Black M: Comme toi

A new song being promoted from Black M's Eternel insatisfait album, with the track Comme toi features a guest appearance by Shakira on the track and in the video.

Eternel insatisfait, the Sexion d'assaut member's second solo album which came out in October last year, has already been a massive seller reaching number two in the French charts.

The collection has already delivered a number of singles, including A l'Ouest from February last year up to the more recent French Kiss and the track Tout ce qu'il faut.

His 2014 debut solo album Les yeux plus grosse que le monde - a triple platinum seller- established him as one of France's biggest commercial rap stars.

Black M has live dates later this month with shows at arenas throughout France until May, and more shows later in the year including one at Bercy in Paris on December 2.

Maître Gims: ABCD

A new clip by Maître Gims for the track ABCD from his recent Mon cœur avait raison album, one of
 2015's most significant rap releases.

THe album was a long-awaited follow up to his 2013 debut solo collection Subliminal, which featured the hits J'me tire and Bella.

ABCD featured on the rap-orientated disc of his Mon cœur avait raison double album which came out at the end of August. It's already sold close to a quarter of a million copies.

Gims embarks on a tour shortly, mostly at the Zénith arenas around France, with a show at the AccorHotels Arena in Bercy, Paris, on December 14

Maître Gims: Longue Vie

With just a few weeks until the release of his second solo album, Maître Gims releases another track, this time its the song Longue Vie

tracks have been dropping at an almost weekly rate, with Melynda Gates and I See You Again among them.

Est-ce que tu m'aimes and  Laissez passer emerged earlier this year.

The new track features fellow Sexion d'Assaut member Lefa, Karim Fall, the member of the rap act whic sparked the homophobia row that engulfed them following comments he made in 2010. Lefa's been keeping a low profile in recent years and has only recently started to return to the music scene.

The debut solo album by Gims,  Subliminal, was a massive seller when it came out in 2013, his new release is to be a double album and will probably be one of the most significant  French rap releases this year.

Mon cœur avait raison is due to be released on August 26.

Live dates from Gims have been lined up, with a show at Bercy in Paris on December 14.

Maître Gims: I see you again

Another new release - I see you again - drops from Maître Gims, in quick succession to his last single.

With  Melynda Gates just released, he's followed it up with the track I See You Again.

There have already been two earlier releases,  Est-ce que tu m'aimes and  Laissez passer.

Gims relases his new album Mon cœur avait raison at the end of next month, his second solo album and follow-up to his massively successful Subliminal debut from 2013.

His new release will be a double CD, and the emergence of the new tracks ahead of it give a flavour of the variety of material presented on it, from ballads to rap.

Gims, with his solo career and his work with Sexion d'Assaut, has become one of French rap's biggest figures and his new album will be one of the scene's key releases of this year.

Live dates from Gims have been lined up, with a show at Bercy in Paris on December 14.

Maître Gims: Melynda Gates

A new video by French rapper Maître Gims for the track Melynda Gates.

The release comes ahead of Gims's second solo album Mon coeur avait raison.

 His most recent single Est-ce que tu m'aimes ? is currently one of the big sellers in France.

Gims is no doubt keen to repeat the success he enjoyed last summer with the song Bella. The album it came from, Subliminal, has been a massive seller. It reached number two in France and has had sales of over 600,000, so his follow up is certainly anticipated.

Even though he's a member of Sexion D'Assaut, one of France's most successful rap collectives,  Gims has also become one of France's biggest rap solo artists.

Mon coeur avait raison, a double CD,  is expected to be released on August 28.

Black M: C'est tout moi.

Another video from Black M, one of France's most  prominent rappers at the moment, with the track C'est tout moi.

It's another track from his Les yeux plus gros que le monde collection, an album that was released just over a year ago.

It's been a massive seller, with singles Sur ma route reaching number one, La légende black and Je ne dirai rien both reaching the top ten as well.

A re-edition of the album came out in December with eight extra tracks.

He's got live dates in July and August across France, with more shows scheduled for later in the year as well

Maître Gims: Est-ce que tu m'aimes ?

A new video from Maître Gims, with the track Est-ce que tu m'aimes ? 


The track comes from Gims' forthcoming album MCAR, which is expected to be released in the autumn. The album, his second solo collection takes its title from an acronym of Mon cœur avait raison.

While best known for his role in  Sexion d'Assaut , Gims 2013 solo debut Subliminal was a massive seller, reaching number two in France and number one in other countries.

The album led to some massive singles, particularly the number one J'me tire, while the songs Bella and Zombie also reached the top three in the singles charts.

The new song sounds very approachable to an audience that normally wouldn't go for an urban track and sounds likely to open a the 2015 chapter in the Gims success story.

Gims plays at the Palais Omnisports De Paris Bercy on December 14 as part of his tour of arenas around France.

Black M: On s'fait du mal

A new clip by Black M, for the track On s'fait du mal, one of the new tracks on the special edition of
his album Les yeux plus gros que le monde.

The new edition of the collection, which originally came out in November last year, sees eight bonus tracks.

Les yeux plus gros que le monde originally came out in March, reaching number two in the French album charts. The deluxe edition, with the title Le monde plus gros que mes yeux alsom included the single Je garde le sourire.

The original album's already provided a major hit with the track Sur ma Route, a number r one single in France for Black M.

The Sexion d'assaut rapper is just about to embark on a tour of France's Zénith arenas with some of his Wati B labelmates.

Maska: Profiter de ma life

Rapper Maska has released a new single, Profiter de ma life, featuring fellow Sexion d'Assaut
member Black M.

The new track follows the realease of the track Prie pour moi, which featured  Maître Gims, another graduate from the  Sexion d'Assaut academy of major French rap stars.

Both Gims and Black M have enjoyed massive success with their solo releases, Gims' Subliminal album from last year being one of the biggest selling French releases of that year.

The status of Sexion d'Assaut as one of  France's most successful rap act ever is beyond doubt.
Maska featured in last years Les chroniques du Wati Boss compilation from the Wati B label with the track Leve ton verre.

A second volume of the collection was issued last month reaching the top five in the French charts.

Maska's solo album, entitled Espace temp is expected to be released on October 20.

Black M: Sur ma route

I've neglected to mention Black M until now, for no reason other than lack of time, but the Sexion d'Assaut
member has been making a significant mark in France with a track from his recent solo album.

He's been at number one in France for several weeks with the track Sur ma route for several weeks.

The track comes from his debut solo album Les yeux plus gros que le monde, which also featured the singles Mme Pavoshko, Spectateur and Ailleurs.

Black M, also known as Black Mesrimes (or to his family and friends as Alpha Diallo ) took his stage name from the legendary French criminal/folk hero Jacques Mesrine, who in the late 60s and early 70s led an audacious criminal life of bank robbery, murder, kidnap and prison escape.

 He was seen by many as an anti-establishment Robin Hood figure, and was France's most wanted criminal and Public Enemy Number One until he was shot dead by the police in Paris in 1979.

But Sur ma route is a very approachable song, the kind of rap that reaches beyond the usual fans of the genre.

Other than his Sexion d'Assaut work, Black M  appeared on fellow collecive member Maître Gims' solo album Subliminal, one of the biggest rap releases in recent years. It was the success of this release that inspired Black M to record a solo album, and the success it has met with suggests GIms might not be the only Sexion d'Assaut member to have a huge solo career.

Maska: Prie pour moi

A new video for the track Prie pour moi by Sexion d'assaut member Maska.

The release sees him alongside his fellow Sexion d'assaut member Maitre Gims, as he now launches his solo career.

Maître Gims was one of France's biggest selling acts last year, with his debut solo album leading to a series of singles.

Maska's already released a couple of solo tracks online in recent months, and featured on the Les chroniques du Wati Boss compilation that came out last year.

 A second volume is expected in the next few months

Maska's debut solo album, to be entitled Espace temps, is expected to be released in October 2014.

Maître Gims: Ça marche

Another single by Maître Gims, this time the track Ça marche from his album Subliminal getting the
promotional treatment.

Gims has been one of France's biggest selling artists this year, following the release of the Sexion d'Assaut member's album in May.

The singles J'me tire and Bella  both reached the top five for weeks, the single One Shot also giving him a hit.

The release of Ça marche as a single coincides with the re-issue of his debut album. A new edition of Subliminal comes out on November 18, with around a dozen bonus tracks.

Meanwhile, Sexion d'Assaut see a 'best of' collection issued at the beginning of November.

Gims may have been of 2013's biggest selling artists, and even in the closing months of the year he seems to be doing his best to increase that total even more.

Urban Peace Three: French Hip Hop festival at Stade de France

This weekend sees the Urban Peace Three festival taking place at the Stade de France, probably the highest
profile hip hop festival in the country.

As well as a showcase for the genre with some of the biggest acts in France participating, it provides a clear snapshot as to the current health of the country's hip hop scene which remains vigorous and hugely popular.

Previously the event has been held in 2002 and 2008, this year the focus is on urban peace and solidarity.

Headlining the bill are Sexion d'Assaut, an act who are probably France's biggest hip hop act in recent years. Their show comes ahead of the relase of a new 'best of' collection in November.



Also at the top are IAM , who have not only had a long career,  haveing been at the forefront since the 90s, but have this year enjoyed a  higher profile than ever following their number one Art Martiens collection and subsequent single releases.



Elsewhere on the bill is  Rohff, a rappers whose albums have reached the top ten of the French charts for over a decade. His latest, a double entitled P.D.R.G. has just been released.



OrleSan takes the stage too, his last collection - 2011's Le Chant des sirènes selling over 100,000 copies. He recently appeared on the new Stromae album Racines carrée.



Stromae himself appears at the event, his new album - one of 2013's most anticipated releases- still at number one in the French charts. He's recently confirmed he'll be undertaking an arena tour round France in 2014.



Another acts who has had a high profile this year is Maître Gims, who has made a significant impression as a solo artist while also being a key player in the  Sexion d'Assaut team. His debut solo came out earlier in 2013, and it is being re-issued as a special edition with bonus tracks in November.



Psy 4 de la Rime make a return, having played at the two previous Urban Peace events. The Marseilles act had enjoyed considerable success early in the 21st century and split to pursue solo careers. They reformed this year, and their 4eme dimension collection was released and reached the top three in France.



Also taking the stage is Youssoupha, whose Noir Désir album from last year reached number three in the French charts. This year saw the release of its follow up, entitled On se connaît.


Meanwhile, La Fouine, and artist who has been an associate of Youssoupha also appears. Youssoupha featured on La Fouine's 2013 single Il se passe quelque chose. His Drôle de parcours collection reached number one earlier this year.

Maska: Lève ton verre

Another track from the Les chroniques du Wati Boss collection by the Sexion D'Assaut family gets the
promotional treatment.

This time its the track Lève ton verre by Sexion D'Assaut member Maska.

It follows the track Hasta la Vista by Maître Gims with L'Institut which emerged as a clip last week.

2013 continues to be a busy time for Sexion D'Assaut and their various members, the new collection obviously intenderd to draw attention to the solo careers following the success of the debut album by Maître Gims entitled Subliminal, which was released earlier this year.

Maska looks set to be the next band member to release an album, but as yet no details of the title have emerged.

Meanwhile, Sexion d'Assaut play in Paris at the end of September for the Urban Peace 3 hip hop event at the Stade de France.

Wati B: Les chroniques du Wati Boss

A new release of a rap compilation on the Wati B label, a company that's in recent years been at the
forefront of French rap with acts like Sexion d'Assaut, Dry and Maître Gims.

It's also branched out into clothing with a shop in Paris and a range of clothing and accessories. Music merchandise has come a long way from the days of bands just flogging a tour T shirt at the stall at their gigs.

The album Les chroniques du Wati Boss features unreleased performances by artists on the label

Maître Gims performs the track Hasta la Vista with L'Institut in a  video to promote the album, and given the success of the debut album by Gims, released earlier this year, it should attract more listeners to other acts on the label,

Sexion d'Assaut members Maska, JR O Crome and Black Mesrimes are also present, with their solo work getting some of the spotlight.

Sexion d'Assaut play in Paris at the end of September for the Urban Peace 3 hip hop event at the Stade de France.

Maître Gims: Bella

A new video by Sexion D'Assaut rapper

Maître Gims for the track Bella.

The track comes from his debut solo album Subliminal, which was released at the end of May.

The vive with its bullfighting theme certainly seems to be aiming to be a summer hit.

The album's already gone on to reach platinum status, the song J' me tire giving him a massive hit.

Meanwhile, he's still playing with Sexion D'Assaut as their tour continues until September. Their fourth album L'Apogée has been one of the most high-profile hip hop releases in the country for years.

The band are already planning its follow up, to be titled Le Retour des rois, although it's not expected to be released until 2015.

Maître Gims: Pas touché

Another track from Sexion D'Assaut rapper Maître Gims has emerged, this time the song Pas touché, a duet with Cuban American rapper Pitbull.

It's another track to come from his debut solo album Subliminal, following the hit J'me Tire.

Other tracks Bella and more recently VQ2PQ have emerged, all very different tracks giving the impression that the 18 tracks of Subliminal will be a multi-faceted affair

Sexion D'Assaut's second album - L'apogée - was one of the biggest selling French albums of 2012, and Gims' new collection is certainly one of the most anticipated of the genre this year.

Gims' solo success hasn't meant the end of Sexion D'Assaut by any means, they're still performing live - including shows in paris on June 1 and 2 - and have confirmed details of their third album, which will be entitled Le retour des rois

Subliminal is released on May 20

Maître Gims: J'me tire

The video's been unveiled for the single J'me tire, by French rapper Maître Gims, one of the main voices in French hip hop
collective Sexion d'Assaut.

The track by the rapper known to his family as Gandhi Djuna looks et to be one of the big hits of spring 2013.

The song is currently at number one in the French singles chart, where it's been for the last three weeks.

J'me tire is the second track from the forthcoming album to emerge, following on from the song M.P.S (Meutre Par Strangulation).

The clip for J'me tire comes out just a short time after Sexion d'Assaut released the track Cérémonie as a single, from the extended edition of their album L'apogée.

Sexion d'Assaut are continuing their programme of live dates, and while they look on track to be France's most popular rap act, the attention will also no doubt benefit the solo career of Maître Gims.

His debut album Subliminal is available from May 20.

Sexion d'Assaut: Cérémonie

A new video for the track Cérémonie (Feat. Dry) by Sexion d'Assaut.

the track comes from the new edition of their L'Apogée album, originally released in March last year, which has gone on to be one of France's biggest rap albums.

The new video comes to mark the re-issue of the album in a special edition format with six extra tracks.

The video makes comment on the fact that despite the success the act has enjoyed, they've not been given the recognition from awards ceremonies that they might have been expected.

They've been performing live incessantly since the release of L'Apogée, and are continuing to sell out arenas around the country, as documented in their Concert Bercy Live CD and DVD released at the end of last year.

They play at the Olympia in Paris in June for two nights.

NRJ Music Awards 2013 winners

Some of France's biggest names were out at the weekend with teh annual NRJ music awards being held in Cannes,a  major showcase for the country's talent as well as an opportunity for some of the biggest international acts to grace the stage in France in front of a massive audience.

Press in the UK were more focussed on One Direction and taylor Swift being in the same building at the same time

Francophone breakthrough of the year: Tal

Female Francophone artist of the year: Shy'm

Male Francophone artist of the year: M Pokora

Francophone group/duo of the year: Sexion d'Assaut

French song of the year: Sexion d'Assaut - Avant Qu'elle Part

Elsewhere, acts like Carly Rae Jepson, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, One Direction and Psy took the international categories, Psy getting two awards, for best international song and best international video.

There were live performance by a huge number of acts, including Nolwenn Leroy, Shy'm, Jennifer, Tal, Mylène Farmer Sexion d'Assaut, M Pokora and Johnny Hallyday.

Sad to see that the official videos on the TF1 website are geoblocked and unable to watch outside France. I suspect any unofficial videos that have appeared on video sites will be pulled before too long, so I'll not actually link to them.

Previous years have seen the performances available to watch internationally online from the official site, so I'll check again to see if the videos become available later.