For those of you who want to discover French singers and musicians: standout artists
When it comes to French music, many people probably think of chanson or French pop.
In fact, France has many musicians who effortlessly cross genre boundaries.
From electro to hip-hop to rock, there are quite a few artists who captivate listeners around the world with their unique sensibilities.
In this article, we’ll be introducing plenty of such singers and musicians from France.
Encounters with music you’ve never heard before might just add a splash of color to your everyday life!
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For those who want to discover French singers and musicians: Notable Artists (1–10)
AcrobatesL.E.J
L.E.J is a French vocal trio that achieved worldwide recognition in 2015 when one of their YouTube videos became a massive hit.
The group’s name comes from the initials of its members: Lucie Lebrun, Elisa Paris, and Juliette Saumagne.
While they have idol-like looks, they are highly skilled and possess strong vocal group abilities.
Their song “Acrobates” is a great example that showcases their impressive talents.
Be sure to check it out.
Hymne à l’amourEdith Piaf
Édith Piaf, the most famous French singer.
Strictly speaking, it’s not a genre, but she is one of the leading artists of chanson, and even after her passing, her songs continue to be played across various media.
One of her signature masterpieces is “Hymne à l’amour.” It’s a work where you can savor her extraordinary expressiveness, beautifully conveying the depth of love.
In the history of music, she ranks among the very best at pouring emotion into her performances, so be sure to check her out.
AAADimie Cat
Dimi Cat is a singer-songwriter from France.
As a vocalist in electro swing—a swing jazz style centered on electronic music—she has gained international popularity.
Her classic approach, which embodies the upbeat, groovy side of electro swing, is striking; every track retains a stylish atmosphere while still being easy to dance to.
The piece “AAA” is the work that helped propel her to international fame.
For those who want to discover French singers and musicians: Featured artists (11–20)
Est-ce que tu m’aimes ?Maître Gims
Maître Gims is a rapper from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Even among people who listen to French music, not many may know him.
Although he is active in Congo as well, he has recently been focusing on France and has collaborated multiple times with famous French singers.
He is also known for his powerful vocal ability that rivals that of dedicated vocalists, despite being a rapper.
“Est-ce que tu m’aimes?” is one of his signature songs.
PapaoutaiStromae
Stromae is an artist from Belgium.
Because he’s active on the French music scene, many people often mistake him for a French artist, but he’s actually Belgian.
Since Belgium is also a French-speaking country, people abroad often make the same assumption.
His appeal lies above all in his catchy musical style.
It’s distinctive, yet it grabs listeners’ hearts—that’s what makes him so remarkable.
His song “Papaoutai” is a global hit that encapsulates his charm.
BécaneYamê
Yamé is a French-Cameroonian singer-songwriter.
Exposed to music from an early age, he’s known for a style that blends genres like R&B, soul, jazz, and hip-hop.
He’s also something of a late bloomer: as of 2024 he is 31 years old, and he debuted in 2023.
Despite debuting at 30, he’s firmly in step with current trends and has earned high praise for hip-hop-tinged neo-soul.
His refined musicality resonates not only in France but also across the Francophone world, including Cameroon and Belgium.
Et si tu n’existais pasJoe Dassin
American singer-songwriter Joe Dassin.
Although he was born in New York, family circumstances led him to move to Europe, and he went on to build his career in France.
Having lived in France since the age of 12, his pronunciation is native, and with a master’s degree from university, his lyrics are exceptionally refined.
Et si tu n’existais pas is the biggest hit among his songs.
It continues to be covered in various languages to this day.