Born on March 5th: MC Solaar, the father of French hip-hop

His real surname is Claude M’Barali. We all know him today as MC Solaar. He was born in 1969 in Dakar, Senegal. 

A few months later, he left his native country, headed for France. The young Claude grew up in the suburbs of Paris, more precisely in Saint-Denis where he discovered the beauty of hip-hop culture. Passionate about literature, he quickly fell in love with words, a love that allowed him to mark the world of music with his lyrics distinguished by the finesse of his play on words and his passion for alliteration. His unique pen sublimates each verse and gives an undeniable depth to his messages.

His musical journey began in the 1990s, when he joined the collective “Time Bomb”, before becoming known in 1991 with his first album “Qui sème le cent récolte le tempo”. This album was a huge success and marked the beginning of his career. The single “Bouge de là”, which became an anthem of French rap, propelled MC Solaar to the forefront of the music scene.

MC Solaar quickly made his mark on thehop-hop world because he played with rhymes, to approach varied, sometimes delicate subjects like no other. Whether talking about politics or love, he and his music have been a pillar for young people for several generations.

His influence goes beyond the boundaries of urban music as he becomes a key figure on the French music scene. Despite his style sometimes considered too intellectual compared to that of his contemporaries, MC Solaar is very committed to the fight against inequality and for freedom of expression, which makes him a very inspiring and respectable artist. The causes close to his heart continue to exist for new generations, even if they take other forms. Even today, his words, written in a completely different era, resonate for young people who discover him nowadays.

After a long eclipse, MC Solaar returned to the forefront with Paradisiaque (2021) and an ambitious Tryptique (with a bit of electro, Latin salsa, and even folk!) during the year 2024. He also returns to the stage with a certain happiness...

(Larisa Lungu - Tr.: MH - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)
Photo: MC Solaar at the Arena 5 festival in Brussels (Belgium) on July 16, 2022