Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a
French hip hop
French hip hop is the hip hop music style developed in French-speaking countries. France is the second largest hip-hop market in the world after the United States.
History
Beginning of French hip hop: the 70s and 80s
By 1982 and 1983, a numbe ...
band formed in 2002, composed of eight
Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label
Wati B
Wati B () is an independent French record label established in 2000 by Dawala and rap band Intouchable. "Wati B" comes from , a Bamanankan expression that means "all the time". Dawala directs the operations of the label.
Due to the popularity of ...
, which is under exclusive license to
Sony Music Entertainment France.
The founding members were L.I.O. Pétrodollars,
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
,
Maska and
Lefa. In 2003, it became a collective as
Maître Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
and JR O Crom joined in. Throughout its existence, it included about 69 rappers, but set-up changed from time to time. The group distinguishes itself of staying away from "bling bling" that other French rappers have adopted. They also retain the style of old school hip-hop, but keep underground influences and spent almost a decade fostering an underground fanbase before releasing their debut studio album ''
L'École des points vitaux
''L'École des points vitaux'' (The school of vital points) is the second official album by French rap group Sexion d'Assaut composed of Maître Gims, Lefa, Barack Adama, Maska, JR O Crom, Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better k ...
'' in 2010.
Their album ''
L'École des points vitaux
''L'École des points vitaux'' (The school of vital points) is the second official album by French rap group Sexion d'Assaut composed of Maître Gims, Lefa, Barack Adama, Maska, JR O Crom, Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better k ...
'' in 2010 went quadruple platinum. The album ''
En attendant L'Apogée: les Chroniques du 75'' in 2011 and ''
L'Apogée'' in 2012 both went platinum and diamond respectively.
The group is reforming in 2020 with a third album, ''
Le Retour des Rois
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which is ...
'', and a national tour scheduled for 2021.
Career
Debut (2002–2004)
The Sexion d'Assaut group was formed in 2002 as a collective. It initially had around thirty members from
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...
and its suburbs, then only those most attached to Sexion d'Assaut remained there. The collective is first formed around the group Assonance (L.I.O,
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
,
Lefa,
Maska and Scrib'R), Prototype 3015 (
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
, JR O Crom and K.A.N.M.S) as well as other groups. Shortly after, solo artists
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
and Doomams joined the collective. The internal group 75 Neces'R, composed of Scrib'R, Akeur and Rod'R, released in cassette format the collective's first official project in 2002: an eponymous mixtape, with underground rappers like the group FMR or the rapper
H Magnum
Guy-Hervé Imboua, better known by his stage name H Magnum, is a French rapper of Ivorian origin signed to the LoudSchool Production record label.
Guy-Hervé Imboua was born in Yopougon, Ivory Coast, and immigrated at the age of 9 years old to Fr ...
.
In 2005, the names of the Assonance and Prototype 3015 groups disappeared in favor of the 3rd Prototype. This group included
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
,
Lefa,
Maska,
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
and JR O Crom. There were also solo artists
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
, Doomams, R-Mak, Balistik, Anraye and L.I.O. (who was abroad at the time), with Jiba Jiba (Amos), Baby Joe (Jonathan Seri) and Dim'One (Khadim Lo) as managers. The first scenes of the group take place on the occasion of
Fête de la Musique
The Fête de la Musique, also known in English as Music Day, Make Music Day or World Music Day, is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June. On Music Day, citizens and residents are urged to play music outside in their neighborho ...
or town hall celebrations. It was during the time of Gang Yaba Gang. The young group teamed up to rent hours at the studio, have t-shirts made and, little by little, establish themselves on the Parisian scene.
The first projects (2005–2008)
The group's meeting with Dawala, founder of the
Wati B
Wati B () is an independent French record label established in 2000 by Dawala and rap band Intouchable. "Wati B" comes from , a Bamanankan expression that means "all the time". Dawala directs the operations of the label.
Due to the popularity of ...
label, takes place shortly after in
Châtelet-Les Halles, organized by
H Magnum
Guy-Hervé Imboua, better known by his stage name H Magnum, is a French rapper of Ivorian origin signed to the LoudSchool Production record label.
Guy-Hervé Imboua was born in Yopougon, Ivory Coast, and immigrated at the age of 9 years old to Fr ...
. It was in 2006 that the first project of a member of the collective came out. This is
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
with its title ''Le Pacte'', a maxi produced in tacit complicity with a close friend, Bakry. This maxi contains eight tracks, the introduction of which, Le Coup finale, features
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
,
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
and Anraye. If the collaborations with
Dry are numerous,
Demon One
Hakim Sid (born 2 July 1975), better known by his stage name Demon One, is a French rapper of Algerian origin.
Hakim Sid was born Choisy-le-Roi, Val-de-Marne of an Algerian father and a French mother started rapping at a very young age. He was ...
is quite distant from the group, with only one participation in the song Interdit en radio, in trio with Dry and
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
, on the compilation Interdit en ''radio Vol.2''. On 13 May 2006, the first mixtape of the internal group 3e Prototype, ''La Terre du milieu'', was released under the
Wati B
Wati B () is an independent French record label established in 2000 by Dawala and rap band Intouchable. "Wati B" comes from , a Bamanankan expression that means "all the time". Dawala directs the operations of the label.
Due to the popularity of ...
label. Doomams participates in the track Freestyle - the same for Black M, which appears twice. R-Mak provides an interlude. Note also an appearance of Anraye.
Balistik, the “phantom” member of the collective, appears once on the title "Ça va ça vient". The song On t'a humilié contributes to the controversy surrounding the group concerning homophobia in September 2010. L.I.O., who went to study in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, did not return to the group until 2010 under the name L.I.O. Petrodollars. On 7 December 2006, it was the turn of
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
to go solo, with an Ep entitled ''
Pour ceux qui dorment les yeux ouverts
''Pour ceux qui dorment les yeux ouverts'' (''For those who sleep with their eyes open'') is an extended play by Congolese-French rapper Gims, which was released on 7 December 2006.
It was also Gims's first solo project produced by Wati B. He a ...
'', in which Koma from the Scred Connexion participate, on the song of the same name, as well as a collaboration with the full group on the track Permanent "Tsunami permanent". In June 2007, the group released their first music video, "Histoire pire que vraie", followed a few months later by "Anti-tecktonik".
The first street album of the 3rd Prototype, entitled ''Le Renouveau'', was released on 4 April 2008 under the Wati B label, in which we find the two previously clipped tracks, as well as featurings with Doomams on the title "Fils de lâche",
Dry on Normal, Kizito on Survivor and R-Mak on "Gotham City", without forgetting, as usual, a good number of feats with
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
. Shortly after, R-Mak left the collective to devote himself to a solo career.
Directly after the release of the street album, the team worked on ''Les Chroniques du mois'', their new songs as well as a freestyle were published every month between July and December 2008. During the month of December, the group released three street clips: "À 30 %", "Où sont les kickeurs?" and "Ah ouais paraît qu'j'suis doué", the third of which contains the clip for the song Even not the SMIC. On 9 January 2009, ''
Les Chroniques du 75
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which is ...
'' is published on the Internet, a net-tape which brings together the sounds of the Chroniques du mois, a few tracks from the street album ''Le Renouveau'' and the mix-tape ''La terre du milieu'' and a few unreleased tracks. The goal of this net-tape was to expand their audience, around 3,000 people at the time according to them, and to promote the next street album.
''L'École des points vitaux'' (2009–2010)
The group released their first street album ''
L'Écrasement de tête
L'Écrasement de tête (Head Crush) is the first street album by the Sexion d'Assaut collective (not taking into account the discography of the 3rd Prototype, the internal group of the Sexion d'Assaut). La Sexion d'Assaut was made up of the 3rd ...
'' on 4 May 2009. They gained notoriety with the general public thanks to two clips: "T'es bête ou quoi?" and "Wati bon son" in collaboration with
Dry. In order to promote the film
Ong bak 2
''Ong Bak 2: The Beginning'' ( th, องค์บาก 2) is a 2008 Thai martial arts film co-directed by Panna Rittikrai and Tony Jaa. Starring Jaa, it is a Standalone film, standalone prequel to the 2003 film ''Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior''. Se ...
: Birth of the Dragon, the title "T'es bête ou quoi?" is used for the soundtrack of the film, featuring images from the film.
Lefa announces in the Rap Mag of March 2010 the dissolution of the group 3e Prototype since the release of this street album. Consequently, Sexion d'Assaut is no longer a collective, but a group in its own right. This street album allows them to begin their first tour with many dates throughout
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
, where it is expected in full venues, to their surprise.
The group's debut album, ''
L'École des points vitaux
''L'École des points vitaux'' (The school of vital points) is the second official album by French rap group Sexion d'Assaut composed of Maître Gims, Lefa, Barack Adama, Maska, JR O Crom, Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better k ...
'', was released on 29 March 2010, by
Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment (SME), also known as simply Sony Music, is an American multinational music company. Being owned by the parent conglomerate Sony Group Corporation, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is owned by Sony Entertainme ...
. It is the one in which L.I.O. Pétrodollars participates, on the song "Paname lève-toi". The album was a huge success, and sold over 19,000 copies in the first week. Titles like "Casquette à l'envers", "L'École des points vitaux" or "Mon gars sûr". The title "Casquette à l'envers" was not released because of
Nadine Morano's statements, but it could have, as the group confided to Mustapha El Atrassi during a television interview: “We could have made this song after the recent statements by Nadine Morano. The Secretary of State had affirmed: "Me what I want from a young person, when he is French, it is (...) that he does not speak verlan, that he does not put his cap upside down. . It’s a way of saying that clothes don’t make a monk. ”15 The album was certified gold three weeks after its release. The title of the album ''
L'École des points vitaux
''L'École des points vitaux'' (The school of vital points) is the second official album by French rap group Sexion d'Assaut composed of Maître Gims, Lefa, Barack Adama, Maska, JR O Crom, Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better k ...
'' is a nod to the manga
Fist of the North Star
is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara. It was serialized in Shueisha's ''shōnen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' for 245 issues published from 1983 to 1988 and initially collected in 27 ' ...
(Ken the Survivor in France). We can notice on the last page of the cover of ''L'École des points vitaux'' that
Lefa writes on a blank sheet: “Next album: L'APO”. This would indicate a semblance of a title or an acronym for a new album: ''
L'Apogée''. The album ''L'École des points vitaux'' has a total of more than 400,000 copies sold, and is certified triple platinum.
The titles "Casquette à l'envers", "J'ai pas les loves", "Wati by Night" and the hit "
Désolé''"'' are a huge success with the general public. Change of atmosphere is part of the soundtrack of the film ''
The A-Team
''The A-Team'' is an American action-adventure television series that ran on NBC from January 1983 to March 1987 about former members of a fictitious United States Army Special Forces unit. The four members of the team were tried by court ma ...
''. These pieces are put in the form of clips throughout 2010. Sexion d'Assaut begins a new tour throughout France, notably in the first part of the most famous rap duo in France,
Suprême NTM
Suprême NTM (), or simply NTM, is a French hip hop band formed in 1989 in Seine-Saint-Denis. The band comprises rappers JoeyStarr and Kool Shen. Their 6 albums were released by Sony Music Entertainment.
The group takes its name from the Fre ...
, the 19 June 2010 at the
Parc des Princes. On 6 June in Bercy, they were to open for American rapper
Jay-Z, but due to a lack of consideration from their American counterparts, they decided not to open for the concert. They are also the subject of many parodies or other jokes, as in the after-sales service of Omar and Fred's broadcasts on
Canal +
Canals or artificial waterways are waterways or engineered channels built for drainage management (e.g. flood control and irrigation) or for conveyancing water transport vehicles (e.g. water taxi). They carry free, calm surface flow und ...
, Willaxxx, or even in a clip by Kevin Razy and the other members of Sexion d'Homos. They are among the first French artists to exceed one million fans (with
Daft Punk and
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta ( , ; born 7 November 1967) is a French DJ and music producer. He has over 10 million album and 65 million single sales globally, with more than 10 billion streams. In 2011, 2020 and 2021, Guetta was voted the number one D ...
) on the Facebook community site, in August 2010.
''L'Apogée'' (2011–2012)
![Maska](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Maska.jpg)
On 4 April 2011, the group released a mixtape called ''
En attendant L'Apogée: les Chroniques du 75''. The CD / DVD sells over 150,000 copies. All of the project's tracks have a clip on the DVD, accompanied by an exclusive documentary on the group's journey. On 18 November 2011, Sexion d'Assaut uploaded a freestyle entitled "Welcome to the Wa". In this new video, they announce that the first clip of ''
L'Apogée'' will be called "Mets pas celle-là", which will be released on 11 December 2011 on the official Facebook of Sexion d'Assaut. In this video,
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
and
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
also confirm that the album is completely finished. The album was officially released on 5 March 2012. On 20 December 2011, "Welcome to the Wa Part II" was released, and at the end of the freestyle,
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
announced that the next single from ''L'Apogée'' would be called "Disque d'or", on the group's official Facebook, Friday, 30 December. On Thursday 5 January, live on Skyrock, Sexion d'Assaut exclusively delivers the third extract from ''L'Apogée''. During
Planète Rap
Planète Rap is a French radio programme broadcast on Skyrock, hosted by Fred Musa.
Background
Planète Rap presents Rap and R'n'B artists, with live performances, freestyles, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, as well as mixes performed a ...
, the group shares their new single Before she leaves, saying that it is a music different from the others because it is sentimental. This song is probably a tribute to JR O Crom's mother who, according to the lyrics, left too soon.
''L'Apogée'' was published on 5 March 2012. On the very day of the release, 10,000 copies sold. The album is certified gold the first week after having sold 66,000 copies. Two weeks after the release, the album is certified platinum disc. About two months after its release the album was declared a double platinum disc. On 22 May 2012, they filled the Salle de Bercy for the first time. The CD / DVD of this concert is due out on 19 November 2012. The second Bercy de Sexion d'Assaut took place on 15 October 2012. At the end of the concert,
Maska announces that the reissue of ''L'Apogée'' will be available in stores at from January 2013. On 22 October 2012, the album ''L'Apogée'' was certified diamond disc with more than 539,000 copies sold. The album was reissued on 19 November at the same time as the DVD of the Bercy concert.
Consecration (2013–2019)
After the immense success of ''
L'Apogée'', Sexion d'Assaut won two
NRJ Music Awards
An NRJ Music Award (commonly abbreviated as an NMA) is an award presented by the French radio station NRJ to honor the best in the French and worldwide music industry. The awards ceremony, created in 2000 by NRJ in partnership with the televisio ...
on 26 January 2013 in the categories of “Francophone group / duo of the year” and “Francophone song of the year” for "Avant qu'elle parte". Two days later, the video ''Welcome to the WA Part was released. 4'' with a documentary retracing the NRJ Music Awards of Sexion d'Assaut. In early 2013, rumors circulated about a possible separation of Sexion d'Assaut. To these rumors,
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
replies: "But who told you 'the Sexion is separating'?
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
will be released on 20 May ''
Subliminal
Subliminal may refer to:
* Subliminal stimuli, sensory stimuli below an individual's threshold for conscious perception
* Subliminal channel, in cryptography, a covert channel that can be used over an insecure channel
* Subliminal (rapper) (born ...
'', me end of the year!
Lefa musical break (personal life) JR O Crome and Doomams are preparing surprises for you,
Maska too, still under the label
Wati B
Wati B () is an independent French record label established in 2000 by Dawala and rap band Intouchable. "Wati B" comes from , a Bamanankan expression that means "all the time". Dawala directs the operations of the label.
Due to the popularity of ...
, according to rumors!" On 31 January 2013, the specialized website ''Booska-P'' produced a documentary entitled ''Wati Ceremony'', on Sexion d'Assaut's triumph at the NRJ Music Awards.
In the video, Gims announces in C'Cauet that his solo album ''
Subliminal
Subliminal may refer to:
* Subliminal stimuli, sensory stimuli below an individual's threshold for conscious perception
* Subliminal channel, in cryptography, a covert channel that can be used over an insecure channel
* Subliminal (rapper) (born ...
'' will be released on 20 May 2013 and that this album will be followed by
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
's solo album scheduled for late 2013, that of
Maska scheduled for 2014, a project between Doomams and JR O Crom planned for the course of 2014. In March 2013, JR O Chrome and Doomams participate in the soundtrack of the film ''La Cité rose'', with the title If I had known, in collaboration with Jmi Sissoko and Exta; also released a book which traces the life of
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
and a comic strip.
On 28 September 2013, the group met at the Stade de France for the Urban Peace 3 concert which also brought together
IAM
IAM may refer to:
Concepts
* Identity and access management, a concept that combines business processes, policies and technologies
* Indo-Aryan migration, the theory that speakers of Indo-Aryan languages migrated into the Indian subcontinent dur ...
,
Orelsan,
Youssoupha
Youssoupha Mabiki (born August 29, 1979), better known by his nickname Youssoupha () is a French rapper of Congolese descent.
Early life and career
He was born to a Congolese father, the musician and Congo-Kinshasa political figure Tabu Ley Ro ...
,
La Fouine
Laouni Mouhid ( ar, العوني محيد , ; born 25 December 1981), commonly known by his stage name La Fouine (, ; ), with additional aliases such as Fouiny Babe or just Fouiny (), is a French rapper and singer of Moroccan descent. He is own ...
,
Psy 4 de la Rime and
Stromae
Paul van Haver (; born 12 March 1985), better known by his stage name Stromae (), is a Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter and producer. He is mostly known for his music blending hip hop and electronic music. Stromae came to wide public attenti ...
. Gims also performed solo on this occasion. In December 2013, Gims was once again nominated for the
NRJ Music Awards
An NRJ Music Award (commonly abbreviated as an NMA) is an award presented by the French radio station NRJ to honor the best in the French and worldwide music industry. The awards ceremony, created in 2000 by NRJ in partnership with the televisio ...
, but this time solo, in the “best male artist” category. However, it is
Stromae
Paul van Haver (; born 12 March 1985), better known by his stage name Stromae (), is a Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter and producer. He is mostly known for his music blending hip hop and electronic music. Stromae came to wide public attenti ...
who wins this trophy.
Canceled album ''Le Retour des Rois'' (2020–2022)
After one or more solo albums, the group would like to come back with a new album, entitled ''
Le Retour des Rois
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which is ...
''. However, due to different agendas for each member of the group, the production of the album is constantly postponed. The members of the group did not go their separate ways. When a member of the group leaves a solo project, all the members of Sexion d'Assaut help him in his project. In addition, in various interviews the members say they are ready and motivated for the project. While
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
wishes to conquer the American market with his third album ''
Ceinture noire
''Ceinture noire'' (Black Belt) is the third studio album by Congolese-French singer and rapper Gims, released on 23 March 2018 on the TF1 Group and Play Two labels.
The album has been reissued several times: the full version was released on 24 ...
'' released on 23 March 2018,
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
is on tour throughout
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
and releases the reissue of his album ''
Éternel insatisfait
''Éternel insatisfait'' (, English: ''Never Satisfied'') is the second studio album by French-Guinean rapper and songwriter Black M. The album was released on October 28, 2016, by Wati B and Sony Music Entertainment. The album features collabor ...
,'' on 17 November 2017,
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
is working on his first Extended play ''Libertad'' on 21 February 2017,
Lefa released his second album ''Visionnaire'' on 22 September 2017,
Maska his new mixtape ''Akhal-Teké'' on 13 October 2017 and LIO Pétrodollars a return to his first Extended play ''Outre monde'' on 19 October 2017. JR O Crom and Doomams are also working on their respective solo projects. It is therefore currently becoming complicated to bring together all the members in the same studio.
The return to the studio of the members of the group was to take place in March 2017 as announced by Dawala, the boss of the
Wati B
Wati B () is an independent French record label established in 2000 by Dawala and rap band Intouchable. "Wati B" comes from , a Bamanankan expression that means "all the time". Dawala directs the operations of the label.
Due to the popularity of ...
label. However, in February 2017, due to a copyright issue,
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
decided to leave the
Wati B
Wati B () is an independent French record label established in 2000 by Dawala and rap band Intouchable. "Wati B" comes from , a Bamanankan expression that means "all the time". Dawala directs the operations of the label.
Due to the popularity of ...
Label, which at the same time clouded the possibility of a return of the group, being himself signed with Wati B its collaborations of the third album of the Sexion d'Assaut. No information on the group filtered until an interview with
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
granted to Mouv '(August 2017), during which he revealed the following information: "We are going to go on tour again, surely the Zéniths of all France as d 'habit ". It is then the turn of
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
, during an interview for the concert of tolerance in
Agadir
Agadir ( ar, أݣادير, ʾagādīr; shi, ⴰⴳⴰⴷⵉⵔ) is a major city in Morocco, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where the Souss River flows into the ocean, and south ...
in October 2017, to reveal more information on the return of the group: “My third album is called ''
Ceinture noire
''Ceinture noire'' (Black Belt) is the third studio album by Congolese-French singer and rapper Gims, released on 23 March 2018 on the TF1 Group and Play Two labels.
The album has been reissued several times: the full version was released on 24 ...
'', it will be released. next year. And the return of Sexion d'Assaut will be just after my next album ”,“ We talk about it a lot between us. After that, we do not communicate on it yet, because there are a lot of schedules which are quite complicated to articulate together. Once we are really ready and we know where we are going, it will be fine. We don't have a date. But if there is a comeback, we won't wait until 2020".
On 30 December 2019, during Planète Rap by 4Keus, a group signed by Wati B, Dawala confirms ''Le Retour des Rois'' for the end of 2020. On 27 March 2020, during a live
Instagram with
Dadju
Dadju Djuna Nsungula (; born 2 May 1991), better known by the mononym Dadju or at times Prince Dadj, is a French singer. He was signed to the label Wati B and in 2017 signed with Polydor Records of Universal Music Group. He was a member of the m ...
,
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
replied that he confirmed a new album ''Le Retour des Rois'' for this year. "Here we are in the negotiations, of who, or, the album will be released, with whom it will be distributed. You know, the technical stuff." On 29 March 2020, the first album of the Sexion d'Assaut: ''
L'École des points vitaux
''L'École des points vitaux'' (The school of vital points) is the second official album by French rap group Sexion d'Assaut composed of Maître Gims, Lefa, Barack Adama, Maska, JR O Crom, Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better k ...
'' celebrates its 10th anniversary. On 31 March 2020, Sexion d'Assaut opens an official
Instagram account with the bio ''Le Retour des Rois.'' On 30 March 2020 in this recording,
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
listens to several songs from the Sexion d'Assaut album ''Le Retour des Rois'' while driving in his car.
On 2 May 2020, during a live
Instagram comeback with
Sniper,
Sefyu
Youssef Soukouna (born 20 April 1981 in Goutte d'Or, Paris), better known by his stage name Sefyu (, his first name in ''verlan''), is a French rapper of Senegalese descent. He comes from Aulnay-sous-Bois, a city in the French department of Seine ...
and
Gradur
Wanani Gradi Mariadi (born November 28, 1990), better known by his stage name Gradur (), is a French rapper of Congolese origin from Roubaix, Hauts-de-France. He first gained recognition from a series of freestyles called Sheguey. He started as p ...
. Gims has formalized his 100% rap album for the start of the 2020 school year at the latest, and ''Le Retour des Rois'' for the end of 2020, or even the beginning of 2021. After the end of the first confinement on 11 May 2020,
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
announces the return of the Sexion d'Assaut with the new album ''Le Retour des Rois'', then scheduled for the fall, in the absence in L.I.O. Petrodollars, the latter having indeed stopped music to devote himself to catering in
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...
. The Sexion d'Assaut will make its comeback in concert at Paris La Défense Arena on 25 September 2021, a date officially set for January but postponed due to the raging
health crisis A health crisis or public health crisis is a difficult situation or complex health system that affects humans in one or more geographic areas (mainly occurred in natural hazards), from a particular locality to encompass the entire planet. Health cri ...
. On
Instagram,
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
records the first single from the album.
On 6 December 2021, more than a year after the announcement of the tour, the band revealed that their album ''
Le Retour des Rois
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which is ...
'' will be released on 14 May 2022, exclusively in physical form, on sale in the concert halls of the tour. On 23 December 2021,
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
teases an appearance by
SCH in the album. On 7 October 2022, Gims announces that ''Le Retour des Rois'' will not take place due to the disagreement of the Parisian group.
Members
Present members
![SEXION D'ASSAUT-28](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/SEXION_D%27ASSAUT-28.jpg)
*
Gims
Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...
, real name Gandhi Bilel Djuna, originally from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DRC, the DROC, or the Congo, and formerly and also colloquially Zaire, is a country in ...
and grew up in the Arts-et-Métiers neighborhood in the
3rd arrondissement. He moved later on to the
9th arrondissement. He usually hides his eyes with sunglasses.
*
Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better known by his stage name Black M (originally Black Mesrimes), is a French rapper, singer, songwriter and member of the Sexion d'Assaut group.
In 2014, he released his first solo album, entitled '' Les ...
, real name Alpha Diallo, of Guinean descent. He grew up on the
Rue du Bac
Rue du Bac is a street in Paris situated in the 7th arrondissement. The street, which is 1150 m long, begins at the junction of the quais Voltaire and Anatole-France and ends at the rue de Sèvres.
Rue du Bac is also the name of a station on ...
(
7th arrondissement) and later in the
13th arrondissement.
*
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
, real name Adams Diallo (no relation to Black M), originally from
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
descent. He grew up in the Rochechouart neighborhood, in the 9th arrondissement.
*
Lefa, real name Karim Fall, of
Senegalese
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
descent. He grew up in the Abbesses neighborhood in the
18th arrondissement of Paris.
*
Maska, real name Bastien Vincent, from the 9th arrondissement. He is noted as the only white member of the group.
* JR O Crom, real name Karim Ballo, of
Malian origin. He grew up in Arts-et-Métiers, in the 3rd arrondissement.
* Doomams, real name Mamadou Baldé, of
Guinean
Guinea ( ),, fuf, 𞤘𞤭𞤲𞤫, italic=no, Gine, wo, Gine, nqo, ߖߌ߬ߣߍ߫, bm, Gine officially the Republic of Guinea (french: République de Guinée), is a coastal country in West Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the we ...
origin. He grew up in Val-de-Marne and later in the 18th arrondissement. He is frequently seen wearing Ray-Bann sunglasses.
Controversies
Homophobia
In June 2010, during an official interview in the magazine International Hip-Hop,
Lefa (a member of the group) said: “For a while, we attacked homosexuals a lot because we are one hundred percent homophobic and that 'we assume it ”as well as“ for us, the fact of being homosexual is a deviance which is not tolerable ”and that“ homosexuality is far from our practices. We don't understand it. We come from an environment where there is none ”. Two of the group's songs contain the following lyrics: "I think it is high time that queers perish, cut off their penises, leave the dead, found on the ring road (in the song "On t'a humilié" Gone are the days when homosexuals made up themselves in scred All these practices are not healthy (in the song "Cessez le feu")."
Following these statements,
Fun Radio and
NRJ banned Sexion d'Assaut from aerial and calls for concert cancellations were made. The group then released a statement saying that "Sexion d'Assaut would like to apologize to those who have been hurt or shocked." The
SOS Homophobie
SOS Homophobie is an LGBT support organization based in France that deals with homophobia. The organization currently consists of a 900 volunteer members as well as 17 regional offices, all of which are based in France. The group is frequently me ...
association demands that Sexion d'Assaut cannot participate in the
MTV Europe Music Awards
The MTV Europe Music Awards (originally named MTV European Music Awards, commonly abbreviated as MTV EMA) are awards presented by Paramount International Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture. It was originally conceived as an a ...
on 7 November 2010 in
Madrid
Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the Largest cities of the Europ ...
, claiming that: "Sexion d'Assaut is not worthy of representing
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
". On 12 October 2011, an agreement was signed with the
LGBT community centre
An LGBT community centre (American spelling: LGBT community center), or pride center (from gay pride), is a building which hosts services for non-heterosexual youth, seniors, adult men and women, and trans individuals, as well as an organization w ...
, acknowledging the fulfillment of the group's commitments, and which considers the controversy to be over. Questioned by the group, the journalist who reported the comments in Hip Hop magazine saw her professional reputation destroyed and lost her business. She filed a complaint at the end of 2010 for defamation and public insult.
Barack Adama
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which i ...
, whose real name is Adama Diallo, was sentenced on 14 March 2013 to pay damages to journalist Nathalie Sorlin by the 17th chamber of the Paris tribunal de grande instance.
Group name
When choosing the name, the protagonists seemed to be totally unaware of the historical existence of the Assault Section (SA;
Sturmabteilung in German),
Ozap.com: Sexion d'Assaut - Après les propos homophobes, un des leaders jugé pour violences conjugales
(in French) a paramilitary branch of the Nazi Party, so the name of the group does not refer to it, the members specifying moreover that "the assault sections exist in all the armies".
Discography
;Studio albums
* ''L'École des points vitaux
''L'École des points vitaux'' (The school of vital points) is the second official album by French rap group Sexion d'Assaut composed of Maître Gims, Lefa, Barack Adama, Maska, JR O Crom, Black M
Alpha Diallo (born 27 December 1984), better k ...
'' (2010)
* '' L'Apogée'' (2012)
*''Le Retour des Rois
Sexion d'Assaut (), formerly known as 3ème Prototype (for "Troisième Prototype" ; en, "3rd Prototype"), is a French hip hop band formed in 2002, composed of eight Parisian rappers. They are signed to independent record label Wati B, which is ...
'' (2022)
;Compilation albums
* ''La Terre du Milieu'' (2006)
* ''Les Chroniques du 75'' (2009)
* '' En attendant L'Apogée: les Chroniques du 75'' (2011)
;Mixtapes
* ''Le Renouveau'' (2008)
* ''L'Écrasement de tête
L'Écrasement de tête (Head Crush) is the first street album by the Sexion d'Assaut collective (not taking into account the discography of the 3rd Prototype, the internal group of the Sexion d'Assaut). La Sexion d'Assaut was made up of the 3rd ...
'' (2009)
;EPs
* ''Le Pacte'' (2005)
* ''Pour ceux qui dorment les yeux ouverts
''Pour ceux qui dorment les yeux ouverts'' (''For those who sleep with their eyes open'') is an extended play by Congolese-French rapper Gims, which was released on 7 December 2006.
It was also Gims's first solo project produced by Wati B. He a ...
'' (2006)
;Live albums
* '' L'Apogée à Bercy'' (2012)
Awards
References
External links
Official website
{{Authority control
French hip hop groups
Musical groups established in 2002
2002 establishments in France
Musical groups from Paris