The ethnic violence that devastated the central African states of Burundi and Rwanda in the 90s claimed the lives of more than a million people and created many more refugees. One of them was Gaël Faye, a French-Rwandan rapper who expresses his feelings toward his birth country in this beautiful song.

Fabien Marsaud was once an accomplished athlete who after a serious accident had to change his life path. Sometimes we're forced to give up on our dreams, as his song "Plan B" cheekily illustrates.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Tahitian artist DJ Harmelo released "Mets ton masque" ("Put on Your Mask") to encourage people to do exactly as the title says during the COVID pandemic. Check out DJ Harmelo's SoundCloud for more of his catchy tunes!

On his sixth album, Plan B, slam poet Grand Corps Malade tells his story through his songs. This one, "Dimanche Soir" (Sunday Night), is dedicated to his wife of twelve years.

Moroccan rapper Lartiste is enjoying a huge success with his hit song "Chocolat." Recorded as a duo with the singer Awa Imani, the song is being played non-stop in the French-speaking world thanks in part to its catchy refrain, cho cho cho chocolat.

Maître Gims teams up with Niska for "Sapés comme jamais." Dressed as a sapeur, a sort of Congolese fashionista, Maître Gims embraces his Congolese identity with panache and impeccable style.

Belgian singer Stromae sings "Je cours" (I Run) from his first studio album, Cheese. The song's cryptic lyrics seem to be a reflection on his music career.

In "Pocahontas," slam poet Grand Corps Malade offers some insights on raising kids and watching them grow up. He even recreates some old family photos!

Rapper Black M sings "Sur ma route" ("On My Way" or "On My Road"). As a former member of the band Sexion D'Assaut, Black M sang with Maître Gims, but he has since released singles of his own. Enjoy this on-the-road adventure song!

Slam poet Grand Corps Malade sings "Comme une évidence" ("Like an Obvious Fact" or "Like it's Meant to Be"), in which he tries to write a love song for his beloved who wreaks sweet havoc on his life. He is anxious to find the right words for her. As in his previous song, "Les Voyages en Train" ("Train Rides"), which he alludes to, he includes multiple double entendres and clever turns of phrase that you will enjoy.

In "Éducation Nationale," the slam poet Grand Corps Malade gives us his opinion on the shortcomings of the French national education system through the eyes of Moussa, a fifth grader in Épinay. It's a touching song and a call for change in the name of equal opportunity.

Enjoy Oldelaf's quirky humor, as displayed in his introduction to his two backup musicians who come from wildly different backgrounds, to say the least. Then listen to his satirical song "Vendredi" (Friday), where he describes a typical weekend for the average bored (and boring?) French guy.

In "Inch'Allah" (Arabic for "if God wills" or "God willing"), French slam poet Grand Corps Malade and Algerian singer Reda Taliani team up to promote a message of love and acceptance of people of all cultures and colors. In the video, two people are lucky enough to have the song performed at their wedding!

Parisian duo Julien Boulfray and Brieuc Carnaille sing a colorful song, "Hey, tu ne me manqueras plus" ("Hey, I won't miss you anymore") from their album "Vertiges." Enjoy their quirky retro pop/rock/electro style of music.

Hugo Bonneville talks about the relationship between music and money, the success of his first album, and offers us all the sound advice to take a good long look at ourselves.