Here's another fine comeback, after a more than tormented stint underwater. Gunna's return in 2023 was more than acclaimed by fans.

The following year, he surfed on the good vibe with One Of Wun. A fitting title, since Gunna's unexpected return to the forefront of the music scene makes him a unique artist.

Listening to the album, the vibe is smooth. Although Gunna is known in part for his ability to produce more laid-back tracks, we're still a long way from the ... read more

After winning me over with the excellent Hypnos, Ravyn Lenae strikes again with Bird’s Eye, her sophomore album released in 2024. The R&B scene is currently blooming, and Lenae perfectly represents this revival, blending high standards with emotional accessibility. Her music, once more intimate and niche, found unexpected visibility thanks to the viral success of Love Me Not on TikTok, a dream scenario for such an anticipated release.

Backed by a carefully curated list of producers, ... read more

Is the title of this album a reference to Fabolous' entry in The-Dream's “Shawty is a 10”? I don't know, but it's one of the first questions I asked myself before putting my ear to this project, which I've heard such good things about.

One thing I can't question, however, is that this girl was born to be a star. Between various talent contests and TV talent shows, Latto has never really left the industry since she was a teenager.

Today, she's ... read more

6 years after Eve, Rapsody is back with an album. It's an understatement to say that fans of the rapper and of lyrical rap have taken this return in stride. I was the first, who had more than enjoyed Eve. That was before I realized how long the project was... A project over an hour long, with no less than 22 tracks. Damn Marlanna...

But hey, I'll give it a whirl. And listening to it, I understand the length. After 6 years without releasing anything, Rapsody has a lot to say. She ... read more

The early 2010s are my favorite part of rap history. We were gifted a wide range of new artists offering a different artistic proposition and exploding the charts. Among them was Wiz Khalifa. In 2009, he released his mixtape, which has since become a classic: Kush & Orange Juice. A mixtape that greatly appealed to a wide audience of rap fans, making Wiz Khalifa something of a mini icon.

Kush & Orange Juice deserved a second opus. Still, it's surprising that it's only 16 years ... read more

Il y a quatre ans, en pleine tourmente du Covid, Jazzy Bazz sortait Private Club. Un projet collaboratif, partagé avec EDGE et Esso Luxueux. “Collaboratif” est presque un mot faible ici tant la proximité entre les trois artistes saute aux oreilles.

Tous les trois sont signés sur 3,14 Production, le label de Jazzy Bazz. Et cette affinité artistique ne sonne jamais forcée. On sent qu’ils ont passé une bonne partie de leur vingtaine ... read more

Ravyn Lenae, a name I hadn't caught in my field.
Who is she? A young R&B singer from Chicago. Her latest project, released in 2024, had been whispered to me to listen to, but this time I wanted to do things in order, i.e. start by listening to her first project.

The vibe resonates with me. The general atmosphere oscillates between R&B and neo-soul. All carried by a strong Chicago influence. It's as if you can tell where the girl's from, just by listening to the first ... read more

Il y a eu ce fameux Barça-PSG, un certain 8 mars 2017. Et puis il y a État des lieux, ce 11 avril 2025. Deux remontadas presque impensables, deux retours que personne n’avait vraiment vus venir.

Pendant des années, La Fouine a traîné l’image d’un rappeur has-been, déconnecté de son époque. Pourtant, Capitale du Crime Radio m’avait déjà fait bouger la tête. Il y avait là un rappeur plus ... read more

Few rappers can boast a discography as extensive and consistent as Roc Marciano. Just as few producers can claim a streak as remarkable as The Alchemist’s.

In 2024, the two joined forces once again to add yet another gem to their already monumental catalogs.

The result: The Skeleton Key. An album that’s not particularly surprising if you know their work, but still deeply satisfying. Roc Marciano delivers, as always, with his signature effortless virtuosity. His laid-back, ... read more

Les gars de l’Entourage ont compté dans mon parcours d’auditeur de rap français. Une génération marquée par une palette de talents inégaux, mais marquants. Parmi eux : Jazzy Bazz, qui s’en est plutôt bien sorti.

Aujourd’hui, il affiche une discographie solide, portée par une fanbase fidèle qui le respecte autant pour son écriture que pour son identité artistique.

Mémoria était son ... read more

Central Cee sits at the table of non-American rappers who have turned the tables, reaching rap listeners all over the world, including those in the USA. Quite a feat when you consider how inward-looking rap fans in this country are.

A glance at the tracklist for Central Cee's eagerly-awaited debut album is all it takes to see how American success is rubbing off on the West London rapper. Features from 21 Savage, Lil Baby and Lil Dirk suggest an artist comfortable in the upper echelons of ... read more

No Thank You is the fifth album from Little Simz, a prodigious rapper from the UK. No need to say how critically acclaimed she is. Her only weakness? Being too good.

I was blown away by Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, widely considered one of the best albums of this decade so far. Naturally, expectations were high for this one… and I imagine she felt that pressure too.

To keep things steady, she brought back Inflo on production. Together, they deliver a more restrained album. Still ... read more

Doc Gynéco. L’une des plus grandes personnalités françaises des années 90. Celui qui à l’image de MC Solaar, a eu un impact colossale dans l’entrée du rap dans les chaumières de France. En 1998, deux ans après le raz-de-marée “Première Consultation”, Doc Gynéco est vu comme le visage du rap français pour beaucoup.

Cette année-là, il revient avec un projet pour le ... read more

J’ai débloqué une nouvelle passion: écouter les premiers albums, ceux qui précèdent les classiques.
Y’a quelques semaines, non sans plaisir, je m’étais replongé dans Ni barreaux, ni barrières, ni frontières, le premier maxi du 113 sorti quelques mois seulement avant le cultissime Princes de la Ville.

Schéma similaire ici avec Du Rire aux Larmes, tout premier album d’un groupe non pas moins iconique : ... read more

It's been a long time since I immersed myself in a non-rap/r&b album. As a reminder, for a few months now I've been getting into the habit of stepping out of my comfort zone and listening to great albums that aren't in my catchment area.

Lately, I've been listening to Hotel California with a certain but moderate pleasure. For this new episode, I'm diving into Rage Against The Machine's eponymous album.

Rage Against The Machine is like many other huge pop ... read more

Les projets de beatmakers ne sont plus aussi rares qu’avant. Mais les séries d’albums qui s’étendent sur plusieurs volets (jusqu’à quatre comme ici) relèvent presque de l’exception.

La série des projets Brutal de Ikaz Boi s’est discrètement, mais sûrement installé comme étant une référence des projets de producteur à la française.

Une tétralogie qui a vu ... read more

Comme à mon habitude, lorsque j’écoute un récent projet qui me plait, j’aime explorer la discographie en remontant le fil. Après l’excellent Konsigliere!, j’ai donc lancé Hardeur Contemporain, sorti l’année précédente.

Première constatation : Tedax Max affectionne les formats courts. Konsigliere! durait 33 minutes, Hardeur Contemporain en fait 28. Une durée idéale, qui rend ... read more

Le retour en grâce du boom bap aux États-Unis a rouvert la voie à un rap brut et dense.

Toute une vague d’artistes est rentré dans la DeLorean pour un saut en arrière dans le temps afin de remettre aux goûts du jour les sonorités rap new-yorkaises et Wu-tang-esques des années 90.

En France, certains ont saisi cette énergie pour réinjecter de la substance dans leur rap. C’est le cas de Tedax Max.

Rappeur du 3e ... read more

Before LOVE.JONES, there was Nü Moon, a compendium of THEY.'s best: melancholy yet rhythmic R&B, always centered on love and its worries.

The lyrics are simple but touching. Easy to access, especially for men who have already experienced heartbreak... or even especially those women have, as some of the perspectives seem designed to resonate more on the female side. In concert, I wouldn't be surprised if the audience were predominantly female.

Yet the project struggles to ... read more

For 10 years now, They. have been attracting attention in the R&B sphere for their music, produced with undeniable talent.

Some dare to draw comparisons with Bryson Tiller. The latter invited them to support him on tour. Others compare them to Daniel Caesar.

Despite the flattering comparisons and positive reviews, It seems They. still haven't managed to reach the star threshold, even though the potential is there. Let's face it, R&B doesn't produce as many stars as it ... read more