The day Akhénaton changed his mind about Jul was when he participated in the Marseille project “13 Organisé”. However, a few years earlier, Akhénaton had stated in an interview that he did not endorse the Marseille rapper. But Jul managed to win over Akhénaton, just as he did with many other insiders, after first conquering the public.
Akhénaton is a Founder
In 1997, IAM released “L’école du Micro d’Argent”, a classic album that forever revolutionized the history of French rap. This album even featured a collaboration with the Wu-Tang Clan on the track “La Saga”. A few years later, Akhénaton and Shurik’n would reunite with Method Man and Redman from the same Wu-Tang Clan on the track “Noble Art”.
The rap of the late ’90s is nothing like today’s rap. Back then, substance was prioritized over style. No, rap hasn’t always been about delivering a message. It started at festive parties hosted by DJ Kool Herc in the Bronx, where rhythm took precedence over lyrics. However, French rap and its pioneers turned the French language and its alliterations into a major asset, setting French rap apart from its American counterpart—this was France’s cultural exception.
Almost a decade ago, #Akhenaton shared his opinion on #Jul and autotune! pic.twitter.com/ljRZCf4A8k
— ZE Z’ XXI (@ze_xxi) December 24, 2020
Akhénaton Shares His Opinion on Jul
Decades later, Akhénaton was asked about the current state of rap. His critical gaze then turned to Jul. The rapper from la Liga One was just starting out, and his use of autotune was off-putting to some of the traditionalists who guarded the sacred temple of French rap. For Akhénaton, it was the same: he clarified that he had nothing against the rapper personally, but that autotune, whether in French or American rap, disgusted him.
This track #MarseilleLaNuit is the sample used by #Jul in #JesuisMarseille from #13Organisé pic.twitter.com/gNFIAF9BeY
— ZE Z’ XXI (@ze_xxi) December 24, 2020
Akhénaton Participates in “13 Organisé” by Jul
Jul launched his compilation 13 Organisé, bringing together all the rappers from Marseille, from the pioneers like IAM, FF, and Keny Arkana to Psy 4, the stars of today, and the new generation. Akhénaton took part in the track “Je suis Marseille“. For those who don’t know, the sample from “Je suis Marseille” comes from “Marseille La Nuit“, a track by IAM featured on the original soundtrack of the first Taxi movie.
Why did #Akhénaton participate in #13Organisé by #Jul? pic.twitter.com/aLaEWe8Xxh
— ZE Z’ XXI (@ze_xxi) December 24, 2020
Why Did Akhénaton Change His Mind About Jul?
But how can we explain Akhénaton‘s change of heart? He explained his reasons in an interview with BFM TV. The 13 Organisé project is simply exceptional and wouldn’t have been the same without the founders of IAM. However, his opinion on autotune remains unchanged.
It’s known that during the live performance of “Je Suis Marseille“, Akhénaton and Shurik’n agreed to participate only if there was no autotune. They expressed their views on autotune during this live performance.