Bekar earned a gold certification with “Plus fort”, released in 2023. He’s back with “Alba”, a namesake album echoing the hit by Sofiane Pamart and Bon Entendeur. This new project, released under Panenka Music, reached the 20th spot on the Belgian Pop Charts — an impressive start. The Panenka label continues to prove its high standards, with a roster that includes major names like PLK, Georgio, and Therapy Taxi.
Hailing from Roubaix, just like Ben PLG and rap pioneer Gradur, Bekar recently explained on the show Le Code that he has little interest in overly melancholic sounds. He suggests that the harsh, post-industrial environment of Roubaix — often grey and bleak — may have influenced the emotional tone of his earlier work. With “Alba”, and especially “Laponie”, his recent collaboration with Gradur, Bekar steps into a brighter, more upbeat soundscape. The result is a bold yet successful artistic shift, with clear pop influences.
Bekar and Gradur head to “Laponie”!
The production was crafted by Lucci’ and Uraaken. A prolific beatmaker, Lucci’ has collaborated extensively with Georgio, another cornerstone artist of Panenka and a close friend of Bekar. Uraaken is also credited for “S’en aller” by Tsew The Kid. Together, they deliver a pop-infused instrumental that perfectly suits Bekar’s smooth transitions between singing and rapping.
In a clever nod to pop culture, “Laponie” samples the iconic hit “Dragostea din tei” by Romanian group O-Zone, a track that dominated charts across Europe in the early 2000s. This nostalgic reference injects an extra layer of energy into what’s already a summer-ready anthem.
True to form, Bekar doesn’t shy away from addressing social issues in his lyrics — a signature move reminiscent of Ben PLG. Perhaps it’s something in the northern French DNA?
“I took the bus to public school
Dad picked me up in a Laguna
The state gets richer, the people suffer
It’s been like that since the dawn of time”
Gradur, typically known for his punchlines and braggadocio, surprises here with sincerity and vulnerability:
“I got problems, so I talk about them in music
Better than drowning them in booze
And I’m cold the first time we meet
If you watch my snaps, you wouldn’t even know”
The video, directed by Nino REC, captures the two rappers hanging out on a terrace, surrounded by friends, in a warm and laid-back atmosphere. A visual that mirrors the spirit of the track: simple, human, and sunny. Though not exclusively active in the rap scene, Nino REC is a versatile director who recently worked on the video for “Fi Derbi” by Ski and ElGrandeToto.
