Last year, the two-week hip hop event had attracted many followers of this urban culture.
50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem had better watch out. The hip-hop scene in the Alpes-Maritimes area is on the rise. And it aims to overshadow the biggest names in the business. According to the key players, rappers from the Alpes-Maritimes have nothing to envy those from Marseille or Paris, the legendary cities of this music born in the depths of American ghettos.
“In Nice, there is an unmatched rap talent rate in France,” says Nemanja Pajkovic. “The day it catches fire, we’re going to wreak havoc!”
This young Serb, who arrived in Nice at the age of 9, knows what he’s talking about since he is part of a group, “Larmes de Sang” (Tears of Blood). After less than two years of existence, the group is already releasing a Street CD, soon available at Fnac. “What we’ve managed to achieve in such a short time is wonderful. Everything has happened so fast.” Their greatest pride? A feature on the upcoming album of Moubaraka, a rapper from the 9-4 area. He has already worked with big names in the French rap scene. A lucky break for the young people from Nice. “He promised us we would get airtime on Skyrock!” With that, thousands of listeners and perhaps a bit more recognition for Azuréen rap could follow.
“When we say we rap in Nice, people laugh,” explains Matt from the group “Faze Terminale” and creator of the website rap-06.com. He and three friends started from the observation that there was a real lack of communication about hip-hop in the department. Thus, the website was created in December 2005 and the association, bearing the same name, in February 2006. Since then, the site receives 2500 unique visitors per month and the forum, 5000. “We were really surprised by this success,” admits Palpitt, the webmaster. “At the start, we thought if we had 200 visits a month, it would be good.”
These young Azuréens have decided to fight against the many difficulties affecting hip hop culture in the Alpes-Maritimes. “The big problem is the image of rap. We have always tried to break the stereotypes but the authorities feed quite a bit on these prejudices.”
Another difficulty, the lack of infrastructure. Razak Mameri is passionate. With his track jacket slung over his shoulders and his turned-down baggy jeans, he couldn’t be mistaken for a techno fan. The 29-year-old is a rapper, graffiti artist, and president of the association La Gamelle. He is also part of the collective “A Concert Hall in Nice.” Because Nice, the fifth-largest city in France, has no current music hall that can accommodate between 500 and 1000 spectators. “My association tries to organize concerts for local artists. They mostly take place in bars.”
In addition to the lack of venues to become known to the public, aspiring rappers have no one to turn to. “In Marseille or Paris, when a young person says he wants to rap, we guide them to writing classes, singing… Here, we don’t know what to tell you,” laments Razak. But the man remains very clear-headed. He is not the type to wait for everything to fall into his lap. “I am very optimistic about rap in the 06. The problem is to find people as optimistic as me and especially, who take action!”
The same sentiment is expressed by Fabrice, from the company Le Cri de la Marmotte which promotes several hip-hop events in the area. “We need to stop always blaming the city council. We must acknowledge that there are also not many people here to make things happen.”
However, Matt and Palpitt are not just sitting on their hands. Soon, the Mix-Tape Rap-06 volume 2 will be released. Like the first, it will be available for free download on the website of the two Azuréens. Concerts should also be organized by the association.
“There’s no reason we can’t reach the level of Marseille or Paris. Rappers from the 06 are getting motivated and organized. Chiens de Paille is a well-known Cannes group at the national level. It’s possible to achieve this.” Respect.
