Hip Hop Alive and Breathing in Paris
Story and Photos by Abraham Menor

Hip Hop is alive and breathing in Paris, France, as was confirmed to me during my recent trip.   I journeyed to many areas in Paris in hopes of getting a true sense of the city as a whole.   Each and every single time, I felt and noticed the presence of Hip Hop.   I have read about many iconic places in Paris and have seen many pictures.   But experiencing this marvelous city in the eyes of a person who lived for Hip Hop, the city became that much more alive and interesting.   Witnessing the image of the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop for Snirby the Clown breakdancing with a soccer ball was enough for me to know that Hip Hop was alive and breathing in Paris.   Not understanding a single word of what anyone was saying in a cypher at a club and still feeling the energy and passion again confirmed that Hip Hop was alive and breathing in Paris.

 

I made it my mission while I was in Paris to venture out and learn how the French lived Hip Hop. I began my journey at Chatelet les Halles, a hub for Parisian Hip Hop culture. Chatelet les Halles is a place that contains interesting boutiques, cafes, and characters as well as many different ethnic groups crossing paths.   There are a myriad of shops that supply the latest fashions and sounds in Hip Hop.   Among these shops is a boutique by the name of Ekirok.   It was at this boutique that I came across a few people whom graciously agreed to allow me to interview them so that I could gain insight into the Hip Hop scene in Paris.  

The first person I crossed paths with at Ekirok was “Dad.”   When I first met Dad, from his style of dress to his manner of speaking, I knew he was a true Hip Hopper.   According to Dad, Hip Hop was in its full glory in 1982, when Afrika Bambaata, the Zulu Nation, and the Rock Steady Crew performed at the first major Hip Hop concert in Paris. Since then, Hip Hop has grown and the four elements of Hip Hop – MCing, DJing, graffiti, and b-boying – continue to be practiced and represented.   In regards to graffiti, TPK, UV, and the Grim Team are a few crews that have gained notoriety.   The b-boy and dance communities are also making their mark.   Some of the top b-boy and dance groups in the world are based in Paris.   Within the music scene, DJs and MCs continue to produce mixtapes and CDs.   Dad did mention to me that American rap definitely has made its mark on the scene and continues to be a huge influence on French rap.   Often times in Paris, one will find that American rap music is more readily available than French rap music.   Dad confirmed that this was understandable, because after all, Hip Hop began in America.  

I asked Dad if I could hang out at the boutique with him to take pictures of customers walking in and out.   After taking pictures of several customers, I came across G-Mike, someone who turned out to be instrumental in helping me uncover information regarding French Hip Hop.   Just like Dad, G-Mike had a style that resembled the Hip Hop flavor.   He sported a hoodie and baggy jeans.   He also rocked some big headphones over his ears and a pick in his afro.   The entire look reminded me of Pete Rock's “Surviving Elements.”  

G-Mike opened the doors for me to experience first hand a small part of the Hip Hop scene in Paris. The first thing that G-Mike told me which got my full attention was his appreciation for the underground Hip Hop movement in the United States. He invited me to check out a tribute show for J-Dilla.   G-Mike was kind enough to provide me with his contact information so that we could attend the show together.  

The next day I went back to Chatelet les Halles to purchase my ticket for the show.   The performers for the show included Aloe Blacc, DJ Exile, DJ Fab, DJ House Shoes, and Illa J.   That evening, I arrived at Le Bus Palladium and the music was as loud as can be.   90's hits from Mobb Deep and KRS One were blasting through the speakers.   I saw freestyle dancers in a cypher, heads banging to every classic jam that came on, and the crowd growing by the second.   People from all ethnic backgrounds were present.   When the first J-Dilla song came on, the crowd became hysterical.   Everyone knew every word to every song.   It was the perfect scene for me to take pictures.   With the help of G-Mike translating for me, I was able to capture amazing pictures.   Several people expressed to me that they were shocked when they found out that J-Dilla passed away but that he continues to affect their lives through his music.   At the end of the night, a tribute was given and everyone was silent with their fists and lighters in the air.   It was at this point that I was reminded that Hip Hop culture was definitely a language that crossed all borders.

The next day, I met up with G-Mike, and he shared with me that there is a mainstream side to the music as well as an underground side.   Although a mainstream and commercial side existed, G-Mike stated that true followers of Hip Hop continue to strive to understand the culture and uplift it.   I learned that Hip Hop has a big impact on the youth culture not only in Paris, but in other big cities in France such as Marseilles, Nantes, and Toulouse.   He also pointed out that there were many cultures that contribute and take part in French Hip Hop.   People who come to France from countries such as Algeria, Congo, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia as well as people from Asia, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East all contribute their own uniqueness to French Hip Hop.   As an example, G-Mike said that these people will include traditional music from their homeland and add it to Hip Hop music to create something new.   Instruments such as gongs, the sitar, and the tabla are sometimes added to beats to form interesting sounds.   This same uniqueness is also prevalent in the style of dress among Hip Hoppers in Paris.   Similar to the bright color schemes that one often sees in African and Caribbean fashion, Hip Hoppers in Paris will wear clothing with bright colors and add their own twist such as a pair of painted sneakers to make the style their own.   

G-Mike said that the music industry continues to have a lot of power in promoting certain artists.   He confirmed that it was difficult for independent artists and music labels to become successful and reach all the people because there were not enough outlets and resources.   He said he'd like to see more real Hip Hop in the mainstream because he feels that what is represented in the mainstream at this point in time is not indicative of the real issues that affect the lives of people.   G-Mike would also like to see more messages on issues such as povert, racism, sexism, and violence because these are the issues that affect people in the Hip Hop community.   When I mentioned to G-Mike that there are some universities in the United States that offer courses related to Hip Hop culture, G-Mike was shocked.   For G-Mike and his fellow Hip Hoppers, the internet is one of the few resources where one can research Hip Hop culture and reach out to others who share the same interests.   It was obvious to me how much G-Mike respects and seeks to spread and uplift the Hip Hop culture.   At the end of our interview, G-Mike simply said, “rap is something you do, and Hip Hop is something you live.”

Some French Hip Hop:

Graffitti: BBC, KOA, TPK, UV, Batsh, Regal, and The Grimm Team

B-boys & B-girls: Fantastik Armada, Hit Posse, Pokemon, Section C, and Vagabond Crew

Music: Bokaz, DJ Fab, DJ Sensy, Bouba, Diam, Hocus Pocus, IAM, Klub des Loosers, Marvel Zod, Nowles MC Solaar, The Outsider Band, Oxmo Puccino, Saian Supa Crew, Badlee Mandehla, Sages Poetes, and Why Team

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