Le Flow: The Definitive French Hip-Hop Collection

Various Artists

Le Flow: The Definitive French Hip-Hop Collection (Trace)

Although the rest of the country may be basking in the glow of their footie victoire, the French hip-hop scene would never let something as unimportant as the World Cup get in the way of a good rant. Originally elevated to an international audience through the success of MC Solaar, hip-hop en France is as political and socially aware as its American counterpart, and although it didn’t work with rock music, the language suits the medium perfectly. This means that the music invariably sounds softer and more accessible than English language, and ensures contributions from Kheops, Hamed Daye, Rockin’ Squat and IAM are instantly pleasing, and even when Akhenation and La Fonky Family rap about the horribly topical ‘Bad Boys De Marseille’, it sounds engaging. (RB)