Rising Gabonese rapper Benjamin Epps, a highly promising talent in the French-speaking rap scene, has just released his first album, La grande désillusion. The album showcases his mastery of a wide range of sounds, surpassing his previous work.
Epps is renowned for his three critically acclaimed EPs, collaborations with artists like Youssoupha, Lino, Dinos, Lous & The Yakuza, Yaron Herman, and Selah Sue, as well as his sold-out concerts.
In October, he received the Best International Flow Award at the prestigious BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.
Now living in France, Epps still reflects on his adolescence in Bellevue, his neighborhood in Libreville, which was marked by violence and poverty. His music delves into family relationships, his experience with fame, and fatherhood.
Epps addresses his friends, his country, and the difficult conditions in his neighborhood. He states, “Around us, it’s not rosy; we’re not advocating violence, but it’s just that there’s violence around us. Living and growing up there was a very important part of my decision to do what I do today.”
The album features guest appearances from artists such as Josman, MC Solaar, Angélique Kidjo, and New Yorker Styles-P, who collectively encapsulate his diverse influences. With African music icon Angélique Kidjo and French rap representative MC Solaar, the album embraces a variety of styles.
On tracks like “Vivre“, Epps’ soulful and nostalgic production captures both the past memories of lost loved ones and a determined desire to “Live” to avoid reliving those experiences.
We thoroughly enjoyed this album and are confident you will too. Give it a listen below:
#Peace.Love.BenjaminEpps
