Fan of football in general, and of the Stade Malherbe de Caen in particular, Orelsan started the evening of the Victoires de la musique 2022 with a nice double. After his harvest of 2018, the rapper even finally signed a new hat-trick this Friday, February 11, pocketing the trophies in the categories “audiovisual creation” (for the documentary “Never show that to anyone”), “original song” and “artist masculine”. The match is folded.
Contrary to what the title of his previous album suggested, the party is not over for Orelsan. On stage, the rapper did not let his joy explode, rather embarrassed in front of so many honors, promising to “prepare jokes” the next time he has to make a speech of thanks. Even if he fails to be a full house – the best album was finally awarded to Clara Luciani – the evening marks the conclusion of an extraordinary autumn-winter collection for the 39-year-old artist.
First the documentary
First stage of the Orelsan rocket: the mid-October release on Amazon Prime Video of the documentary directed by his little brother Clément who, since adolescence, has followed his brother in his successes and especially his galleys camera in hand and admiration in his eyes .
Six episodes of tasty, even mind-blowing archives which outline the dented destiny of a little night watchman who has become a great craftsman of French music. Or how a young guy from the provinces, talented but not too comfortable in his own skin, will transform himself, surrounded by a solid group of friends, into a “rap-star” filling Bercys like a joke.
Second step: the surprise release on November 17 of the first single from his fourth album, “Civilization”. The title is called “The Smell of Gasoline”, a hypnotic odyssey of more than 7 minutes in the twists and turns of the time. Strike! The song puts almost everyone in agreement, the number of plays explodes, the expectation around the album intensifies even more. The smell of success…
The Phenomenon “Civilization”
It arrives November 19. Release of “Civilization”. Rush of fans. Immediate phenomenon: 140,000 sales are recorded in one week in France. Almost three times more than global pop star Adele, whose latest opus was released the same day. With more than 300,000 copies, he will win hands down the competition for the best sellers of 2021. There is him and the others. “Alone with people around”, to use the title of one of his new songs.
A growing audience—conquered teenagers, seduced parents—songs that combine the vital energy of rap and the popular effectiveness of variety. The art of synthesis according to Orelsan makes sparks. Texts punches, sensibility on edge, musical production with the small onions signed Skread the man of the shade and friend of always. The cocktail is more than a winner and announces an explosive 2022 tour.
“I was afraid of having understood nothing, now I’m afraid that there is nothing to understand”, he sings in “Civilization”. Nothing to understand, except that the new owner, it’s him. With now nine Victories to his credit, he is only one trophy away from a certain Johnny Hallyday.