21 Best French Rappers

12. Jul

If you're looking for the rapper who sold the most records, no one can beat Jul. This French rapper sold over four million albums in his short career.

Jul released his first album, Dans ma paranoia, in 2014. It was a major success and reached number seven on the French album charts. Since his first release, Jul continues to release a staggering two to three albums yearly.

Most of his album releases peak at number one, and Jul finally received his first number-one single in 2018 with “Toto et Ninetta.”

13. Damso

Born in Zaire, Damso and his family fled their home country during The Second Congo War. Damso found his love of music while studying at secondary school. He began spending time in recording studios and learning to rap. During this time, he encountered racism and poverty that caused hardships in his life.

In 2006, Damso joined the rap collective OPG. The group released several mixtapes and tracks to critical success throughout the 2000s. Damso didn't find commercial success until his first solo release.

In 2016, Batterie faible went double platinum and reached number eight on the French charts. Since then, all of Damso's albums have been certified platinum and above. His albums are also successful in Belgium, where three of his albums reached number one on the Belgium album charts.

14. Niska

Niska is a French rapper from Evry, Essonne. He began his rapping career alongside the group Negro Deep. While the group had some success, Niska would go on to a popular solo career.

He released his first album, Charo Life, in 2015. The album was a major hit and peaked at number three on the French charts. Since his first success, Niska has released four successful albums. Commando and Mr Sal both peaked at number one in France.

Niska is also popular in Belgium and reached number one in 2019 with the release of Mr Sal.

15. Sofiane

Sofiane is a French rapper from Saint-Denis. He began his career by releasing four independent albums along with a series of music videos. Gaining millions of views on YouTube, the videos helped spark his career. The rapper signed with Capital Records in 2016.

In 2017, Sofiane released his first studio album, Badnit salete. The album reached number one in France and was certified platinum. He's since released two other albums that both reached number one in France.

16. Lacrim'

Lacrim' is a French rapper from Menilimontant, Paris. He began his career collaborating with other local rappers and released a street mixtape, Faites entrer Lacrim, in 2012. The album was critically acclaimed and helped Lacrim' sign to a major label.

His first three studio albums each peaked at number one on the French charts. During this time, Lacrim' continued to release mixtapes as well, and two topped the charts in France.

Lacrim faced legal troubles in the 2000s after being arrested with a Kalashnikov gun. The rapper was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, but he fled to Morocco. In 2015, Lacrim turned himself in and spent one year in prison for the crime.

17. SCH

SCH is a rapper from Marseille. He began his career writing songs and rapping by the age of 13. He released his first music independently and on the Skyblog site as the artist Schneider.

After changing his name to SCH, the rapper released his first mixtape, A7, in 2015. After two successful mixtapes, SCH released his first album to critical and commercial success. Anarchie reached number two on the French charts. His second release, Deo Favente, peaked at number one in France and two in Belgium.

SCH continues to release albums and hit number one again after releasing Autobahn in 2022.

18. La Fouine

La Fouine is a French rapper born and raised in Trappes. He grew up in a poor community and found an escape through hip-hop. La Fouine began to find success in rap at the age of 15.

He started his career as a member of the group GSP. He spent time in the group FORS and won second prize at the 2 R puissance Art in La Verriere.

La Fouine found success after releasing his street tape, Planete Trappes. The tape was a critical success and helped spark his career.

In 2009, La Fouine broke through to the mainstream with the release of Mes Reperes. The album was certified platinum and peaked at number two on the French charts. He has since hit the top of the French charts twice with LaFouine vs Laouni and Droie de parcours.

19. Kery James

Kerry James found success at an early age. Growing up in Orly, MC Solaar noticed Kerry James when he was ten years old. By 13, James joined the rap group Ideal Junior (Ideal J).

With the group, James released an album in 1996 that was critically acclaimed. In 2001, James released his first solo album, Y'a pas d'couleur. The album went gold and peaked at number five on the French Billboard charts.

James hasn't slowed down since. He's released nine studio albums over his career. In 2009, the album Reel reached number one on the French charts and went platinum.

20. Alonzo

Born and raised in Marseille, France, Alonzo is a popular French rapper. He began his career alongside other French rappers in the group Psy 4 de la Rime. The group was incredibly successful and recorded four studio albums that broke through the top ten on the French charts.

While in the group, Alonzo also had a successful solo rap career. He released his first solo album in 2009 and has had a string of chart-topping albums. His biggest album, Reglement de comptes, peaked at number two on the French charts in 2015.

Alonzo finally scored his first number-one single in 2022 with the track “Tout va bien.”

21. Gradur

Gradur is a French rapper from Roubaix, Hauts-de-France. Thanks to success on Youtube and streaming sites, Gradur quickly gained popularity and recognition in the French hip-hop scene.

Gradur began his career with the rap group 59. He since went on to create the ground Sheguey Squad. The group released a Congolese lingo mixtape in 2015 to critical success. This helped him sign to a major label and release his first studio album, L'homme au bob, in 2015.

The album was a success and reached number one on the French charts. The album includes collaborations with major artists, including Migos, Chief Keef, and Alonzo.

Top French Rappers, Final Thoughts

These French rappers offer unique styles, conscious lyrics, and exciting beats. Each has its own style that you'll love. There are so many French rappers we couldn't add them all to this list. Did we miss your favorite French rapper? We'd love to hear more about your favorite French rapper.