Photo: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · credits
Tier 3 · vertical & regional
Youssoupha
Person · male · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Kinshasa · born 1979 · recording since 2005
Congolese rapper
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Listen on SpotifyYouTube Music
Also known as Youssoupha Mabiki · 优素法
Timeline
14 events▣ Album 11◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1✦ Award 1
1970s
2000s
· Debut release
Debut release: Éternel Recommencement
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography486 words · 4 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1371920270
Biography
Youssoupha Mabiki (French pronunciation: [jusufa mabiki]; born 29 August 1979), better known by his nickname Youssoupha is a French and Congolese rapper.
Early life and career
He was born to a Congolese father, the musician and Congo-Kinshasa political figure Tabu Ley Rochereau and a Senegalese mother. After spending his childhood in Congo-Kinshasa, at the age of 10, he moved to France to live with relatives in Beziers, then Osny, Cergy and Sartrouville. He finished his French baccalauréat at Académie de Versailles with high grades and continued with Cultural Mediation, Communication at Roanne and La Guillotière. After obtaining his master's degree, he dedicated himself to music.
His first album Frères Lumières was a trio with two other friends. They released a maxi single. He was also involved in many musical projects including the album Tendance by the band Bana Kin (with Sinistre Kozi Philo and Mic genie).
His own street DVD was released at end of 2005 as Eternel Recommencement followed in 2006 and was signed to Hostile record label. After working with a number of renowned rappers, he released his debut studio album in March 2007 titled À chaque frère
À chaque frèreSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1À chaque frère3:072Ma destinée4:113Les apparences nous mentent4:444Macadam3:455Dangereux5:476Les Meilleurs Ennemis4:287Nouveau désordre4:098Ma sueur et mes larmes4:469One Love3:2410Scénario3:5611En marge3:5112Dans une autre vie4:4513Le monde est à vendre4:2714Rendons à Césaire4:2315Classique (plus rien ne m'étonne)3:3916Éternel recommencement6:12 ("To Every Brother") containing collaborations from Diam's, Kool Shen, S'Pi and Mike Génie.
His second album came out in October 2009 called Sur les chemins du retour
Sur les chemins du retourSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Aéroport2:192Apprentissage4:093Itinéraire d’un bledard devenu banlieusard5:014À force de le dire5:525Le ghetto n’est pas un abri3:556Calmement4:087Escale (interlude)1:158La Même Adresse4:269Le Message5:1410L’Effet papillon5:5011Check de l’épaule4:1312Dans la légende4:1913Quinze ans en arrière7:02 ("On the Ways of Return"), alongside an international tour. In preparation of his third album, he also released a downloadable
Digi-tape En noir et blanc - En attendant Noir Désir ("Black & White, Waiting for Black Desire") where he included some remixes of the album. In January 2012, he released his third studio album Noir désir ("Black Desire") featuring Taipan, Corneille, S-Pi, Sam's, Indila, LFDV and his own father Tabu Ley Rochereau"
On 22 April 2025, Youssoupha—alongside co-headliners Fally Ipupa and Gims—curated and led a sold-out benefit concert, Solidarité Congo, at the Accor Arena. The philanthropic event, which assembled 30 prominent artists from the French rap scene as well as internationally acclaimed and Congolese artists, sought to mobilize resources for children impacted by the Rwandan-backed M23 insurgency in eastern DRC. The entirety of the proceeds was designated for Dadju's Give Back Charity. Initially slated for 7 April, the event was postponed in observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
In popular culture
He took part as songwriting teacher at the French reality television program Popstars.
In 2009, French journalist Éric Zemmour opened a lawsuit against him accusing him of public threats for diabolizing the banlieues. Youssoupha responded in an interview with Le Parisien that he advocated non-violence, but was pointing out the contradictions of Zemmour. He also responded with his single Menace de mort (meaning Death threat in English) with clips from various television programs quoting anti-immigrant sentiments expressed by media figures.[1]
His song La Foule featured in the second episode of the first season of the Amazon streaming series The Boys.
Decorations
Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (2016)
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 15 | 72.5th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 58 | 95.3th |
| Studio albums | 11 | 91.9th |
| Awards recorded | 1 | 89th |
| Timeline events | 14 | 90.5th |
| Recording span (years) | 21 | 47.7th |
| Genres | 12 | 97.8th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (58 release groups · 11 studio albums)
Albums · 11
2005 · Mixtape/Street
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 50:02
1Apologie de la rue4:252Toubab4:383La Rage en featuring3:584Babylone Zoo4:255Youssoupha est mort3:406Éternel Recommencement6:157Lyriciste Bantu (Original Mc)3:048Anti-vénus2:379Ce rap va m'perdre4:4510Post scriptum12:152007 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:09:34
1À chaque frère3:072Ma destinée4:113Les apparences nous mentent4:444Macadam3:455Dangereux5:476Les Meilleurs Ennemis4:287Nouveau désordre4:098Ma sueur et mes larmes4:469One Love3:2410Scénario3:5611En marge3:5112Dans une autre vie4:4513Le monde est à vendre4:2714Rendons à Césaire4:2315Classique (plus rien ne m'étonne)3:3916Éternel recommencement6:122009 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 13 tracks · 57:43
1Aéroport2:192Apprentissage4:093Itinéraire d’un bledard devenu banlieusard5:014À force de le dire5:525Le ghetto n’est pas un abri3:556Calmement4:087Escale (interlude)1:158La Même Adresse4:269Le Message5:1410L’Effet papillon5:5011Check de l’épaule4:1312Dans la légende4:1913Quinze ans en arrière7:02En noir & blanc (en attendant Noir Désir)
2011 · Mixtape/Street
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 18 tracks · 1:05:03
1La Foule4:092Clashes3:293Poids plume4:044Revolver2:365La Foule, pt. 23:076Yoka3:517Rap franc CFA (remix by Chi)2:158Haut-parleur3:279Droopy4:1110Rien a changé4:1211Apprentissage (remix)5:5012Rap franc CFA2:4813Revolver (remix by Chi)2:4414Revolver (remix by Keor Meteor)2:5915Poids plume (instrumental)4:0416Poids plume (acappella)4:2317Haut-parleur (instrumental)3:2718Haut-parleur (acappella)3:272012 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 17 tracks · 1:16:52
1L’Amour4:062Viens4:003J’ai changé4:144Menace de mort4:025Histoires vraies4:386Irréversible4:027Les Disques de mon père4:558L’enfer c’est les autres5:349B.A.O. (Bouche à oreille)4:2810Gestelude, Pt. 14:3911Noir Désir3:3112Tout l’amour du monde4:1613Dreamin’5:0314Gestelude, Part 22:5615La vie est belle5:3016Espérance de vie5:24174h37 (Outro)5:34Mixtape spéciale avant l’album
2014 · DJ-mix,Mixtape/Street
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 23 tracks · 1:06:29
1Intro1:372Une spéciale pour la mixtape3:543Le Son des Blocks3:364Connards4:005Africains en mission3:586Bomaye Music1:317Un singe en hiver3:018Le Rapporteur 20053:569Vous avez demandé la police ?1:3010Passion du crime2:5411Réunis3:3012Interlude2:2413Apologie de la rue4:5614Freestyle1:3215Classe affaire3:4516Pas venu pour perdre2:5517Va dire1:3918Portrait de famille4:2019Frères de cendres1:1120Hors du temps3:5721Interlude1:1022Africanisme banakine1:0623Né à Kinshasa4:072014 · Mixtape/Street
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 45:05
1Procès Eric Zemour (intro)2:212Menace de mort (Kobébeats remix)4:373Expectativa de vida5:464Fly (Kobébeats remix)2:235Irréversible (KobéBeats remix, pt.1)3:496Revolver 2012 (Kobébeats remix)3:217Histoires vraies (Kobébeats remix)4:318Le rap c’était mieux…3:409Clashes (Kobébeats remix)2:3810Irréversible (KobéBeats remix, pt.2)3:1711Espérance de vie (KobéBeats remix, pt.2)5:0512Outro3:372015 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:04:16
1Où est l’amour ?3:112Salaam4:373Points communs4:394Maman m’a dit3:385Memento3:386Love Musik3:237À cause de moi3:198Chanson française3:009Entourage5:0010Le Score3:4111Niquer ma vie4:2912Mannschaft4:5313Black Out3:3914Smile3:4115Négritude4:2716Mourir mille fois5:012018 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 45:58
1Polaroïd experience5:312La Cassette1:343Devenir vieux5:034M'en aller3:155Avoir de l'argent4:146Les Sentiments à l'envers3:487Alléluia / 19894:438Par amour3:389Niama na yo2:0010Devant3:3011Mourir ensemble4:0612Le Jour où j'ai arrêté le rap4:362021 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 14 tracks · 41:48
1HOUSTON (Intro)0:132ASTRONAUTE3:253SOLAAR PLEURE3:134GOSPEL2:465KASH3:276BAGARRER3:067MARYAM3:168NEPTUNE TERMINUS3:019INTERSTELLAR3:2610MON ROI3:1611AMBITION (Guinee Conakry)2:4512COLLISION2:5113APRES‐SOIREE3:1614A CHAQUE JOUR…3:472025 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 13 tracks · 35:39
1SUPRÊME2:202ZEQUIN THEORY3:153NOUVEAU KARATÉ2:404LES ALMADIES (Interlude)1:315DIEU EST GRANDE2:566FAIRE MIEUX3:117GOSPEL MOLOTOV2:108GRANDS BOUBOUS DES ANCÊTRES3:129PROSE COMBAT3:0010AMOUR SUPRÊME2:1411GOD BLESS2:5112GIGI2:5413PRIER SANS CRAINTE3:25
Single · 42
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | L'Effet papillonSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 5:531L'Effet papillon5:53 | 21 August 2009 | ||
| 2010 | ApprentissageSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 5:491Apprentissage (Remix)5:49 | 10 January 2010 | ||
| 2010 | La FouleSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 8:161La Foule4:09 2La Foule (instrumental PBO)4:07 | 21 June 2010 | ||
| 2010 | La Foule, part 2Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:071La Foule, part 23:07 | 18 November 2010 | ||
| 2011 | RevolverSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:361Revolver2:36 | 13 March 2011 | ||
| 2011 | Rap franc CFASearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 5:361Rap franc CFA2:48 2Rap franc CFA (Accapella)2:48 | 1 April 2011 | ||
| 2011 | ClashesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 10:271Clashes3:29 2Clashes (instrumental)3:29 3Clashes (accapella)3:29 | 11 May 2011 | ||
| 2011 | IrréversibleSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 6 tracks · 19:151Irréversible4:03 2Irréversible (instrumental)4:06 3Irréversible (a cappella)4:06 4Fly2:33 5Fly (instrumental)2:33 6Fly (a cappella)1:54 | 14 October 2011 | ||
| 2011 | Comme avantSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 12:301Comme avant4:19 2Comme avant4:08 3Comme avant (version accoustique)4:03 | 14 November 2011 | ||
| 2011 | Histoires vraiesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 13:361Histoires vraies4:39 2Histoires vraies (version instrumentale)4:37 3Histoires vraies (version accapella)4:20 | 12 December 2011 | ||
| 2012 | I Know (Remix Street)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:131I Know (Remix Street)3:13 | 1 January 2012 | ||
| 2012 | Poids Plume (remix)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 5:151Poids Plume (remix)5:15 | 23 January 2012 | ||
| 2013 | KitokoSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:331Kitoko3:33 | 1 January 2013 | ||
| 2013 | Cœur de guerrierSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:431Cœur de guerrier3:43 | 19 March 2013 | ||
| 2015 | Pharaons et fantômesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:031Pharaons et fantômes3:03 | 13 March 2015 | ||
| 2017 | Grand ParisSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 7:221Grand Paris7:22 | 28 February 2017 | ||
| 2019 | LongtempsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:011Longtemps3:01 | 22 November 2019 | ||
| 2019 | La luneSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:401La lune3:40 | 13 December 2019 | ||
| 2020 | Dans la villeSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:051Dans la ville3:05 | 28 February 2020 | ||
| 2021 | Cuisine (Extrait de la BO de "Or Noir")Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:281Cuisine2:28 | Soundtrack | 23 September 2021 | |
| 2022 | INTERSTELLARSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:251INTERSTELLAR3:25 | 7 April 2022 | ||
| 2022 | BiatchSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:511Biatch3:51 | 5 May 2022 | ||
| 2022 | Tant mieuxSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:401Tant mieux2:40 | 26 May 2022 | ||
| 2022 | Meurs tout basSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:471Meurs tout bas2:47 | 1 June 2022 | ||
| 2022 | Meurs tout bas (remix)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 5:451Meurs tout bas (remix)2:58 2Meurs tout bas2:47 | Remix | 7 July 2022 | |
| 2022 | Sango niniSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 4:121Sango nini4:12 | 2 August 2022 | ||
| 2022 | J'prends la confianceSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:381J'prends la confiance3:38 | 9 September 2022 | ||
| 2022 | Tous vivantsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:081Tous vivants3:08 | 18 November 2022 | ||
| 2023 | CRIMINELSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:371CRIMINEL3:37 | 24 February 2023 | ||
| 2023 | All Eyes on MeSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:071All Eyes on Me3:07 | 11 May 2023 | ||
| 2024 | LA HAINE D'UN FRÈRESearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:441LA HAINE D'UN FRÈRE2:44 | 10 October 2024 | ||
| 2024 | LA HAINE D'UN FLICSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:511LA HAINE D'UN FLIC2:51 | 10 October 2024 | ||
| 2024 | AlrightSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:451Alright3:45 | 18 October 2024 | ||
| 2024 | Zequin TheorySearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:141Zequin Theory3:14 | 26 November 2024 | ||
| 2025 | CE QU'ILS DEVIENNENTSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:201CE QU'ILS DEVIENNENT3:20 | 10 January 2025 | ||
| 2025 | DIEU EST GRANDESearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:561DIEU EST GRANDE2:56 | 10 January 2025 | ||
| 2025 | Demain tout ira mieuxSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:271Demain tout ira mieux3:27 | 20 February 2025 | ||
| 2025 | FREE CONGOSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:341FREE CONGO3:34 | 21 February 2025 | ||
| 2025 | Mexico En Janvier (Youssoupha remix)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:141Mexico En Janvier (Youssoupha remix)3:14 | Remix | 24 April 2025 | |
| 2025 | Plus que moiSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:591Plus que moi2:59 | 25 September 2025 | ||
| 2025 | LegacySearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:081Legacy3:08 | 4 December 2025 | ||
| 2026 | FeuSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:081Feu3:08 | 5 February 2026 |
Album · 1
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Live à la Cigale 2009Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 18 tracks · 1:40:161Intro du concert Cigale 20098:15 2Aéroport3:39 3Apprentissage4:11 4À force de le dire6:27 5Les apparences nous mentent9:42 6En marge / Check de l’épaule5:50 7Warrior / Respect ma musique 8Medley : Calmement / Macadam6:51 9Apologie de la rue…7:55 10Le Message7:21 11Ma sueur et mes larmes4:49 12La Même Adresse5:24 13Ma destinée4:29 14Scénario3:27 15Itinéraire4:57 16L’Effet papillon7:28 17Éternel recommencement1:58 18One Love7:33 | Live | 11 December 2009 |
EP · 4
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Espérance de vieSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 23:061Espérance de vie6:49 2Espérance de vie (instrumental)6:52 3Espérance de vie (acapella)6:52 4Fly2:33 | 2 November 2011 | ||
| 2012 | On se connaîtSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 22:451On se connaît4:43 2Dreamin’5:03 3Les Disques de mon père4:55 4Histoires vraies4:38 5I Know (Street Remix)3:26 | 17 December 2012 | ||
| 2013 | Boma Yé (L'album s'appellera Négritude)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 19:031Boma Yé3:43 2Boma Yé (vocal remix)4:08 3Boma Yé (Beat remix by Drixxxé)3:46 4Boma Yé (instrumental)3:43 5Boma Yé (a cappella)3:43 | 6 December 2013 | ||
| 2024 | Les PréliminairesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 10:251Zequin Theory3:14 2Jusqu'à la folie4:16 3Paro2:55 | 29 November 2024 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Youssoupha head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 15 | 72.5th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 58 | 95.3th |
| Studio albums | 11 | 91.9th |
| Awards recorded | 1 | 89th |
| Timeline events | 14 | 90.5th |
| Recording span (years) | 21 | 47.7th |
| Genres | 12 | 97.8th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres | won |
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frères Lumières(band) | — | 2005 | original |
| Collectif Apash(band) | — | present |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Youssoupha_NRJ_Music_Awards_2013.jpgaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/6fabf3aa-1822-49f2-b6c7-57560464696fdiscography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/6fabf3aa-1822-49f2-b6c7-57560464696fcore—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138856genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138856seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youssouphabiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youssoupha
Why this artist is in the database
- List of hip-hop musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q138856 · MusicBrainz: 6fabf3aa-1822-49f2-b6c7-57560464696f
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