Sexion D’Assaut has operated as a loose collective of rappers for over 10 years. Now, they’ve solidified into a French Rap group with permanent members.
The eight Paris MCs in the group are Maitre Gims, Lefa, Maska, Adams aka Barack Adama or Adama Diallo, JR O Crome aka Jeryzoos, Black Mesrimes aka Black M, Doumams, and L.I.O. aka Petrodollars. The group strives for universal reach, shunning the “gangsta rap” or “bling bling” Rap genres.
Sexion d’Assaut makes me nostalgic, because I grew up listening to a lot of rap groups, and there aren’t too many of those around anymore.
In 2010, they released their breakout debut album, L’École Des Points Vitaux. The group released a couple of singles (the title track and Casquette à l’envers), but it was the third single, “Désolé,” that put Sexion d’Assaut on the map. On the strength of their mega-hit, the album went triple platinum and reached number 2 on the charts.
After “Désolé,” everything they touched turned to gold, it seems. The song “Wati by Night” cracked the top 100 as well.
En Attendant L’Apogée : Les Chroniques Du 75
In between official albums, the group released a mix CD and accompanying DVD called En Attendant L’Apogée : Les Chroniques Du 75, which showcased different members of the group. Even though it was just supposed something to tide fans over and maintain their buzz, the mixtape spawned a couple of hits itself. My favorite was “A bout d’souffle.”
The video is pretty cool too, alternating between reality and a comic book motif.
My head nods almost involuntarily every time I hear the beat, and the chorus is really catchy and singable once you learn it:
“La j’suis pas bien
Donc la morale tu vas la faire a d’autres
La j’suis pas bien
la morale tu vas la faire a d’autres”
Here it is, “A bout d’souffle.”
L’ApogéeTheir latest album, L’Apogee, debuted at #1 in France spent a whopping 20 consecutive weeks in the top 5 — reaching the #1 spot again 5 more times during those weeks. The album went diamond, and was the best-selling French album of 2012. The group dominated the charts with hit single after hit single, including “Avant qu’elle parte,” “J’rest debout,” “Disque d’or,” and “Ma Direction.”
In case you haven’t picked up on it by now, this “rap” group loves to sing. I don’t blame them, though. Those catchy hooks are what catch people’s ear, and it’s a way to get casual Hip Hop fans to know your songs, even if they don’t pay close attention otherwise. Sung hooks also happen to be radio-friendly, so they get lots of airplay for songs like “Balader.”
Maître Gims, who’s the de facto the leader of the crew, continued the singing tradition on his breakout solo album Subliminal, which was one of the best French albums of 2013. It turns out that the rapper has pipes, which he showcased beautifully throughout and not just on the hooks
Black M is the latest member of the group to step out on his own, with his 2014 album, Les yeux plus gros que le monde.
What do you think of Sexion d’Assaut? Do you think they sing too much, or do you like that? Whose the best rapper in the group? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
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i like lots