NEG'MARRONS

NÈG MARRONS

For over twenty-five years, we have heard the sound of their voices. Jacky and Ben-J, childhood friends originally from Cape Verde for one and Congo for the other, grew up in the Parisian suburbs in Garges-les-Gonesse (95).

In the early 90s, around the age of 13, they tried their hand at music, inspired by their elders Ministère A.M.E.R (Stomy and Passi), Deenastyle on Radio Nova, and Rapline on M6. Their lyrics were politically charged, mirroring the American Hip Hop scene with the group Public Enemy, not to mention that apartheid policy in South Africa left them far from indifferent. "We talked about our lives. We were proud of our Afro identity. We also talked about politics, the repressive system, police brutality." Their stage name reflects this spirit of rebellion.

"The Neg’marron was the rebel slave, a resister, insubordinate in the face of the oppressor, putting his life at risk to regain his freedom, and never losing sight of his goals." – Ben-J from Nèg’ Marrons. Highly influential since the late 90s, authors of numerous classics, and socially committed artists, Nèg’ Marrons embody festive and inspiring music. Revealed by the single "La Monnaie", the theme song of the film Raï in 1995, they subsequently secured a contract with major label Sony Music. Prominent artistic personalities representing the reggae branch of the Secteur Ä collective, they achieved unprecedented success with their debut album "Rue case nègre", certified gold upon its release in 1997.