“Gangsta’s Paradise”: for “The Voice kids”, a young suburbanite from Toulouse will dare to interpret Coolio’s rap

He has been singing since he was 6 years old, now 14, and is about to start school at the Bessières middle school. Rafael Cicoletta is, one might say, a child of the ball, as he has been immersed in the world of song and show business since he was young. “I always heard my father sing, I wanted to do the same, it was something natural,” says Ugo’s little brother. These three now have in common having participated in the most famous talent show on French television today: “The Voice”, season 11 for Fabien the dad, and season 13, which ended last spring, for Ugo the big brother. A great experience that they shared so much as a family that it made Rafael want to try it too. “At first I was shy about getting started, I didn’t really like all those cameras. And then they (the family) finally convinced me,” he confides.

“I want to go far in the adventure”

It was still necessary to choose a title likely to make the young Buzétois shine on the TF1 set (broadcast Saturday evening at 9 p.m.). With “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio, it is a great classic of the American rap repertoire that Rafael is tackling. But not just any title either, he who cites Ray Charles and a certain Stevie Wonder in his references… he who originally inspired the global hit that is “Gangsta’s Paradise”, we also remember the soundtrack of the film “Rebel Spirits” released in 1995. In short, heavy stuff, which Rafael, with his anything but approximate English, is preparing to make as credible as possible, by recalling the sulphurous side of Coolio. “English, even American, I think I have a good command of because I’ve been singing it for a long time,” admits the teenager, who actually came to rap when his young voice suddenly changed. He says that this rap period might not last and he might return to singing quite quickly. By continuing to attend, for example, the nearby singing school of Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe (Tarn), “Les Feux de la Rampe” run by… his parents, Fabien and Pascale, who, it should be remembered, were once members of the Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse as dancers.
But for now, let’s get to the lights of the “The Voice Kids” set, this great show whose principle is, let’s remember, to sing in front of a jury of 4 artists with their seats turned around (Editor’s note: Lara Fabian, Patrick Fiori, Claudio Capéo and Slimane). At least one of them has to turn around so that the candidate can choose his coach and continue the adventure with the famous “battle” and all the rest… “I would like all 4 of them to turn around to my rap. I don’t really have a preference and I will choose based on what they tell me about my performance,” Rafael emphasizes. A good point already for him: “Gangsta’s Paradise” has never been performed in any TV talent show known to date! This is to say that Rafael Cicoletta can make his mark if he manages to convince the judges and be trained by his coach: “I want to go far in this adventure. Ok, pass the wheelchair test, but above all have a good time and make my family proud of me.”