We're just a few days away from the big kick-off for the second edition of the Planète Rap soccer match, the result of a partnership between Skyrock and Project X Paris, in aid of the Abbé Pierre Foundation. The match between rappers and influencers will take place on Sunday June 11, and it's an opportunity to bring together a host of stars for a great party, and above all, for a good cause. Here at PXP, we'd like to give you a list of our favorites, focusing on the rappers, in the hope that they'll shine on Sunday!
Soso Maness, the obvious choice
It couldn't have been a real game of footsies with rappers without artists from Marseille. Because yes, soccer in Marseille has a real fervor, and the club is still part of the DNA of all the inhabitants of the city and the surrounding area. And of course, Soso Maness is also a big fan of OM and the round ball. He was even lucky enough to tread the Vélodrome pitch for the Match des Héros a few years ago. We don't know if he'll be the most technically gifted, but we do know that he'll be there to set the mood, as he did during our collaboration with him, and also to motivate the troops with a speech, if he manages to keep a straight face. Capable of all kinds of antics on the pitch, he's one to watch closely!
Fresh, the littlefra in the skylight?
Of course, the Planète Rap 2 soccer match isn't all French, and Belgium has also thought of sending us some talent. The crème de la crème, in fact, since we'll have the honor of having the winner of Nouvelle École season 1 Fresh. There's no need to introduce him: a real mic-cutter, aggressive but also technical, and above all, quite tall and strong, the rapper could do just as much damage as a central defender, or as a top striker whose size will be unmanageable for opposing defenders. And in any case, when your name is Fresh "La Peufra", you're obliged to take at least one shot at the top corner. We feel sorry for anyone who has to defend or attack him throughout the match.
Uzi, the virtuoso
To tell the truth, we've never really seen them play. Uzi at a soccer match. But if the rapper is as good with a ball as he is with a microphone, expect to be surprised. We also know that he's a big soccer fan, having made a name for himself with a video in which everyone was wearing Arsenal shirts. Arsenal fans generally love the beautiful game, and that's exactly what we're expecting from the young rapper, who we're guessing is quick on his feet: creativity, madness and, why not, a touch of arrogance and talent. We know he's resourceful, as we saw during our shoot with him, and he also has the advantage of youth, which others like Soso Maness or Naps no longer have. Two good reasons why we'd like to see him as a winger, a position where fantasy is permitted, and even encouraged.
Naps, the veteran
It's a bit of a drag Naps about his age, but he'll probably be the oldest participant in this Planète Rap 2 soccer match, unless Fred Musa decides to take to the field himself to put in a few bridges (a scene we'd pay to see). But Nabil has other trump cards up his sleeve: his experience, synonymous with a real science of placement and understanding of the game. An understanding enhanced by the large number of soccer matches he's seen, as a big OM fan himself. We don't know if his cardio is always up to scratch, but here again, expect him to play an important role in group cohesion. And he's no slouch when it comes to setting the mood, either, so we're hoping that during the match there'll be plenty of banter, as the Marseillais know how to do!
Hatik, the star of the team?
Beware, danger! The player we're about to introduce has everything it takes to be one of the key elements in the match, capable of turning it almost single-handedly. Hatik has proved several times, in his texts or in various interviews (including one with After Foot, which is no mean feat), that he is a true connoisseur of the round ball. He's also shown that he's in top physical shape, notably with his stage performances or in "Validé" season 1, where we saw that he has the physique of an athlete. We've even seen him tease the ball in a few videos, which you can find on Youtube. We can tell you one thing, he's got a big ball-strike, and in a match like this, that can be enough to tip the scales. So keep an eye on him, especially as we imagine he'll be playing an attacking role in his team, so there's every chance of seeing him shine!
Timal, box-to-box
Another big customer, this time direct from 77, with Timal. If we had to define him on the microphone or in real life (we were able to see this up close during our collaboration a few months ago), we'd say he's a very talented guy, relentless and never giving up, aggressive, and also sharp and attentive. All the qualities needed to be a good midfielder. Endurance, cardio, he's got it, and he shows it when he kicke almost without stopping to breathe in some of these early tracks. The rapper is still on fire, and at 25, he's normally at his prime, so we're hoping to see him put as much energy into the field as he does when he's rapping. If he does, he'll burn everyone, and easily. And if the coach decides to play him as a 6, expect to see him harassing opposing strikers throughout the match, like a Gattuso back in the day.
Kodes, the man in the corridor?
As we know, we don't have many full-backs or defenders in our squad at the moment. But Kodes could well be the corridor man we need, the man who makes furious runs upfield with the ball at his feet, then dives back into the middle or sends a ball into the opponent's box. A versatile position for those who know how to do just about everything with a ball, like Kodes with a microphone, who surely has the most varied palette of all the Bat 7. And anyway, footballers with locs, as well as being stylish, are often monsters. Remember Edgar Davids.
The team of rappers :
The team of influencers :
We've given you our favorite rappers, and now we can't wait until Sunday to see it all. If you'd like to see the match too, don't hesitate to sign up. Tickets cost 5 euros, with all proceeds going to the Fondation Abbé Pierre to help combat inadequate housing. The match was launched on the initiative of Skyrock and Project X Paris, and we're very proud to be able to take part in this kind of event, especially when it's for a good cause. The match will take place on Sunday June 11, from 2pm to 6pm, at the Auguste Delaune stadium in Bobigny. We hope to see many of you there!