Embark with Youssoupha...

Released in 2007, A chaque Frère, was the album that enabled Youssoupha to meet a wide public (though previous releases such as a street CD, Eternel Recommencement, in 2005, were remarked for their quality). Kinshasa born rap artist Youssoupha could now fully embrace his human & musical journey, inviting us on his trip…

Sur les chemins du retour doesn’t imply that Youssoupha is settling down: the voyage is more than ever progressing for the artist who sincerely intends never to achieve it! Indeed Youssoupha’s expedition was filled with experience gained, beautiful encounters and, last but not least, musical richness…

Expert and passionate about French rime, Youssoupha qualifies easily for the title of “globe-rapper”.

For this opus, Youssoupha “nourished” himself with concerts in Africa, a North-South trip in a jeep that led him to Dakar, travels to NYC, Palestine…

Thanks to these and to the consequential questioning, Youssoupha cherished more than ever the values that represent rap culture for him. Beats are rich, solid and structured; rhymes are smooth and tainted with a rare humanity in the French rap.

Strong opponent to demagogic texts glorifying the ghetto, Youssoupha does not, on the contrary, fall into a dark rap emphasizes the style rather than the theme.

Categorizing Youssoupha only as a writer or even poet would undoubtedly be a mistake. Son of Tabu Ley Rochereau, alias “Seigneur Ley”, strong figure of African music, Youssoupha is a MC, a passionate narrator, mixing with knowledge his verses to diverse musical environments.

Youssoupha learned this openness from his childhood background: raised in Africa by his mother until his 10th birthday, then direction France and the Parisian suburb Cergy. A first major expedition filled with disillusions: France was not the promised Eldorado. A natural step in such a situation was to enter the rap scene, meeting emblematic French figures such as Diable Rouge, Philo or Sinistre. Ambitious Youssoupha also took great interest in his studies, enrolling for literature at university.

Sur les chemins du retour is a 2009 release that will surely have an impact on hip hop culture. It is the result of the hard work of a passionate and experienced artist. The product of the convictions and interrogations of a man aware of his doubts but never loosing the faith.

The travelogue leading us from New-York to Africa with a particular Parisian touch… From his journeys, Youssoupha offers us “his” hip hop: precious and original. Join the ride…