The Flames 2023: The Ceremony That Set French Rap on Fire
After all the anticipation, it's here: the ceremony created by the rap world and for it finally took place in 2023. For the first time, the key players in the scene united to offer an original ceremony. A look back at this evening full of emotions, decorations, and crazy outfits, with an incredible style.
"Les Flammes", the ceremony made in French Rap
The relationship that rap has with awards is quite particular. Whether in the United States, where Eminem, Kanye West and many others have harshly criticized the institutions that honored them (especially during the Grammys), or in France, where every year for 25 years the Victoires de la Musique create discomfort when it comes to awarding rappers (one year some were even placed in "World Music"...), it can be said that the rap game is not very friendly with "mainstream" award ceremonies. This is probably due to its resolutely underground and rebellious nature. For all these years, rap fans and the urban scene have sought a way to reconcile the game with award ceremonies by creating an evening where this culture and those who continue to create it can be celebrated every year. Thus were born "Les Flammes", the first French-speaking ceremony dedicated to rap and popular cultures, born from the initiative of several big names in the scene, such as the media Yard and Booska P, whom you all know.
Of course, there was a category for Song of the Year, but also for "Rap Performance Song of the Year". An interesting category focusing on the art of kick flow and wordplay, a type of rap too rarely rewarded. But there was also the RnB song, Afro song, and Caribbean song of the year, each with its own category, again representing the full diversity of these cultures. Music videos were also awarded, as well as covers, composers, labels, and even launch strategies, each with its own category. Special mention to the two categories "The Flames of Social Engagement of the Year" and "The Eternal Flame", which naturally touch us deeply. One because it rewards someone who concretely acts to do good in their community, and the other because it honors a legend of the game, who receive too little recognition from a new generation that sometimes neglects the founding fathers of this culture. The whole event was broadcast live on Youtube, simultaneously on 6Play, and rebroadcast later in the evening on W9. As we told you, the team went all out to make this ceremony unforgettable.
"Les Flammes", the most stylish ceremony?
And we can say that this evening was quite unforgettable. First, thanks to the joy it brought to all the players in the current popular music scene, even when they were only nominated and not awarded. You could see it, they all knew they were part of something historic, as well as a great moment of celebration and sharing. That’s also why everyone dressed to the nines. We saw incredible outfits, notably SCH with his oversized quilted gray suit, Orelsan wearing a tie & dye piece, Dinos with his black suit and large fur-style cape, paired with Gucci loafers. And Gazo, all shiny and smiling after the crazy year he just had. We saw a bunch of very inspired outfits that night, and it’s the first time we’ve seen so much style at an awards ceremony in France. And you know us at Project X Paris: for us, that counts a lot.
Especially since, in addition to being very stylish that night, some artists with whom PXP collaborated were awarded. This is notably the case of Kalash, who received the Flame for Caribbean Song of the Year, for his feature with Maureen, "Laptop". A banger made for hot parties, very rhythmic, with a video that smells like the tropics. By the way, the rapper took the opportunity to perform a medley of his most iconic tracks on stage, wearing a rather sober outfit, all in black, except for the huge gold chain around his neck. Another very successful outfit and performance for Kalash, who is getting used to it. But he’s not the only Project X Paris muse to be awarded, since Ronisia also won the Flame for Female Revelation of the Year. We told you she would be one to watch! She performed "Nha Terre" and "Mélodie" live, two tracks from her album released last year. With a big, stylish stage design, in short, more great work from her.
We also want to congratulate the big winners of this edition of "Les Flammes", notably Gazo (Spotify Album of the Year), Tiakola (New Pop Album of the Year, Afro Song of the Year, and RnB Song of the Year), Dinos (Rap Album of the Year and Feature of the Year), and Aya Nakamura (Female Artist of the Year), all rewarded in the most competitive categories. If some victories sparked debate, that’s always the case, and maybe that’s the point of an award ceremony. The greatest victory is for the popular cultures that were represented on May 11 in all their diversity. Even the good old Rat Luciano, iconic member of the Fonky Family, one of the founding fathers of Marseille rap in the 90s, who was awarded the Eternal Flame for his incredible body of work. This first ceremony was very successful, and we hope there will be more to come!