French

I recently got introduced to the awesomeness that is French hip hop. Now, while I can't understand what they are saying, the ability of the French language to sound good when put to a beat is undeniable. The language was made for rapping. The French scene is the second biggest in the world after the US hip hop scene. Few outside of French speaking countries realize how big French hip hop really is.






Noble Art - IAM featuring Method Man and Redman

IAM is one of the biggest groups in the history of French hip hop. This song was realesed in 2004, but IAM has been around in one form or another since 1989. This song even makes Redman listenable.

La Haine - DJ Cut Killer and Supreme NTM

DJ Cut Killer is a great French DJ and here is helped by a band that in the world of French hip hop can only be compared to controversial US groups such as N.W.A. Here, Cut Killer uses very recognizable American samples (including Biggie, and yes that is a Wu-Tang sample at the very end of the song) along with Supreme NTM's harsh use of the French language to great effect.

Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo - MC Solaar

No post about French hip hop would be complete without the most popular of them all. MC Solaar is the definitive French hip hop artist. He even recieved a small amount of success in the US. This song is the title song from his 1990 platinum album. The title means "He who sows the wind reaps the rhythm". His voice is smooth as hell, and his production is stellar.