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Soprano (rapper)
French rapper (born 1979) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
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Early life
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
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2002–2009: De Street Skillz and Puisqu'il faut vivre
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
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
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
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
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.[1] 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
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.[14] 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.[15]
On 3 May 2024, he released the single "Facile à danser".[16] On 23 May 2024, he announced his new album called Freedom.[17]
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.[2]
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Artistry
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
Soprano has been married to his wife, Alexia, since June 2006. Together, the couple has three children: Inaya, Lenny, and Luna.[18] 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.[19]
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Discography
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Studio albums
Live albums
Mixtapes
Other albums
Singles
As lead artist
*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.
As featured artist
*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.
Other charted songs
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References
External links
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