La Rumeur () is a French-language

rap Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

group from

Élancourt Élancourt () is a commune in the Yvelines department, and the Île-de-France region, north central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris, 30.6 km (19.0 mi) from the center of Paris, in the " new town" of Saint-Quentin- ...

(

Yvelines Yvelines () is a department in the western part of the Île-de-France region in Northern France. In 2019, it had a population of 1,448,207.France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

). Founded in 1995, the group is composed of four rappers, Ekoué, Hamé, Mourad, and Philippe, and two DJs, Kool M and Soul G. Considering themselves an "underground" or subversive group, La Rumeur has refused to adapt their lyrics for radio. They carefully select the media outlets with which they communicate, shunning the popular press, television, and radio. Concerts and word of mouth are their main means of promotion. La Rumeur and the group Anfalsh are very close, having written and performed several songs together. They have also worked with politically involved hip hop crews such as

Assassin Assassination is the murder of a prominent or VIP, important person, such as a head of state, head of government, politician, world leader, member of a royal family or CEO. The murder of a celebrity, activist, or artist, though they may not ha ...

, Kalash, Less' du Neuf, and hardcore rappers Sheryo and Casey.

Political involvement

La Rumeur has involved itself in political activism in the suburbs of France, calling for attention to be paid to the often-ignored

Paris massacre of 1961 The Paris massacre of 1961 occurred on 17 October 1961, during the Algerian War (1954–62). Under orders from the head of the Parisian police, Maurice Papon, the French National Police attacked a demonstration by 30,000 pro- National Liberation ...

, as well as to

police abuse Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of a thing, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices, crimes, or other t ...

, including "accidental" killings of young French people. The band is critical of reformist

NGO A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

s such as

SOS Racisme SOS Rascime () is a movement of NGOs which describe themselves as anti-racist. The oldest chapter of SOS Racisme was founded in 1984 in France, and it has counterparts in several other European countries or regions. Its Norwegian branch, which ...

, and initially expressed political views through the magazines that came with their records, which are now in the form of webzines. Hamé wrote: "... through organizations such as SOS Racisme, created by the PS to contribute to the destruction of the Marche des beurs radicalism ; 'Equal rights' has become 'Equal chances to be admitted into nightclubs'. Justice for those assassinated by the police is overshadowed by massive slogans such as "Hands off my pal !" and "Long live

miscegenation Miscegenation ( ) is the interbreeding of people who are considered to be members of different races. The word, now usually considered pejorative, is derived from a combination of the Latin terms ''miscere'' ("to mix") and ''genus'' ("race") ...

!", etc.... La Rumeur is closer to NGOs such as the MIB (Mouvement Immigration Banlieue). In May 2008, La Rumeur performed in Minneapolis as guests of Ursus Minor at the Triple Rock Social Club during the

Minnesota Sur Seine Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to i ...

festival. In 2002, the group was sued by

Nicolas Sarkozy Nicolas Paul Stéphane Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa (; ; born 28 January 1955) is a French politician who served as President of France from 2007 to 2012. Born in Paris, he is of Hungarian, Greek Jewish, and French origin. Mayor of Neuilly-sur-Se ...

, who was then the French Minister of the Interior and subsequently became the

President of France The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic (french: Président de la République française), is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency i ...

(2007-2012). He accused La Rumeur member

Hamé Mohamed Bourokba, aka Hamé (born 1975, Perpignan, France) is a French filmmaker and rapper. He has been involved in a series of legal proceedings since 2002, which have been covered by the international press. Early life Bourokba was the fifth ...

of defaming the French police, referring to an article written by Hamé about instances of discrimination and police brutality against minorities. Despite two court orders in their favor, the band was targeted relentlessly for years, with the first court decisions being appealed by the

French Ministry of the Interior Minister of the Interior (french: Ministre de l'Intérieur; ) is a prominent position in the Government of France. The position is equivalent to the interior minister in other countries, like the Home Secretary in the United Kingdom, the Minis ...

after former Interior Minister Sarkozy had become president. After a succession of 5 trials and a total of 8 years of legal processes (in which they were represented by

Dominique Tricaud Dominique Tricaud (born, 1955 in Paris, France) is a lawyer whose fame in the United States derives from his being the defense attorney in Paris, France, of Ira Einhorn, the famous environmentalist, convicted ''in absentia'' of murder. Tricaud cla ...

), they eventually won the legal battle in 2010 and were acquitted of the libel charge brought by then-President Sarkozy.

Members

* Ekoué (formerly Le Poison d'Avril) *

(formerly Le Franc-Tireur) * Mourad (formerly Le Paria) * Philippe (formerly Le Bavar) * Kool M (DJ) * Soul G (DJ)

Discography

Albums

* 2002: ''L'Ombre sur la Mesure'' * 2004: ''Regain de Tension'' * 2007: ''Du Cœur à l'Outrage'' * 2007: ''1997-2007 Les Inédits'' * 2012: ''Tout brûle déjà'' * 2013: ''Les inédits 2'' * 2017: ''Les inédits, vol. 3''

Maxis

* 1997: ''Volet 1 : Le Poison d'Avril'' * 1998: ''Volet 2 : Le Franc-Tireur'' * 1999: ''L'Entre Volets'' * 1999: ''Volet 3 : Le Bavar & Le Paria'' * 2002: ''Je Connais tes Cauchemars / Le Prédateur Isolé'' * 2003: ''Nous Sommes les Premiers...'' * 2004: ''Pourquoi On Resterait Calme ? (P.O.R.C.)''

References

External links (in French)

Lyrics

{{Authority control Rumeur, La Musical groups from Île-de-France