French Hip Hop

French Hip Hop
Alternate name(s)	Rap Français, French Rap
Stylistic origins	American Hip Hop, Gangsta Rap
Cultural origins	Vitry-sur-Seine, France
Typical instruments	Rapping, Turntable, DJ Mixer, Drum Machine, Synthesizer, Sampler

French Hip Hop, also known as Rap Français, is a style of Hip Hop that emerged in France in 1981.

Characteristics

With no signature characteristics, French Hip Hop is mostly inspired by American Hip Hop, with militant themes such as suburbs, racism, police violence and exclusion. More recently, French Hip Hop has shifted to themes focusing on break-ups, drugs and sexuality.

History

1981 & 1990s

First appearing in 1981 and produced by Chagrin D'Amour and Élégance, French Hip Hop gained momentum first in Marseille in the late 80s with groups considered pioneers of the genre such as IAM, Soul Swing, MC Solaar, Suprême NTM, Assassin, and many others, some of whom incorporated elements of Hardcore Rap and Jazz Rap. Unlike American Hip Hop, French Hip Hop became mainstream extremely quickly.

2000s

In 2000, the new generation of French Hip Hop emerged, with artists such as Booba, La Fouine and Kaaris taking French Hip Hop into its golden age.

2010s

In 2010, French Hip Hop began to diversify in terms of artists, but also in terms of genres: new genres such as Trap and Drill began to become popular in the French Rap scene. A host of new artists are making their appearance: Jul, considered the worst French rapper, PNL, Koba LaD, Niska, Werenoi and GIMS (formerly Maître Gims).

2020s

In 2020, the scene is moving even further away from Hip Hop, and will be produced mostly with Reggeaton, House or even Jersey Club beats. But the scene is also beginning to have its own decline, like Hip Hop in general today.

Example

• MC Circulaire - 103SP