Kery James

Kery James (born Alix Mathurin, December 28, 1977) is a French rapper singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer, who was born in West Indies from Haitian parents. His mother raised him in Orly, a suburb of Paris. Nowadays with his three solo albums, he is one of the most respected french rappers. The media labelled him "the rapper repented through Islam". Kery James is aware of it, he really assumes this image. " I prefer to be the one who hold this role rather than somebody else. Numerous young Muslims are tempted to be intolerant or extremist. If I can open their eyes it is a good thing for them."

Biography

Early life

Kery James arrived in continental France at the age of seven. He started at a young age to rap, dance, and write his own texts. The famous MC Solaar noticed him when he was only 10 years old in the suburb of Paris.

Around thirteen years old, he became a member of the Idéal Junior group. They garnered a few singles with explicit titles like "Hardcore", "Pour une poignée de dollars" and a first album titled "Original MC’s sur une mission". In 1992, their single " la vie est dure " is out; this title is the premise of talented artists but Alter, one member, left the group. During this difficult period, the group finds its artistic marks because Kery works its writing while Mehdi progresses to the point to be one of the best musical producers in France. Their work harvests its fruits with the release of the first album of Ideal J in 1996. The group becomes one of the most renowned and respected group among French rappers with well-know singles like "Ghetto français", "Show business" and, "Je veux du cash". Ideal J multiplies their appearances on Maxis as well as featurings to reach a surprising maturity with the single "J'désole mes parents" present on the compilation "Nouvelle donne". The group changed their nickname to Idéal J and the group had moderate success before the death of Las Montana in 1999, a childhood friend of Kery James, which stop the career of Kery James for a moment.

Personal life

Arrived in continental France at seven years old, Kery James spend all his childhood in a city of the Parisian suburb. " A place where the Islamic faith was omnipresent. All my friends were Muslim, and that had something attractive ". He practised an arranged(settled) Islam, respected the symbols of the religion but not its principles of generosity, altruism and knowledge.

Altercations with the police, the rivalries of the street... The fear of death was reflected then in each of his texts. In 1999, Las Montana, one of his most close friends is shot down and killed. Kery James decided to stop rap music suddenly. He took refuge in the religion. He discovered that the faith is inseparable of the reason. And find the reason. Kery became Ali by being converted to Islam.

Solo career

In October 2001 his solo album "Si c'était à refaire" with, among others, the tracks "28 décembre 1977", "Si c'était à refaire", "Soledad", "Y'a pas d'couleur". Released in 2001, this album is very personal and benefits from numerous collaborations: Nubians, Salif Keita... The rap is influenced by African, Arabic, Cuban musical influences, without forgetting the use of percussions and original instruments for this music style as the xylophone. He sings his African roots but also the problems of society like money, violence, and moral values. This album reflects the surprising maturity of Kery.

In 2004, Kery James continues on its thrown launched with its second album, "Ma vérité", 14 tracks where he still underlines his social and political militant side. He takes position on the war in Iraq and on the reality tv, among others. Paradoxically, he makes duets with very popular stars such as Diam's (Mélanie Giorgadès) or Amel Bent, temporarily leaving his underground image.

His new album "À l'ombre du show business," in collaboration on the title track with legendary French chanson star Charles Aznavour, went out on March 31, 2008 and was propelled from his first week on the third place of the French charts with 24,459 albums sold, due to tracks like "Le combat continue part III", "Banlieusards" and "Vrai Peura".

Discography

Solo albums

• 2002 : Si c'était à refaire
• 2004 : Savoir et vivre ensemble
• 2005 : Ma vérité
• 2008 : À l'ombre du show business
• 2009 : Réel

with Ideal J

• 1992 : La vie est brutale (Maxi-single, as Ideal Junior)
• 1996 : O'riginal MC's sur une mission
• 1998 : Le Combat Continue

with Mafia K'1 fry

• 1997 : Les liens sacrés
• 1999 : Légendaire
• 2003 : La cerise sur le ghetto
• 2007 : Jusqu'à la mort (+ reissue)

Collaborations

• 1991

MC Solaar feat. Raggasonic & Kery James - "Raggajam" on MC Solaar's album, Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo

• 1995

Ideal J - Mauvais garçon on the soundtrack of Raï (1995)

Ideal J - Ce soir, on est down on the soundtrack of Raï (1995)

Ideal J - Orly City Bronx on the mixtape Orly City Bronx

• 1996

Ideal J - Attaque/Contre attaque on the mixtape Invasion

• 1997

Kery James feat. 113 & Rohff - "Dans Ta Race" on the compilation Mysta D. presents L'invincible armada

Different Teep feat. Kery James - "Ras" on Different Teep's album, La rime urbaine

Ideal J - "Cash Remix" on the compilation L 432

• 1998

113 Feat Kery James - Association sur le EP du 113, Ni Barreaux, Ni Barrières, Ni Frontières

Manu Key Feat Lil Jahson & Kery James - "Triste point en commun" sur l'album éponyme de Manu Key

Ideal J Feat 113 & Intouchable - "La voie que j'ai donnée à ma vie" sur la compile Nouvelle Donne

• 1999

Alibi Montana Feat Kery James - "Le monde a cracké" sur l'album d'Alibi, T'as ma parole

Prodige Namor Feat Kery James - "L'année de tous les dangers" sur l'album de Prodige Namor, L'heure de vérité

Daomen Feat Kery James - "J'émerge" sur l'album de Daomen, Underground Classic

Kery James Feat Rocca , Shurik'N & Hamed Daye - "Animalement votre" sur la mixtape Première classe vol. 1

113 Feat 113 Clan - Main Dans La Main sur l'album du 113, Les Princes de la ville

• 2000

Kery James - "J'émerge (remix)" sur la compile Nouvelle Donne Collector Vol.1

Kery James - "Les frères ne savent pas" sur la compile Time Bomb Session Vol.1

Kertra Feat Kery James - "Face à face" sur l'album de Kertra, Le labyrinthe

• 2003

Mafia K'1 Fry Feat Kery James - "Nuage de fumée Part II" sur l'album de la Mafia, La Cerise Sur Le Ghetto

• 2004

Rim'K Feat Kery James - "Intact" sur l'album de Rim'K , L'enfant du pays

Kery James Feat Booba - "Chacun Sa Manière" sur la compile Street Lourd Hall Stars

Rohff Feat Kery James - "Mal aimé" sur l'album de Rohff, La Fierté Des Nôtres

Kery James - "Laissez" sur la compile Des 2 cotés

• 2005

Kool Shen Feat Kery James & Sinik - "That's my people" lors du dernier concert de Kool Shen au Zénith de Paris

Tandem Feat Kery James, Faf La Rage, Diam's, Tunisiano & Kazkami - "Le Jugement" sur l'album de Tandem, C'est toujours pour ceux qui savent

Kery James - "Je N'crois Plus En L'illicite" sur la compile Illicite Projet

Mac Tyer Feat Kery James - "Patrimoine Du Ghetto" sur la compile Patrimoine Du Ghetto

Kery James Feat Manu Key & A.P. - "Humanity" sur la compile Zone Caraïbes

Kery James - "Attention" sur la compile Rap Performance

Samat Feat Kery James & Larsen - "Le repentir" sur le Street CD de Samat, Samat Feat Hip Hop de rue

Kery James - "Outro" sur la compile De la poudre au Rap

• 2006

Heckel & Geckel Feat Kery James - "Moins de 20 ans" sur l'album d'Heckel & Geckel, Street Show

OGB Feat Kery James - "Ninety Four Side" sur l'album d'OGB, Enfermé Dehors

Mac Tyer Feat Kery James - "Suicide carcéral" sur l'album de Mac Tyer, Le Général

Rim'K Feat Kery James - "T'as Le Choix" sur la compile Illegal Radio

Apash Feat Kery James - "3 horizons Differents" sur le Street CD d'Apash, Du Bon Son Pour Une Bonne Cause

• 2007

M. Toma Feat Kery James - "Ouvrir ton cœur" sur l'album de M. Toma, Identité

Kery James - "Symphonie d'amour" sur la B.O. du film Taxi 4

Kery James - "1 pour la cause" sur la mixtape Ghetto Truand & Associés

Manu Key Feat Kery James, F.dy Phenomen, Die & Tiwony - "Babylon System" sur l'album de Manu Key, Prolifique Vol.2

Melissa M Feat Kery James - "Lettre à la tristesse" sur l'album de Melissa M, Avec tout mon amour

Kery James Feat K'libre 13 - "Avance" sur la mixtape Opinion sur rue 3

Kery James Feat Heckel & Geckel, Youssoupha, Smoker, Kamel L'ancien, Ben-J, Pit Baccardi, Diam's, Kalash L'afro, Ikbal Vockal, Seth Gueko, Sear Lui Même, Baba, Dosseh, Salif, James Izmad, Despo Rutti, Mister C, Alibi Montana, Mr Toma & Mac Tyer - "On ne sait pas abandonner" en hommage à l'émission Couvre Feu sur Skyrock

Rohff Feat Kery James & Dragon Davy - "9.4 Mental" sur le Street CD de Rohff, Le chauchemar du Rap français

TLF Feat Kery James - "Le box" sur l'album de TLF, Rêves de rue

Kamelancien Feat Kery James - "J'résiste" sur la réédition de l'album de Kamel L'ancien, Le charme en personne

Bakar Feat Kery James - "N'incite pas" sur l'album de Bakar, La rose du béton

Idjal Feat Kery James & Farenheit - "Victimes du passé" sur l'album d'Idjal, Enfant du monde

Légende Urbaine Feat Kery James - "D'humeur guerrière" sur l'album de Légende Urbaine, L'école de ma rue

• 2008

Grand Corps Malade feat Kery James & Oxmo Puccino - "À la recherche" sur l'album de Grand Corps Malade, Enfant de la ville

Zap Mama feat Kery James - "Apres La Pluie," A L’Ombre Du Show Business

External links

• Template:Fr Site officiel, sur Skyrock.com
• Template:Fr « J'aurais pu dire », version audio
• Template:Fr « J'aurai pu dire », version vidéo
• Template:Fr Biographie et airplays de Kery James