The 30-year-old rapper released a first solo album on Friday which leaves no one indifferent, particularly because it displeases those who were expecting a return to drill.
Apocalypse in apotheosis. According to figures communicated by the Spotify platform, Gazo’s new album – released Friday – would have accumulated more than 6 million plays in 24 hours, dethroning Pyramid by Werenoi and its 4.9 million listens. His name: Apocalypse. A promise that is not kept because in this first solo album, awaited since his mixtape Drill FR in 2021, Gazo talks about everything except the end of the world. Much to the dismay of his many fans.
With Apocalypsethe 30-year-old rapper apparently alienates his most loyal listeners. On social networks, criticism is pouring in. What do we blame the artist for? Partly from having strayed too far from his favorite field, “drill” (a musical subgenre of hip-hop launched in Chicago in the mid-2010s), which led to his meteoric rise – in just three years – among the greatest urban artists in the country.
Booba attacks Gazo and Jul
By selling his project asApocalypseGazo nevertheless announced the color. A return to his brutal, fast, violent style, carried by his heavy, almost metallic voice. Fans imagined finding the color of blood, but they were finally served by that of love. One wonders if during the recording of the 15 titles, Gazo would not have left his place to Ibrahima Diakité, his name in the city. The apocalypse is synonymous with catastrophe, end of the world, annihilation. But here, it’s the album that “ is truly catastrophic », quips an Internet user.
« He’s the singer for the whole album », « Gazo drools on the microphone », « the worst album I’ve listened to in my life », « we can listen to the album in a primary school without problem »… Find positive comments on Apocalypse is almost mission impossible. However, Gazo was accompanied by the most prominent artists in the industry: Jul, Offset, Orelsan… Without convincing everyone. His collaboration with the Marseille rapper on the title Birthday is even the most criticized: “ Gazo became chirpy », We can read about In his car, the 47-year-old artist said to Birthday that it was the “ worst sound [qu’il] heard in his life ».
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« Men lie, but not eavesdroppers »
Not everything has to be thrown away, far from it. Fans raved about the album’s first track Surewell in the “drill” spirit of Gazo 2021. As well as Nanana Nananawhich became the most listened to rap track in 24 hours on Spotify in 2024 with 1.2 million plays – ahead Cartier Santos of SDM. His collaboration with Yamê, famous interpreter of Bike (2023), also caused a positive reaction from Internet users. Just like the concluding title Iluvwhich some would have liked to see earlier in the album. And faced with numerous negative reviews, Gazo was quick to react. “ Men lie, but not eavesdroppers », he wrote on his networks. Before announcing a new project for 2025, in which he wishes to invite an artist on each track, like the latest album by his friend and colleague Tiakola, BDLM.
« Being here is already a victory, so it’s a second victory »
Gazo during the Victoires de la Musique in 2023.
For several years, Gazo has deviated from his original style of music. His collaborations with Heuss L’Enfoiré (Saiyan) et Soolking (Casanova) in the summer of 2023 took it into a new dimension. That of a more melodious rap which has found its audience. At the end of 2023, it was released Melo is Gangxa joint project with Tiakola, considered one of the best music lovers in French rap. And in May, he lent his voice to a piece by Adèle Castillon (This evening). His ability to experiment with new musical genres allowed him to win – tied with Vianney – the Victoires de la Musique for male artist of the year in 2023. « Being here is already a victory, so it’s a second victory », he then declared when receiving his trophy.
Gauze – Fiesta (excerpt fromApocalypse )
