Every year on August 11th, the entire planet comes together to celebrate the history of hip-hop. It was in 1973 that Clive Campbell—now better known as DJ Kool Hercand widely regarded as the father of hip-hop—organized a “jam” party in the Bronx with the help of his sister, Cindy. Little did they know that, more than 50 years later, millions of fans worldwide would be celebrating a movement they had only just invented. The distinctive rhythms and rhymes of hip-hop, born in the streets of New York, have since resonated far beyond their birthplace. This culture now unites people from diverse backgrounds and has spread across the globe. Almost every country seems to have embraced hip-hop, adding its own unique touch along the way. France is a prime example; the phenomenon arrived there in the early 1980s. While many initially dismissed it as a passing fad, more than forty years later, the genre is not only alive and well but has become an enduring fixture of the French music industry. Better yet, the French rap scene has gained significant international visibility; indeed, 35% of new French releases certified for export in 2025 belong to this genre, led by tracks from artists such as Gims & Dystinct, Theodora, Werenoi, Aya Nakamura, Jul, Gazo, Leto, Franglish, Ninho or Niska.
To mark International Hip-Hop Day, we invite you to listen to the latest releases in the genre via our “Made in France” selection, updated weekly in the “Urban A Go-Go” playlist. We also invite you to (re)discover some of our exclusive playlists curated by artists and activists such as Kiana Fitzgerald, Maître Madj, Grand Corps Malade, Hippocampe Fou, James BKS or Emicida.
