In the shadow of the big names in rap in its early days, Meryl is today one of the most influential Martinican artists of her generation. At 28, she continues her rise with a first album, this Friday June 14.
For years, Meryl worked in the shadow of many French rappers such as Soprano, Shay, Niska and SCH. But for a little less than five years, the 28-year-old Martinican artist has finally been recognized for her own music: a mixture of zouk, dancehall, R’n’B, hip-hop and other rhythms from the West Indies, with texts rapped in Creole and French.
After a successful EP, Ozororreleased in 2023, two nominations for the Victoires de la Musique and the Flammes in 2024, Meryl is now reaching a milestone this Friday June 14 and unveils her first album, Caviar I.
“It’s an achievement,” rejoices the artist to BFMTV.com. “We’re getting there so I’m happy. I’m already looking forward to moving on and offering other things.”
Beginning in the shadow of rappers
Because Meryl has had a passion for music since she was very young. Born in Lamentin in Martinique, she started in the industry in the 2010s helped by her cousin Specta. A rapper himself, he advises her on structuring her lyrics and finding her artistic touch. Together, Meryl and Specta will release two collaborations: DNA And Textual aggression.
“It was really my starting point. I had opportunities with Specta who was already well established in music and then I moved up little by little,” explains Meryl.
In 2015, when she flew to Montpellier to start a degree after her baccalaureate, on the advice of her parents, Meryl simultaneously continued her early career in music. There, she was spotted by the Montpellier producer Mr. Nin who allowed her to release her first pieces in Martinican Creole. I Luv Dat, Tounin or An Chanjehis first success with the West Indian public.
During this period, Meryl discovered the work of ghostwriter – author who writes for other artists – and topliner – musician who helps artists to put their voice effectively on melodies.
“I was already doing it in Martinique and I was excited about it so I let people know that I was interested. I sent messages and I was spotted,” says the artist.
Solicited by the music publishing house ETMG in Ile-de-France, Meryl joined their stable of beatmakers and topliners and quickly distinguished herself in her ability to produce hits.
Nicknamed “the hired hitmaker”, she works with many leading artists of French rap and pop such as Soprano (Ninja), Matt Pokora (Pain), SCH (The code), Shay (Liquid) or Niska (Monday to Monday). “I started with this job because I wanted to have a place in Paris to start my career. It allowed me to make myself known,” says Meryl.
A versatile artist
Building on her reputation in the industry, Meryl unveils a series of singles in 2019 – Blessed, Blessed, Ah lala, Wollan and The Mist – which will allow him to experience solo success in France. She then continued with her first mixtape Day before Caviar in 2020.
On this disc, the artist exposes his entire musical universe tinged with Caribbean and hip-hop influences, all sprinkled with incisive texts rapped in French and Martinican Creole.
A super effective musical formula that Meryl will bring to life on her EPs Quarantine in 2020 and Ozoror in 2023 but also on his first album Caviar Ireleased this Friday June 14 on his own label Maison Caviar.
In this new record, the rapper draws on her musical heritage and pays homage to the zouk of Martinican artist Princess Lover on the track Bad Studentangry rap in Kissestries the Jamaican genre of slack on Gasolinatries some funk on Siwo but also dembow, a musical style from the Dominican Republic, on Martinican Dembow.
“When I go to the studio I have so much fun that no matter what medium I go to, I’m going to have fun on it,” assures Meryl. “In my young career, I have proposed very different and assertive things so my audience expects it. They know that I can do rap as I can do zouk.”
Making the West Indies shine
For her first album, Meryl surrounded herself with the rapper Josman who can be found on the song Your friend, but also called on several rising West Indian stars of his generation. On the title Martinican Dembowthe rapper thus highlights the artists Lamasa, Jozii, Noelia, Shannon and Yozo.
“It happened quite naturally. With Tutuss (beatmaker and DJ, editor’s note) and we said to ourselves: ‘why don’t we invite lots of artists who would be capable of killing this sound? We asked Yozo , he responded immediately and then the others too,” explains Meryl.
The album Caviar I also ends with a remix of the cult song Siwo in duet with its interpreter, the Martinican artist Jocelyne Béroard, member of the famous group Kassav’. An “important” presence for Meryl.
“Having the validation of someone important in the artistic community in Martinique for my first album means a lot. It’s a recognition that was important to me,” confides the artist.
Next step for Meryl: the stage. After a tour of festivals this summer – Musilac, Cabaret Vert – the artist is expected in France from September then in Martinique and Guadeloupe in December 2024 to bring her new album to life on stage. “We’re not going to do things abruptly, we’re going to add sounds from this record little by little into the show. I can’t wait to sing them with my audience,” concludes Meryl.
