French rapper OrelSan and singer Clara Luciani dominated the Victoires de la Musique on Friday. This 37th edition was marked by a controversy over a ceremony that did not reflect the diversity of the current French scene.
The 39-year-old Norman rapper won the male artist, song (“The smell of gasoline”) and audiovisual creation categories for his documentary “Never show that to anyone”. This is his second hat-trick at the Victoires de la Musique, after that of 2018.
In total, he now has nine victories in his career, tied with monuments like Johnny Hallyday and Alain Souchon. The record of 13 trophies is jointly held by -M- and Alain Bashung.
OrelSan is the late 2021/early 2022 hinge artist, acclaimed by the public and critics, well beyond the rap sphere alone. “Civilization”, released in November, is the best-selling record in France in 2021.
“Among French-speaking musicians, he is one of those who writes the best. He really digs. He goes far”, had greeted Friday morning, on France Inter, Stromae, honorary president of the 37th Victoires de la Musique, organized in Parisian region.
Sacred of Luciani awaited
The coronation of Clara Luciani was also expected. She won the female artist trophy and the album prize. In total, she got four wins in her career.
His album “Coeur” thrilled the elitist scenes as well as the general public. “I’m living a waking dream. I’m so moved that the public took over this record in a moment of darkness… To imagine that I was able to bring a little light, it’s a very beautiful gift”, has she delivered in front of the press.
The Victoires de la Musique would not be the Victoires without controversy. This year, including OrelSan, Clara Luciani, Juliette Armanet and the group Feu! Chatterton, we arrived at fourteen nominations between four artists. The selection has raised criticism over a ceremony accused of not reflecting the diversity of the current scene.
“It’s missing a lot of categories, I think,” commented singer Hoshi. “They try to put as many people as possible in boxes. I don’t like boxes, basically.” There were only two rappers nominated for the Victoires de la Musique on Friday, OrelSan and SCH, who received the prize for the most streamed album.
Honorary President and Star
Playing collectively, the latter took the microphone while receiving his trophy to name all the rappers who deserved to be present in his eyes at the ceremony. “I’m embarrassed to hold this victory in my hands,” he said, before mentioning, behind his dark glasses and ponytail, the names of Jul, Ninho, Laylow, Naps, Gazo, Oboy, Soso Maness and Djiro.
The other attraction of the evening was the honorary president. Stromae interpreted his title “Santé” with an avatar, opening the ceremony. This double of the Belgian, like an animated film on the giant screens behind him, thus showed the public the gestures to be made on the choreography of the piece.
Stromae’s performance gives a foretaste of the launch of his tour, which should revolve around paintings and make use of new technologies.
“Multitude”, his new album, one of the most anticipated of the year, will be released on March 4. But since the Belgian doesn’t do anything like everyone else, he will deliver his new songs in preview during his first three shows in Brussels on February 22, Paris on February 24 and Amsterdam on February 27.
A victory of honor was awarded to Jacques Dutronc, 78, presented by his son Thomas, for his entire career. They both sang “Et moi, et moi, et moi”, a father’s standard, before a major new tour together.
ats, afp