He learned to sing in church when he was 4 years old. Now, when you type his name on the Internet, there are only superlatives. At 25, he is the new number 1 in French rap, according to the newspaper The World. “The rising star in the French rap scene”according to the magazine Rolling Stone. Or the Mbappé of rap. He was already recognized when he was not even an adult. His first solo album, “Mellow”, was the most listened to album on Spotify in 2023.
He is also said to be one of the best melodists. He didn’t just listen to rap, but also R’n’B, with his sisters. It’s not just Booba who inspired him, but also Lauryn Hill. He also says he listened to a bit of pop: “I listened to Cœur de Pirate… Tokyo Hotel, when it was on TV. BB Brunes, it was on, I listened.” He also cites Christiano Ronaldo as a reference, an inspiration.
A great worker
He always tells himself that everything could end tomorrow: “So, I continue to work and I realize afterwards everything I have done, everything I have been able to achieve, whether together or alone.”
Everyone says he is a hard worker and that he goes to the studio almost every day. Originally, he was a footballer. He did sports studies and was supposed to be a professional. Except that the contract did not come with a big club. While he saw his friends sign and he did not sign. Tiakola: “I gave myself, but not 100%. I did not really have the notion of work. I was a fan of Cristiano [Ronaldo]but I didn’t do it 100%. And that sadness, I brought it back into the music, in fact.”
Manage my choices I authorize
Tiakola, now a producer
At 25, he is also a producer. The label is called M3LO WORLD and this week he is releasing a mixtape with a bunch of artists. He is also discovering young talents: “I listen to a lot of music. So, I sometimes listen to sounds from people I don’t know. And we send each other messages and we give each other love, we give each other strength, that’s it.”
About the artists he selected, he says: “They all amazed me in their own way. They all have talent. And that’s also why I’m doing this project, to shine that light. Since I’ve done a lot of tours, I’ve been able to see how it works and I’ve been able to see how they validated me in the flow that I was able to bring back. And since there are several of us, it’s as if I wanted to show France that I’m not alone. There are several talents and it can be even broader.”
The mixtape is called BDLM and comes out tomorrow. Everyone is waiting for it, all the youth is waiting for it.
-> To learn more, listen to this interview…
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