PRIMER
Merrill Garbus on MC Solaar. MC Solaar was one of the most famous rappers to come out of Paris in the ’90s. He was born in Senegal, and his lyrics often reflect the perspective of French-African immigrants in Paris. They also use the French language so fluidly, humorously and creatively that he puts to shame any doubt that French is as valid a language in hip-hop as English. I was working at Mocha Joe’s coffee shop in Brattleboro, Vermont, when I first heard MC Solaar. My only access to hip-hop were the mixes a friend sent me from Brooklyn and my co-worker Jake, who was a reggae and Fela Kuti devotee and skilled at scouring the world for deep grooves. He put on MC Solaar at the shop one day, and it instantly became my soundtrack for the winters ahead—as well as the primary reason I continued my painfully slow study of French.
Start here:
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo (Musicrama, 1991)
This is Solaar’s first fulllength album. I picked up my barely used French dictionary
to try to translate the title of this album and came up with “He who sows the wind reaps the beat.” Jeez. I fell in love instantly—with the French I’d been struggling to learn and with the dude who made French poetry relevant to my life. This record includes the classic line, “Il dit, ‘MC Solaar, tu manges du chat.’ ” (“He said, ‘MC Solaar, you’re eating cat.’ ”) If you don’t think about the ’90s while you listen, it’s remarkably timeless. Don’t think ’90s! — Listen: “Bouge de là” —
Then try:
Cinquième As (Elektra, 2001)
I never spent a lot of time listening to this album all the way through, but it contains what is perhaps Solaar’s most recognizable single, “La Belle et le Bad Boy.” There are plenty of sick tracks, though. Political and biting and groooovy. — listen: “Lève-Toi et Rap” —
For true fans: Paradisiaque (Polygram International, 1997) This album would creep me out on a cold, dark night. Solaar connects mobster culture with modernday politics and takes you on a trip with him down the sewers of Paris (metaphorically speaking). It’s one of the last albums I can remember drowning in; I fully allowed its mood to permeate every moment of my day. I miss that feeling, however dark it was. — Listen: “Gangster Moderne” — tUnE-yArDs’ latest album, w h o k i l l, hits shops on April 19 through 4AD.