LAPERO Classiques - French Rap: the essential playlist to (re)discover French-speaking hip-hop culture

The cream of the crop, the best of the best, this compilation of the best French rap songs is perfect for a blind test!

French rap has existed for over thirty years and has continued to reinvent itself. From the 90s to today, it has gone from an underground movement to a true pillar of popular culture.

To pay tribute to this musical and cultural wealth, here is a selection of 60 emblematic pieces, available on Spotify , Deezer , YouTube Music and Apple Music . Prepare yourself for a journey through eras and styles!

The pioneers and the golden age of French rap

In the 90s, IAM , Suprême NTM , MC Solaar and Doc Gynéco laid the foundations of a rap scene with a unique identity. Legendary tracks like L'empire du côté obscur (IAM), Laisse pas freiner ton fils (NTM) or Les temps changement (MC Solaar) evoke both the social conscience and the raw energy of the beginnings. This is also the decade when major collectives like La Cliqua or Secteur Ä emerged, including Nèg' Marrons or Passi , illustrating the explosion of creativity of this period.

The advent of the 2000s: diversity and maturity

At the turn of the 2000s, French rap established itself in a lasting way. Artists and collectives like 113 , Mafia K'1 Fry , Fonky Family , Rohff and Booba competed in styles and flows. The lyrics gained in maturity and addressed both the ego trip and the realities of the neighborhood ( Pour ceux de Mafia K'1 Fry, La puissance de Rohff, Les princes de la ville de 113). Diam's , the first female rapper to achieve such popularity, left a lasting mark with her famous La Boulette .

At the same time, MCs like Sinik , Soprano or Sniper (with the essential Gravé dans la roche ) impose a rap that is both conscious and accessible. Disiz joins the dance with the cult J'pète les plombs , proving that you can also rely on humor and self-mockery.

The New Wave: The Explosion of Styles and Musical Diversity

Over the past ten years, the French rap scene has exploded thanks to the emergence of artists with varied backgrounds. Orelsan , with La terre est ronde or Basique , has imposed an introspective and creative style. Damso and Angèle , with Silence , mark the meeting of raw rap and refined pop, while Lomepal and Roméo Elvis (with 1000°C ) shake up the codes with innovative sounds.

The Marseille scene continues to shine: Jul participates in the huge success of Bande Organisé alongside SCH and Soso Maness , giving Marseille rap a strong visibility. Finally, Bigflo & Oli confirm the popularity of a unifying rap with Dommage , testifying to the mainstream evolution of the genre.

A playlist to discover or immerse yourself in history

From Nés sous la même étoile to Basique , including unforgettable collaborations (e.g. Ma Benz with Lord Kossity), these 60 tracks trace the evolution of French rap, its favorite themes, its styles and its challenges. They show how rich and protean this musical movement is, without ever losing its committed DNA.

Whether you are nostalgic for the golden age or curious about the new wave, this playlist on the main streaming platforms is the perfect opportunity to (re)discover the great classics that have forged and continue to fuel the legend of French rap. Plug in your headphones, turn up the volume and let yourself be carried away by these 60 emblematic tracks !

Enjoy listening!

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