importance of common decency and competent leadership. The lyrics convey the idea of prioritizing the well-being of one’s own before others, highlighting the need for responsible and capable leaders in society.
French rap has gained recognition for its strong political themes. It reflects the growing dissatisfaction with traditional politicians in Western nations. French rappers, like Keny Arkana, use their platform to voice concerns about intolerance, conspiracy theories, racism, climate change, and the neglect of young people by governments.
Listen to these songs on YouTube with these links:
“Violence Masquée” by Keny Arkana: YouTube Link
“L’ordeur de l’essence” by Youssoupha: YouTube Link
“Le Poete Noir” by Oxmo Puccino: YouTube Link
“Nique la BAC” by Vald: YouTube Link
“Journal Perso II” by Nekfeu: YouTube Link
Note: French rap has been widely recognized for its political nature and has been discussed in publications such as The New York Times and The Conversation.
Really cool article!
Can we make the world a better place by sowing prose petals?
Answer: YES, indeed, it’s worth the try… sure beats violence and negativity.