La Rumeur
Encyclopedia
La Rumeur is a french-language rap group from Élancourt (Yvelines, France)). Founded in 1997, the group is composed of four rappers, Ekoué, Hamé, Mourad, and Philippe, and two DJs, Kool M and Soul G.
Considering themselves an "underground" or subversive group, La Rumeur has refused to adapt their lyrics for radio. They carefully select the media outlets with which they communicate, shunning the popular press, television, and radio. Concerts and word of mouth are their main means of promotion.
La Rumeur and the group Anfalsh are very close, having written and performed several songs together. They have also worked with politically involved hip hop crews such as Assassin
, Kalash , Less' du Neuf, and hardcore rappers Sheryo
and Casey.
, calling for attention to be paid to the often-ignored Paris massacre of 1961
, as well as to police abuse
, including "accidental" killings of young French people. The band is critical of reformist NGOs such as SOS Racisme
. Hamé wrote: "... through organizations such as SOS Racisme, created by the PS to contribute to the destruction of the Marche des beurs radicalism ; 'Equal rights' has become 'Equal chances to be admitted into nightclubs'. Justice for those assassinated by the police is overshadowed by massive slogans such as "Hands off my pal !" and "Long live miscegenation
!", etc.... La Rumeur is closer to NGOs such as the MIB
(Mouvement Immigration Banlieue).
In May 2008, La Rumeur performed in Minneapolis as guests of Ursus Minor at the Triple Rock Social Club during the Minnesota Sur Seine
festival.
Despite two court orders in their favor
, they are currently targeted in a lawsuit by the French Minister of the Interior
(in which they are represented by Dominique Tricaud
), related to an article written by Hamé.
Considering themselves an "underground" or subversive group, La Rumeur has refused to adapt their lyrics for radio. They carefully select the media outlets with which they communicate, shunning the popular press, television, and radio. Concerts and word of mouth are their main means of promotion.
La Rumeur and the group Anfalsh are very close, having written and performed several songs together. They have also worked with politically involved hip hop crews such as Assassin
Assassin (rap crew)
Assassin is a French hardcore rap group formed in the 18th Arrondissement of Paris. The group was formed in 1985 by Rockin' Squat and Solo. Later, Doctor L joined them, as well as DJ Clyde...
, Kalash , Less' du Neuf, and hardcore rappers Sheryo
Sheryo
Sheryo is a French-language rapper and member of the hip hop collective, DSP, former member of Anfalsh. He’s one of the top hardcore rappers in France, he avoids national radios, tv or specialized press....
and Casey.
Political involvement
La Rumeur has involved itself in political activism in the suburbs of FranceSocial situation in the French suburbs
Outside of Paris are large blocks of government-built public housing, known as banlieues. The banlieues house hundreds of thousands of individuals of North African descent...
, calling for attention to be paid to the often-ignored Paris massacre of 1961
Paris massacre of 1961
The Paris massacre of 1961 was a massacre in Paris on 17 October 1961, during the Algerian War . Under orders from the head of the Parisian police, Maurice Papon, the French police attacked a demonstration of some 30,000 pro-FLN Algerians...
, as well as to police abuse
Human rights in France
The preamble of the Constitution of the French Fifth Republic, founded in 1958, recalls the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. France has also ratified the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights 1960 and the Charter of...
, including "accidental" killings of young French people. The band is critical of reformist NGOs such as SOS Racisme
SOS Racisme
SOS Racisme is a French anti-racist NGO, founded in 1984. Its Spanish counterpart, SOS Racismo, is based in Barcelona.-Activities:SOS Racisme's main goal is to fight racial discrimination. Often the plaintiff in discrimination trials, the organization also offers support to immigrants and racial...
. Hamé wrote: "... through organizations such as SOS Racisme, created by the PS to contribute to the destruction of the Marche des beurs radicalism ; 'Equal rights' has become 'Equal chances to be admitted into nightclubs'. Justice for those assassinated by the police is overshadowed by massive slogans such as "Hands off my pal !" and "Long live miscegenation
Miscegenation
Miscegenation is the mixing of different racial groups through marriage, cohabitation, sexual relations, and procreation....
!", etc.... La Rumeur is closer to NGOs such as the MIB
MIB
MIB may refer to any of several concepts:* Master of International Business, a postgraduate business degree* Melayu Islam Beraja, the adopted national philosophy of Brunei* Motion induced blindness, a visual illusion in peripheral vision...
(Mouvement Immigration Banlieue).
In May 2008, La Rumeur performed in Minneapolis as guests of Ursus Minor at the Triple Rock Social Club during the Minnesota Sur Seine
Minnesota Sur Seine
Minnesota sur Seine is a music festival held every October in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. It was established in 2004 by the French record producer Jean Rochard....
festival.
Despite two court orders in their favor
, they are currently targeted in a lawsuit by the French Minister of the Interior
Minister of the Interior (France)
The Minister of the Interior in France is one of the most important governmental cabinet positions, responsible for the following:* The general interior security of the country, with respect to criminal acts or natural catastrophes...
(in which they are represented by Dominique Tricaud
Dominique Tricaud
Dominique Tricaud is a lawyer whose fame in the United States derives from his being the defense attorney in Paris, France, of Ira Einhorn, the famous environmentalist, convicted in absentia of murder...
), related to an article written by Hamé.
Members
- Ekoué (formerly Le Poison d'Avril)
- HaméHamé - La RumeurMohamed BOUROKBA, aka Hamé, was born in 1975 in Perpignan, south France. He was the fifth in a family of six children, from two different mothers. The family settled in France during the 1950s. His Algerian father, who could neither read nor write, spent his life working like a slave in the fields...
(formerly Le Franc-Tireur) - Mourad (formerly Le Paria)
- Philippe (formerly Le Bavar)
- Kool M (DJ)
- Soul G (DJ)
Albums
- 2002: L'Ombre sur la Mesure
- 2004: Regain de Tension
- 2007: Du Cœur à l'Outrage
- 2007: 1997-2007 Les Inédits
Maxis
- 1997: Volet 1 : Le Poison d'Avril
- 1998: Volet 2 : Le Franc-Tireur
- 1999: L'Entre Volets
- 1999: Volet 3 : Le Bavar & Le Paria
- 2002: Je Connais tes Cauchemars / Le Prédateur Isolé
- 2003: Nous Sommes les Premiers...
- 2004: Pourquoi On Resterait Calme ? (P.O.R.C.)