This Saturday evening, the Nîmes festival welcomed stars of the French rap scene.
The Nîmes Festival gives pride of place to young hip-hop artists, but it is the previous generation who got the ball rolling this Saturday at the arenas. No nostalgia though because the fifty-somethings of French rap haven’t said their last word and still have the flame!
Before nightfall, MC Solaar opened the evening in front of an audience of latecomers, with his cool flow, “his cyclone of sweetness” and a set centered on his hits from the 1990s. Get over it, Caroline, Obsolete, Fashion Victim… The singer makes the arenas ripple with his classics but also knows how to shake the audience with the frantic rhythm of his recent song Crazye or the oldest Solaar cries. “In this special moment”the concert “gives hope”explains the rapper, soberly discussing the political situation.
Obviously a large part of the public came especially for IAM. She was served! Big sound, giant screen with images of the northern districts or the distance, boundless energy, spectacular show… The planet Marseille and Akhenaten’s gang have put the arenas into orbit. Delighted to play in Nîmes, constantly inviting the public to participate, making the Mia without waiting for reminders, the group knows how to make us forget the grayness of the present. “Tonight is quite a journey. What a throwback”exclaims Akhenaton, who recalls that he and his group are “always kids”.
The rappers ended the evening with a political speech. Shurik’n invites the public to “stay together, even if it’s not going to be easy. You have to give your best to come out on top.” “We must stay together, young, old, Jews, Catholics”continues Akhenaten, renewing his support to a “Free Palestine”. “Take care of yourself. Peace! Peace”conclude the artists.
