Soprano (rapper)
Soprano | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Soprano at the Vieilles Charrues Festival in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 14 January 1979 Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France |
| Genres | Hip hop, pop, chanson R&B, pop rap |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Spouse |
Alexia M'Roumbaba (m. 2006) |
| Website | www |
Saïd M'Roumbaba (French pronunciation: [sa.id ɛmʁumbaba]; born 14 January 1979), better known by his stage name Soprano, is a French rapper, singer-songwriter, and television personality. Influential in the French hip hop scene, Soprano rose to notoriety in the late 1990s as a member of the rap band Psy 4 de la Rime. While in the group, Soprano recorded his solo debut album Puisqu'il Faut Vivre which made the Billboard European Top 100. Two years later, his second album, La Colombe, which included collaborations with numerous artists, was released. In addition to his music career, Soprano has served as a coach on The Voice – La plus belle voix (2019) and The Voice Kids (2018–2020, 2025).[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Soprano was born Saïd M'Roumbaba on 14 January 1979 in Marseille. His family was Comorian and practised Muslim faith. His father, Omar, was a handyman on oil tankers and his mother, Zahara, was a housekeeper. He made his debut in French rap in Psy 4 de la Rime, composed of Alonzo and Vincenzo (his cousins) and DJ Sya Styles (his childhood friend).[3]
Career
[edit]2002–2009: De Street Skillz and Puisqu'il faut vivre
[edit]In 2003, while the Psy 4 de la Rime album, Block Party, was successful, Soprano opened Street Skillz Records with his DJ Mej, Matheo, and Cesare, a rapper and composer also from Marseille. Then, they release the compilations Block Life 1, 2, 3 and 4, on which many new rappers participated. The fourth volume of this compilation included the single "Dernière Chance" by Soprano and Léa Castel, which only achieved success in 2008 when Castel's album was released. The mixtape Psychanalyse avant l'albu was released in 2006, preceding the release of Puisqu'il faut vivre, his first solo album released in 2007. After its release, more than 200,000 copies were sold. The singles "Halla Halla", "À la bien" and "Ferme les yeux et imagine-toi" in duet with Blacko come from the album.[4]
In 2008, Live au Dôme de Marseille was released. It was recorded during the tour following the release of his first album. At the "Year of Classical Music in 2008" ceremony, which rewards French hip-hop artists, Soprano was named "best artist of the year". Puisqu'il faut vivre wins the best album award, and "À la bien" won in the best song category.[5]
2010–2013: Further releases
[edit]
On 4 October 2010, Soprano released the album La Colombe through Hostile Records, which ranked first in album sales in France and became a gold record. Three notable singles were featured on the album: "Crazy", "Hiro", and Châteaux de sable.[6]
In 2011, he released the album Le Corbeau, as well as the double album La Colombe et le corbeau which combines his last two albums. C'est ma life, Dopé, Regarde-moi, and Sale Sud Anthem are the singles from the album. Following this, Soprano achieved success with the single "Cherie Coco" with Magic System. He also sings in the song Tranne Te Megamix" with rappers Fabri Fibra, Redman, Marracash, Dargen D'Amico and Entics. He was nominated for the 2012 NRJ Music Awards in the French-speaking group/duo category with the single "C'est ma life" featuring DJ Abdel as well as in 2013 in the same category for the singer "Coup de coeur" featuring Kenza Farah.[7]
2014–2016: Cosmopolitanie
[edit]
Soprano's fourth album, Cosmopolitanie, was released on 13 October 2014. Six singles are featured on the album: "Ils Nous Connaissent Pas", "Cosmo", "Fresh Prince", "Clown", "Millionaire", and "Barman." "Millionaire" and "Barman" are present on the reissue En route vers l'Everest. The album became a gold record one month after its release, then a platinum record a month later, two months after its release.[8] The album is certified diamond record with more than 500,000 sales in December 2016.[9]
2016–2018: L'Everest
[edit]Soprano releases his fifth solo album, L'Everest, on 14 October 2016.[10] The album became a gold record in just under a month. It became a platinum record in early December 2016, under two months after its release.[11] In January 2017, the album was double platinum, then triple platinum in April 2017. The album became a diamond record in October 2017, a year after its release. In June 2018, the album had 800,000 copies sold.[12]
2018–2020: Phœnix, The Voice and The Voice Kids
[edit]On December 13, 2017, Soprano announced his new album, Phœnix, which was released on 9 November 2018. The first single from the album was released on 6 September 2018 and is entitled À la vie à l'amour. On October 26, 2018, he released the second single from his album entitled Zoum in duet with Niska. By December 2019, the album reached 500,000 sales.[13]
From 2018 to 2020, Soprano served as a coach on the children's competition show, The Voice Kids.[14] During his tenure he coached his two finalists, Lili Laville and Philippe Lebouthillier to third and fourth place, respectively. In 2019, he was a coach on The Voice – La plus belle voix where he coached his final artist, Clément Albertini, to second place.
2020–present: Chasseur d'étoiles and Freedom
[edit]
In October 2020, he participated in the Marseille collective project 13 Organisé, bringing together approximately fifty rappers from the city, orchestrated by Jul. The album was certified platinum.[15] In November 2020, he announced his next album, Chasseur d'étoiles as well as a tour of stadiums in France in a YouTube video. On 3 September 2021, the album was released.
On 4 June 2022, he began his tour at the Pontaise Stadium in Lausanne, with the tour ending on 6 May 2023. The latest title extracted from the Stadium Edition is called "Soldat de paix" (Peace Soldier) and discusses the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Ukraine and Russia.[16]
On 3 May 2024, he released the single "Facile à danser".[17] On 23 May 2024, he announced his new album called Freedom.[18]
On 31 March 2025, Soprano was announced to be returning to The Voice Kids as a coach for the eleventh season. The season premiered in August 2025.[19]
Artistry
[edit]Among his influences, Soprano mentions Michael Jackson, Daniel Balavoine, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Eminem and Mobb Deep. In a song, he quotes "the white MC of Detroit, Eminem, the MC of New York, Nas and that of LA, Dr. Dre" as influences. Soprano states that he aims to "break the clichés that people have of rap in general: vulgarity, negativity, violence, and ghettoization."
Personal life
[edit]Soprano has been married to his wife, Alexia, since June 2006. Together, the couple has three children: Inaya, Lenny, and Luna.[20] Soprano has another son, Kamil, that was born when he was only sixteen. In 2007, Soprano revealed that Kamil's mother, had "placed [him in welfare care] and warned [him] afterwards." Under French law, this prohibited Soprano from being recognised as Kamil's father.[21]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Units | Certifications[22] | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [23] |
BEL (Wa) [24] |
SWI [25] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Puisqu'il faut vivre |
|
2 | 14 | 26 |
| ||||||||||||||||
| La Colombe |
|
1 | 5 | 18 |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Le Corbeau |
|
3 | 10 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||
| E=2MC's (with R.E.D.K.) |
|
6 | 5 | 27 |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Cosmopolitanie |
|
2 | 3 | 24 |
|
| |||||||||||||||
| L'Everest |
|
2 | 2 | 14 |
|
| |||||||||||||||
| Phoenix |
|
2 [30] |
4 | 10 |
|
| |||||||||||||||
|
— | — | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chasseur d'étoiles |
|
1 | 2 | 11 |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Freedom |
|
— | 4 | 74 | |||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Live albums
[edit]| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [23] |
BEL (Wa) [24] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Live au Dôme de Marseille |
|
39 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||
| Live 2012 |
|
— | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Un peu plus près du Stade de France |
|
25 [32] |
82 | ||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mixtapes
[edit]| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [23] |
BEL (Wa) [24] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Psychanalyse avant l'album |
|
63 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| De Puisqu'il faut vivre à La Colombe |
|
14 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||||
Other albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| La Colombe et Le Corbeau |
|
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [23] |
BEL (Wa) [24] |
BEL (Fl) [33] |
SWI [25] | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | "Moi j'ai pas" | 28 | — | — | — | Puisqu'il faut vivre | |||||||||||||||
| 2007 | "À la bien!" | 24 | 17* | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| "Ferme les yeux et imagine toi" (featuring Blacko) |
16 | 19* | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Halla Halla" | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | "Victory" | 14 | 24* | — | — | Non-album single | |||||||||||||||
| 2010 | "Crazy" | — | 11* | — | — | La Colombe | |||||||||||||||
| 2011 | "Hiro" | 26 | 27 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| "Regarde-moi" | 16 | 4* | — | — | Le Corbeau | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | "Accroche-toi à mes ailes" | — | 39* | — | — | La Colombe | |||||||||||||||
| "Avant de s'en aller" (with R.E.D.K.) |
111 | 24* | — | — | E=2MC's | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | "Quand la musique est bonne" (with Amel Bent) |
40 | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |||||||||||||||
| "Sans toi" | 131 | 5 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | "Regarde-nous" | 118 | 8* | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| "Ils nous connaissent pas" | 36 | 16* | — | — | Cosmopolitanie | ||||||||||||||||
| "Cosmo" | 5 | 16 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Fresh Prince" (feat. Uncle Phil) |
9 | 7 | 90* | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Clown" | 11 | 8 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | "Fais le moonwalk" (with DJ Abdel and Jul) |
50 | 40* | — | — | Non-album single | |||||||||||||||
| "Millionnaire" | 12 | 16 | — | — | Cosmopolitanie | ||||||||||||||||
| "Barman" | 34 | 6 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | "Le Diable ne s'habille plus en Prada" | 10 | 33 | — | — | L'Everest | |||||||||||||||
| "En feu" | 4 | 29 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Mon Everest" (feat. Marina Kaye) |
11 | 32 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Roule" | 23 | — | — | 99 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | "Chez nous (Plan d'Aou, Air Bel)" (with Patrick Fiori) |
55 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| "À la vie à l'amour" | 61 | 12 | — | — | Phœnix | ||||||||||||||||
| "Zoum" (featuring Niska) |
42 | 41 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | "Le cœur Holiday" (with Mika) |
— | 26 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | "Près des étoiles" | 88 | 13 | — | — | Chasseur d'étoiles | |||||||||||||||
| "Dingue" | 81 [34] |
14 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Si tu tombes" (with Patrick Fiori) |
— | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | "Forrest" | — | 34 | — | — | Chasseur d'étoiles | |||||||||||||||
| "3615 bonheur" | — | 42 | — | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | "Je suis fou" (with Vianney and Kendji Girac) |
61 | 42 | — | — | À 2 à 3 | |||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||||||
*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.
As featured artist
[edit]| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [23] |
BEL (Wa) [24] |
SWI [25] | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | "Dernière chance" (Léa Castel featuring Soprano) |
— | 36 | 66 | Non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||
| "J'étais comme eux" (Demon One featuring Soprano) |
16 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | "Chérie Coco" (Magic System featuring Soprano) |
2 | 11 | 69 | |||||||||||||||||
| "C'est ma life" (DJ Abdel featuring Soprano) |
26 | 11* | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| "J'te parle" (Sniper featuring Soprano) |
55 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | "Coup de cœur" (Kenza Farah featuring Soprano) |
16 | 21* | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | "Quand la musique est bonne" (Amel Bent and Soprano) |
40 | 5* | — | Génération Goldman Vol. 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| "De Marseille à Paris" (Maître Gims featuring Bedjik, Dr. Beriz, H Magnum & Soprano) |
58 | — | — | Subliminal La face cachée | |||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | "Mama" (Zak & Diego featuring Soprano) |
41 | — | — | Non-album single | ||||||||||||||||
| "Mieux que nous" (M. Pokora featuring Soprano) |
47 | 7* | — | R.E.D. | |||||||||||||||||
| "Pas de souci" (Zak & Diego featuring Soprano) |
44 | — | — | Non-album singles | |||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | "No Me Mires Más" (Kendji Girac featuring Soprano) |
7 | 24 | 71 | Non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||
| "Frérot" (Black M featuring Soprano) |
110 | — | — | Éternel insatisfait | |||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | "Ma famille" (Alonzo featuring Soprano) |
92 | — | — | 100% | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | "Les 4 fantastiques" (L'Algérino feat. Soprano, Naps & Alonzo) |
101 | — | — | International | ||||||||||||||||
| "TKT" (Jul feat. Soprano) |
55 | — | — | Inspi d'ailleurs | |||||||||||||||||
| "C'est que du rap" (Bigflo & Oli feat. Black M & Soprano) |
66 | — | — | La vie de rêve | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | "Millions de mélos " (Bramsito feat. Soprano) |
131 | 37* | — | Prémices_ | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | "La vida" (L'Algérino feat. Soprano) |
110 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Bangobang" (Medi Meyz & Lartiste feat. Soprano & Ritchy Boy) |
— | 32* | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | "La vida" (L'Algérino feat. Soprano) |
110 | — | — | Moonlight | ||||||||||||||||
| "Combien" (Many, Jul, Solda, Moubarak, Soprano, Elams, Soso Maness, Veazy, Jhonson) |
6 | — | — | 13 Organisé | |||||||||||||||||
| "Tout à changé" (Le Rat Luciano, Jul, L'Algérino, Sysa, Solda, Menzo, Stone Black, Fahar) |
18 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| "La vie du binks" (Da Uzi, Ninho & SCH feat. Hornet La Frappe, Leto, Sadek & Soprano) |
5 | 6* | — | Non-album single | |||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||||||
*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.
Other charted songs
[edit]| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [23] |
BEL (Wa) [24] | |||
| 2014 | "Préface" | 27 | Cosmopolitanie | |
| "Mélancolie" | 15 | |||
| "Ti amo" | 18 | |||
| "Luna" | 119 | |||
| "Le pain" | 118 | 35* | ||
| 2015 | "Le pain" | 133 | ||
| "J'ai encore rêvé de toi" | 192 | |||
| 2016 | "Marseille c'est..." (featuring Jul) |
40 | L'Everest | |
| "Rihanna" (featuring Alonzo) |
86 | |||
| "Attitude" (featuring Black M) |
169 | |||
| "Parle-moi" | 193 | |||
| "Cœurdonnier" | 90 | |||
| 2017 | "Mon précieux" | 109 | ||
| "Prélude du Phoenix" | 73 | |||
| "Amour siamois" | 75 | |||
| "Demain c'est maintenant" | 76 | |||
| "Marc Landers" | 85 | |||
| 2018 | "La voisine" | 167 | Phoenix | |
| 2019 | "Le coach" (featuring Vincenzo) | 33 [35] |
20 | |
| "À nos héros du quotidien" | 65 [36] |
17 | ||
| "Fragile" | 150 | 40 | ||
| "Musica" (feat. Ninho) |
39 | Du Phoenix aux étoiles... | ||
| 2020 | "Ninja" | 37 | 32 | TBA |
References
[edit]- ^ Charhi, Issam (2017-09-28). "The Voice Kids : Soprano devient coach !". Public (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ leblogtvnews.com. "Santa, Soprano, Patrick Fiori, Matt Pokora coachs de la prochaine édition de The Voice Kids". LeBlogTVNews (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Portail des Outre-mer La 1ère : actualités et info en direct, vidéo et podcast". Outre-mer la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Soprano:"Le jour où j'ai joué au foot avec Zidane"". L'Express (in French). 2011-04-22. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "L'année du hip-hop 2008 : Soprano grand gagnant. – News Musique – actu musique, nouveauté musique". musique.premiere.fr. Archived from the original on 2010-05-05. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "NRJ Music Awards 2025". NRJ.fr (in French). 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Kocher, Grégory (2014-11-14). "Soprano : son album Cosmopolitanie est Disque D'Or !". 13OR du Hip-Hop (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Generations (2016-12-01). "Generations". Generations (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Soprano : «L'Everest» est disque de platine!". NRJ.fr (in French). 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Soprano: «L’Everest» vendu à plus de 800 000 exemplaires! (in French). 2018-06-18. Retrieved 2025-08-30 – via www.nrj.fr.
- ^ "Soprano: «Zoum» avec Niska dans le New Hit Friday sur NRJ". NRJ.fr (in French). 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Charhi, Issam (2017-09-28). "The Voice Kids : Soprano devient coach !". Public (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Les certifications". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Soprano évoque la guerre en Ukraine sur "Soldat de paix", titre inédit de sa réédition". www.chartsinfrance.net (in French). 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Belgique, N. R. J. "Soprano: un clip pour « Facile à danser » en attendant un nouvel album!". www.nrj.be (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Soprano annonce son retour en juin avec "Freedom", son nouvel album". BFMTV (in French). 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ leblogtvnews.com. "Santa, Soprano, Patrick Fiori, Matt Pokora coachs de la prochaine édition de The Voice Kids". LeBlogTVNews (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ à 12h44, Par Le 13 octobre 2014 (2014-10-13). "VIDEOS. Soprano pèse ses mots". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ DuRocher, Kristina (2011-03-30), ""My Mother had Warned me about this":", Raising Racists, University Press of Kentucky, pp. 12–33, retrieved 2025-08-30
- ^ a b c d e "French certifications – Soprano" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Discographie Soprano". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "Discographie Soprano". Belgium (Wallonia) Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Discographie Soprano". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
- ^ "Clip de "Ils nous connaissent pas" : Soprano dénonce une génération sacrifiée". chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
- ^ "Soprano et R.E.D.K dévoilent le clip "Simple constat 5"". chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
- ^ ""L'Everest" : Soprano passe le cap des 400.000 ventes avec son dernier album". chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
- ^ ""Phoenix" : l'album de Soprano certifié platine pour 100.000 ventes en un mois". chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
- ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes – SNEP (Week 46, 2018)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ min, Charts·3 février 2020 | 10 h 19 (2020-02-03). "Top Albums : une seconde semaine au sommet pour Maes". aficia (in French). Retrieved 2020-02-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Top Albums (Week 45, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Discographie Soprano". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 39, 2021)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 31, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 48, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
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