Are you looking to diversify your French music playlists for your French courses? Teaching with French music is one of my favourite teaching strategies – it is just so effective! Today I will be sharing with you 5 diverse French singers for French class.
Don’t forget to grab your music freebie!
Why is important to have diverse French singers on your playlists?
I am part of many French teacher communities on social media and in real life. I often see teachers ask for French singer recommendations. It absolutely pains me to see only white singers be recommended. Furthermore, what is worse is that a lot of the recommended singers are either dead or they are seniors right now!
Don’t get me wrong, I do think that there is value in these songs. As a matter of fact, my students have memorized the lyrics to many popular tunes from Compagnie Créole!
However, as teachers we need to engage our students and French pop culture is one such way to capture their attention. In addition, representation is also really important in music and pop culture as it is in books.
Therefore, I am sharing with you 5 singers that are super popular right now for very good reasons! Also, If you are looking for a super fun & engaging music unit, see my French music unit below.
Finally, you may have noticed that Stromae is not mentioned in this article. He was my first favourite French singer. That being said, he has not released new music in some time and I really wanted to give some love to more current artists!
1. Soprano
Soprano is the stage name of Saïd M’Roubaba. He is a French singer, songwriter and rapper. He was born in Marseille, France in 1979 and his parents are originally from Comores.
Soprano sings and raps about topics that are meaningful and relevant. His music is powerful because there is always an important message that he attempts to convey.
Soprano’s top 5 most viewed songs on YouTube are Clown, En feu, Le Coach, Mon Precieux and Roule!
2. Aya Nakamura
Aya Namko was born in Bamako, Mali and she moved with her family to France as a child. She comes from a family of griots which are West African storytellers/singers.
Nakamura is known for the genres Afropop & pop and she often sings about topics such as relationships and love.
Her music is really catchy and you will want to get up and dance!
Nakamura’s most viewed songs on YouTube are Djadja, Pookie, Copines, Comportement and La dot.
3. Maître Gims
Gims is the stage name of Gandhi Bilel Djuna. Maître or simply Gims is a French singer, rapper and songwriter. He was born in Kinsasha, Congo and moved to France as a toddler.
Maître Gims also created his own record label that is affiliated with Universal Music France.
His brother Dadju is also a famous singer & rapper.
Gims’ most viewed songs on YouTube are Sapés comme jamais, Bella, Est-ce que tu m’aimes?, J’me tire and Mi Gna
4. Indila
Indila is the stage name of Adila Sedraïa. She is of Algerian, Egyptian, Indian and Cambodian descent and was born in Paris.
She is a singer and songwriter and has written songs for many famous French artists such as M. Pokora.
Indila not only sings in French, but she has also done vocals in English, Spanish and Hindi!
Indila’s 5 most viewed songs on YouTube are Dernière danse, S.O.S, Tourner dans le vide, Love story and Parle à ta tête.
5. Slimane
Slimane Nebchi is an Algerian-French singer and songwriter. Slimane won season 5 of The Voici and gained fame and success soon after.
In 2019, he released an album with Vitaa that was incredibly successful. Their most viewed songs on YouTube are Ça va ça vient, Avant toi, VersuS, Fais comme ça and À fleur de toi.
Who are your favourite diverse French singers? Share with all of us in the comments below!
