The filiation is assumed. Last night, among dozens of Instagram story shares, El Nueve confirmed what rap connoisseurs had quickly grasped. The gala outfit worn by Karim Benzema on Monday evening at the Châtelet for the presentation of the Ballon d’Or was a tribute to the one who has long distinguished the American rapper Tupac.
Small round glasses, white shirt surrounded by a black collar… The Frenchman bet on a singular style for this big evening. A way to insist on one of the most marked facets of his personality, his love for rap. Tupac Shakur, American hip-hop icon, is his favorite artist. He wore exactly this costume during the presentation of his most famous album “All Eyez on Me”. The man, who died suddenly in 2016 in Las Vegas in a still unsolved shooting, represented California and the Death Row label, even though he was from the East Coast.
KB9 has appeared alongside many rappers during their career, regularly changing circles. Initially, there was Rohff, for whom he notably posed his voice in “Fais-moi la passe” a title taken from the album “La Cuenta” released in 2010. He then appeared in 2016 in a clip à la very bling-bling symbolism of the rival Booba “Walabok”. Even more recently, the Algerian star Soolking traveled to his home in Madrid for the filming of “My Life” (2020).
Not to mention his nocturnal outings with the huge American stars Rihanna or Drake, Benzema has inspired many French rappers. Booba, Jul, La Fouine, Rohff, Kaaris, Sneazzy… We maintain his “street cred” by quoting the footballer with his unique talent and long sulphurous image. “I would have kept Karim Benz if I was Didier”, for example dropped in Jul, in relation to the five-year absence of the striker in selection.
A few minutes after his coronation this Monday evening in Paris, KB9 received many tributes from artist friends. We will mention pell-mell the Marseillais SoSo Maness, Alonzo and L’Algérino, the Parisians DJ Snake and Hornet La Frappe or even Kalash. Benzema Ballon d’Or, the victory of the rap people.
