Orelsan

Orelsan, born Aurélien Cotentin on 1 August 1982 in Alençon, Normandy, France, is a multifaceted French artist renowned as a rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor, and director. He first entered the music scene in 2002, releasing a mixtape that caught the attention of underground hip‑hop circles, and he quickly became known for his sharp lyrical wit and candid storytelling. After forming the duo Casseurs Flowters with fellow rapper Gringe in 2004, Orelsan also pursued a solo career, leading to the release of his debut studio album Perdu d'avance in February 2009, which sparked both critical acclaim and controversy for its provocative themes. His subsequent album Le chant des sirènes (2011) solidified his reputation, earning gold and platinum certifications and winning two Victoires de la Musique awards for Urban Album of the Year and Popular Revelation. In 2013, the Casseurs Flowters project produced the album Orelsan et Gringe sont les Casseurs Flowters, followed by the soundtrack for the film Comment c’est loin in 2015, showcasing his versatility as both musician and filmmaker. The 2017 solo release La fête est finie achieved extraordinary commercial success, attaining double‑diamond status with over one million copies sold in France, and it garnered multiple awards including Male Artist of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique. His fourth studio album Civilisation (2021) broke records as the best‑selling French album of 2021 and 2022, earning a diamond certification within five months and reinforcing his influence on contemporary French rap. Throughout his career, Orelsan has been recognized with twelve Victoires de la Musique trophies, surpassing legendary artists like Johnny Hallyday, and he was appointed Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2022 for his contributions to the arts. Despite occasional controversy over lyrical content, he has consistently defended artistic freedom and has become a defining voice of his generation, blending humor, irony, and social commentary in a style often compared to that of Eminem while retaining a distinctly French perspective.