French Rap Superstar Tiakola Talks London, Tour Life and Mixtape Culture
Getting into the burning questions with the globe-trotting Bondy buzzmaker…
Tiakola in 2025. Image via Press.
For many in the UK, their first proper introduction to French rapper-singer Tiakola came in 2023, when he stepped onto British shores with the Eurostar-stomping Dave double feature "Meridian + Special". Appearing in the "Meridian" video draped in a cool green velvet Corteiz tracksuit—the rapper caught fire.
Fast-forward to the FW25 Jacquemus show, the rap crooner turned heads in a crème monochrome outfit, sat alongside industry titans like Tems, Tyla and Central Cee. This was no accident: the French artist has been working to galvanize excitement among his global fanbase
Following hip-hop moguls' footsteps before him, Tiakola establishes himself as a cultural architect by creating his own record label, M3LO World. Here, he takes a meticulous approach to scouting new talent, sifting through digital catalogues like a crate-digger of the streaming era, carefully observing and reaching out once he's decided.
His latest project, BDLM Vol. 1 (short for Bienvenue Dans Le Milieu, or Welcome to the Milieu), showcases his entrepreneurial, directorial, and artistic savoir-faire. "It was certainly a gamble," he reflects. "Cause there were many not-well-known artists on the project. But we defended it well, the people understood it."
Think of Tiakola's artistic craft as being derived from a melodic palette: hues of ndombolo, shades of Congolese rumba, a splash of hip-hop, a smidge of R&B, elements of Afrobeat, and a refracting layer of harmonising Congolese church melodies. Tiakola's sound feels somewhat familiar—that's because it is.
“What a stone is to a builder, the mixtape is to hip-hop. Tiako understands this well. Bringing newcomers onto his project, singers and rappers alike, they collectively experiment with sounds, cadence, styles, and various instrumentals, letting the people feel their presence—setting the perfect atmosphere to release the more refined album.”
As a '99 baby and the last of eight siblings, he grew up on all the greats—like T-Pain, Jay-Z and 50 Cent, and his sisters put him onto vocal prodigies like Brandy. Through this nuanced medley, he also infuses the heavenly sounds of Congolese evangelic harmonies as he sings about themes ranging from creative introspection, the struggles of growing up in the Parisian housing project Cité des 4000 in La Courneuve, and smoothly delivers braggadocious raps consistent with those of a young artist on the come up.
To truly appreciate Tiakola's artistry, we'd need to go back to the beginning: before, he was the face of Nike France. Even before reaching adulthood, the teenaged Tiakola used to be part of the French rap group 4KEUS along with his friends, making waves in French social media with their viral hit song "O'Kartier C'est La Hess" enjoyed in France and beyond, landing them a deal with major record label Wati B owned by Sony. It has been a while since his "O'Kartier C'est La Hess" days. Tiakola has since gone on to secure many major artist co-signs and collaborations.
We could keep giving you guys the rundown on whom this melodic, smooth-voiced marvel is—but we'd instead get the answers from Tiako himself. Follow along with us as we delve into the mind of a 25-year-old award-winning, boundary-pushing, recently crowned the Prince of French Music and rising visionary bridging youthful ambition with seasoned finesse, ushering a new wave of incredible talent in the French rap scene with his aforementioned latest project.
The Culture Crypt: Congratulations on your project BDLM Vol. 1—how is your tour going so far?
Tiakola: "Really well. We did it in Africa in December. The reception was incredible, and in Europe more recently. Every city has its own special energy… for the moment. I'm very happy."
What was your vision behind BDLM Vol. 1, and how did you select the featured artists?
"Au feeling as always. I've taken notes for a long time while finding these artists. I'd come back to it, I'd keep an eye on the music they'd drop, and when I was sure of myself, I'd contact them for the project. Once you've been in the studio with them, you can't lie—you'll know if it meshes or not, and if it doesn't, it's cool."
With this project, you're reviving a sort of mixtape culture in French rap. What do you think today's rap scene in France is missing that projects like these can help restore?
"I grew up in this era of big French and American mixtapes, which has always been in the back of my mind. These projects bring people together and help with artists' exposure. I needed to really focus on this before going on my second album."
You started in 4KEUS, transitioned into a solo career as Tiakola, and now you're launching your own label, M3LO World. How did moving from a group dynamic to being a solo artist shape your artistry and prepare you for this new role as a leader in the industry?
"The experience has helped me grow as an artist. In the past, I would simply drop a hook or a verse and consider my job done. Now, I am responsible for creating an entire piece of music. This process reflects who I want to become and the type of artist I aspire to be.
Being alone also means confronting my goals, failures, and successes without anyone else around. Being in a group makes everything feel richer because you share experiences with others; there is also a rewarding aspect to being a solo artist. It allows for personal responsibility and maturity in my craft."
You're performing at the Roundhouse in London, and you've been here more frequently—do you have any routines you always follow when you're in the city?
"I definitely enjoy eating at Nando's. I always feel great when I'm in London; I appreciate the city's energy. It's very inspiring. I'm currently making connections [over here], so rendez-vous in a couple of months to potentially collaborate with some UK artists."
If you could wear one designer for a year, who would it be and why?
"It's really complicated, but I don't think I could choose just one brand. If I had to pick, I would say Nike. It's the only sportswear brand I wear, especially because I've been under contract with them for over two years. Honestly, I always manage to find something to wear from their collection [laughs]."
“My style is the perfect balance between fashion and streetwear. That’s how I define my style. We always like to mix beautiful pieces with streetwear basics. That’s how I feel comfortable. But you have to match things well—it’s a science, really, haha.”
What are some words you live by?
"It's basic, but believe in yourself. Certain dreams feel unattainable but come true through a challenge or exceptional circumstances. But it takes a lot of work. For my part anyway, I really had to hustle, but I never stop."
Stream BDLM Vol. 1 below: