Les Flammes: Aya Nakamura and Gazo crowned artists of the year, like last year News

Launched last year by the media Yard and Booska P and supported by Spotify, the ceremony dedicated to urban music made its return Thursday evening at the Théâtre du Châtelet. The opportunity to bring together, for one evening, all the elite of French hip-hop. But with the coronation of rapper Gazo and singer Aya Nakamura, both elected Artists of the Year, the evening has the air of déjà vu. The duo has already been rewarded with these prizes during the first edition and at the 39th Victory ceremony last February.

White fur jacket, Aya Nakamura, who snubbed the ceremony in 2023, opened the ball, performing Baby, her hit with tunes from the 2000s. The audience knows the title by heart. The same goes for the following two: Pookie, taken from his second album, and Hypé. A long “freestyle” speech by Waly Dia follows. “Rachida Dati, isn’t she there? No, it’s okay, we’ve seen too much of it, he jokes. She’s in the Macron Game, you shouldn’t trust her.” The comedian took the opportunity to return to the controversy surrounding Aya Nakamura's potential participation in the Olympic Games. "When Daft Punk were expected to open the ceremony, no one said 'it's a shame' [...] They speak in English and like Siri and no one has a problem with that", he concluded.

During the evening, the 28-year-old singer won three awards: that of the New Pop Album, from the hands of star dancer Guillaume Diop. But also that of the Female Artist and international influence of the year. “Thank you to the Flames for these trophies,” she said to the approximately 2,000 spectators present in the room. It wasn't easy for me but this victory is for all the "renois". We come from far away.” For his part, Gazo was crowned Male Artist of the Year.

Josman, Shay, Alonzo, Franglish... Around twenty artists performed on the Châtelet stage. The organizers, who revealed the names of the singers present a few hours in advance, had kept a big surprise: a show by La Fouine. He covered his hit Du Ferme before being joined on stage by singer Zaho to perform their duet Ma Meilleure.

In total, twenty-four Flames were awarded. Rappers, composers, labels and productions... No one has been left aside. An “Eternal Flame”, equivalent to the Victory of Honor, was also awarded to Kore, a producer who has worked with Booba and Sexion d’Assault, among others. Last year, Marseillais Le Rat Luciano received this trophy from the hands of rapper SCH, rewarded this year with the Flame for best concert.

Also read “The numbers are huge and never go down”: the magic recipe of Jul, French rap cash machine

After the coronation of Ronisia and Werenoi in 2023, the second edition of Les Flammes has designated the new musical revelations of the moment: Merveille and Favé. As with the majority of categories, these winners were selected, “equally by the public and a jury of experts”, according to the organizers. Unsurprisingly and as at the Victoires de la Musique, the trophy for video of the year was awarded to rapper Shay for Commando, her title produced in Sin City style.

Rapper Medine dedicated his track Gaza Soccer Beach “to all the missing children.” Adama Traoré's sister, who came to present the Flame of Social Commitment, also paid tribute to those "who have fallen", saluting "those artists who bring these battles to music". The evening ended at midnight sharp, under a shower of glitter and with the song Petit Génie, performed by Jungeli, Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing and Lossa.

Female Artist:

Male artist:

Female revelation:

Male revelation:

Scenic revelation:

Album of the Year:

Album rap :

New pop album:

Piece :

Rap performance track:

R'n'b track:

Piece of African music: