For many American audiences, putting the words “French” and “rap” together in a sentence often results in amused snickers. But the language of love also has an edge, as leading French rap and hip-hop artist MC Solaar proves in his latest album, “Cinquième As,” released on Elektra Entertainment.
Born in Dakar, Senegal, and raised in Cairo and Paris, MC Solaar’s creative lyrics, haunting melodies and solid rhythms make “Cinquème As” (translated as Fifth Ace) enjoyable for Francophones and international audiences alike. The album was released in France in 2001 and recently released in the United States.
Through his music, MC Solaar often uses wonderful imagery and plays on words to tell sad stories of disheartened people floating through the French mainstream.
The song “Solaar Pleure” (Solaar Weeps), played almost non-stop on French radio stations last year, is a kind of eulogy telling of the death of MC Solaar and a battle between good and evil. The song is his last will and testament, and he acts as a kind of messiah or messenger to the people. He sacrifices himself, hoping that his death will send the message to kids to know the difference between what is true or false.
Solaar dies and goes to heaven, but because of his crimes on Earth, the archangel casts him into hell. Instead of accepting his fate, he calls on St. Theresa, Buddha and other biblical characters to wage war against the “Satanic Liar.” With Solaar’s repentance and tears, they destroy the devil, only to have him re-emerge on Earth.
MC Solaar offers an English version of “Solaar Pleure” on the album, but it does not flow as eloquently in English as it does in French. Many of the expressions he uses in the French version are difficult to accurately translate into English. But when he relaxes into his native tongue, the words flow from him like gospel.
“¡Hasta la Vista Mi Amor!” also raced to the top of the French music charts last year. Sung in Spanish, it has an infectious beat that will set listeners’ bodies bumping.
The language barrier may prevent some understanding of the stories woven into these songs, but it cannot hold up against the hip-hop rhythms. “Cinquème As” continues to gain international popularity because audiences in any language can enjoy the music.
Even those listeners who have to sing along to the music can simply skip to track 7. The entire chorus is “la la la, la … la la la, la.”
E-mail reporter Jen West
at [email protected].