La Vie en Rap: French and British Rap Collaborations

Courtesy of Kmeron on Flickr

There has long been an alliance between the French and the British. However, who would have guessed that recent European rap collaborations would be driving such healthy international relations? Headie One’s album No Borders: European Compilation Project, released at the end of 2022, featured various singles with French artists such as Gazo, Koba LaD and Nej, hinting at what British rap could soon sound like. However, the album does not appear to have received the credit that it deserved, whether that be on British or European soil. Alternatively, Dave’s collaboration with French rapper Tiakola on his summer singles “Meridian” and “Special” received over 50 million listens on Spotify. The rhythmic lull of Tiakola’s summery sounding verses perfectly juxtaposed Dave’s intrinsically trappy vocals. Dave even teased listeners with a rogue line in French, ensuring a female fanbase not just in the UK, but now most certainly France. Are such global collaborations dangerous liaisons or do they preface the future of British rap?

European collaborations are not, ironically, a foreign concept. Central Cee’s 2022 track Eurovision is the ultimate crossover of European artists, featuring verses in Italian, German, French as well as Spanish. Through affirming such strong relationships with European rappers, Central Cee has secured a loyal fanbase in France, where the SNEP (Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique) recorded his single “Doja” reaching 7th on French charts. In truth, hearing the artists iconic line “How can I be homophobic, my b*itch is gay?” being hurled in a thick French accent on the rues of Paris is, quite frankly, enough to heal all ruptured European alliances in this post-Brexit climate. Alternatively, Dave brings attention to  discrimination in France in Special when he states “Love the French, but f*ck the government, there’s too much Islamophobia". Rishi Sunak and Macron could learn something from these young rappers. Perhaps instead of reinforcing such strong borders or implementing oppressive policies, they could prioritise transcending boundaries, like Central Cee and Dave have done through their numerous hits.

British rappers are fond of European destinations for other reasons than just rap. Central Cee, to reference him again, was recently the face of Jacquemus’ 2022 FW campaign, in which he fashioned a fuzzy pink jumper and beanie ensemble. Rappers establishing relationships with individuals outside their immediate profession, yet still within the sphere of the arts, is conducive to preserving strong cultural links with the country. 

Digga D and Skepta have equally been invited to France’s capital to attend luxury fashion shows. Skepta, the iconic British rapper and now fashion designer, hosted an impromptu show at Silencio Club (a speak-easy style club owned by surrealist film director David Lynch) to promote his collaboration with rising rapper K-Trap in December of last year. Despite tickets being sold for a humble 14 euros (unfathomable given the status of the heralded rapper), the ambiently-lit club was buzzing with French fans, awaiting an unforgettable performance from ‘The Big Smoke’. Et voilà, he did not disappoint. After his performance in the trendy 2nd arrondissement, he headed to the Jacquemus show the following day, where he rivaled Parisienne fashionistas in a black tailored suit. Rap is synonymous with high-end, luxury fashion. It is therefore no surprise that rappers are drawn to the fashion capital of Europe, to perform, or to enjoy the delights that the city has to offer, whether this be collaborations or new clobber. 

Let’s not forget les filles. Aya Nakamura is a name you may recognise, following her collaboration with Stormzy on her single Plus Jamais. My flatmate, an Economics and Statistics student, grew fond of Aya Nakamura despite not speaking a word of the language. The dare I say sexy tone of her voice and power of her raps are enough to allure foreign audiences, a testament to her musical abilities. One would hope that such collaborations continue, for the benefit of British and European musicians, designers and listeners alike. I aspire to hear French rap hurled in the upstairs room of Scala, on the rue of Bloomsbury and at Mully’s Karaoke Evenings. I think it is just a matter of time… j’espère.