Introduction: Why Count a Rapper’s Words?
Booba is as fascinating as he is divisive. As a central figure in French rap, he’s embodied a unique archetype for over two decades—blending violence, power, poetry, irony, and vision. But how can we truly grasp the evolution of such an elusive artist, beyond albums and feuds? By studying his words. Literally.
We conducted a precise textual analysis of 200 Booba tracks, split into two periods: his first 100 songs (early career) and his latest 100 (late career). The goal: to identify the most frequently used proper names. These names are revealing. They reflect his obsessions, idols, enemies, domains, and doubts. Following them is like retracing the thread of his artistic and personal evolution.
The result is striking. A shift in vocabulary, narrative stance—almost in character. The Booba of the beginning is not the Booba of today. The proof is written, black on white.
Part 1: Words of Ascent
In his early career, Booba was conquering ground. He had to assert himself, claim his identity, his difference, his territory. This is reflected in the frequent use of certain terms: “Hauts-de-Seine” appears 16 times, “92i” is mentioned 15 times, “Booba” and “BB” each appear 13 times, “OKLM” is used 14 times, as is “Game over”. Other recurring terms include “B2O” (13 times), “Glock” (12 times), and “Knob” (12 times). The phrase “This is my life” shows up 16 times.
This vocabulary reveals a rapper building his legend. He situates himself in a physical space (the 92), adopts multiple aliases, and plays with codes of power, violence, and performance. The language is stylized, anglicized, often dramatic. At this stage, Booba speaks mostly about himself. He’s crafting a persona.
Part 2: Words of Distance
In the second half of his discography, the tone shifts dramatically. The most frequently cited words are completely different. At the top: “Ça” (roughly “That/It”), mentioned 44 times, suggesting ambiguity and detachment. Then comes “Paris” (31 times), a symbol of both power and chaos. “Pablo” appears 26 times, “God” 24 times, and “Désiré Doué” 20 times.
Unlike other names sprinkled in various punchlines, Désiré Doué is the subject of a dedicated track. This explains the high occurrence—it’s not just a recurring name or vague metaphor but a focused tribute. Booba devotes an entire song to this young footballer, highlighting his raw talent and precocity as a source of inspiration.
Further down the list are “négro” (18 times), “Gros” (17 times), “Pourquoi suis-je” (15 times), “Tchoin” (12 times), and “Charbonner” (10 times).
Where early Booba projected himself, the later Booba observes. He talks to God, reflects on others, and contemplates success and downfall. He’s no longer building an empire—he’s commenting on the ruins.
Part 3: A Shift in Posture, Not in DNA
This transformation is not a disappearance. Booba hasn’t abandoned his style—he’s reshaped it. He hasn’t changed voice but perspective. The vocabulary shifts because the artist matures. From rising warrior to aging general. From street king to weary oracle.
He remains loyal to his codes: loyalty, street life, solitude, power. But his approach is different. Where once he shouted, now he whispers. Where he imposed, now he describes. He remains the same man—but in a world he no longer tries to dominate, only to understand.
Conclusion: Words as the Mirror of a Career
This lexical analysis lays it out clearly. Booba has moved with time, evolving his language to fit his age, his role, his era. He’s shifted from brute assertion to a form of subtle, almost philosophical storytelling. He hasn’t just followed French rap’s evolution—he’s shaped it.
His words are more than style. They’re his fingerprint. Proof that behind the viral hooks and public provocation, there is a pen. And that pen tells the story—unfiltered—of a man turned myth.
References: Corpus Used for This Analysis
Early Career:
Repose en paix, 100-8 Zoo, Animals, De mauvaise augure, Écoute bien, Indépendants, Jusqu’ici tout va bien, Le bitume avec une plume, Ma définition, Nouvelle école, On m’a dit, Inédit, Destinée, Interlude, Les rues de ma vie, Jusqu’ici tout va bien (Remix), Lord son, Alter Ego, Avant de partir, Baby, Bâtiment C, Commis d’office, Hors-saison, La faucheuse, Le mal par le mal, N°10, Pazalaza pour sazamuser, R.A.P., Avant de partir (Edit), Bâtiment C Part II, B.O (Freestyle Radio), Freestyle Radio 1, Freestyle Radio 4, Je perds mon temps/Freestyle Quai 54, La faucheuse (Remix), La lettre (Freestyle Mixtape), Ouest Side, Outro (A1), Intro (Patrimoine du ghetto), Garde la pêche, Boulbi, Boulbi (CSA Mix), 92 Izi, Au bout des rêves, Au fond de la classe, Boîte vocale, Couleur ébène, Gun In Hand, Je me souviens, Le Duc de Boulogne, Le météore, Mauvais garçon, Ouais ouais, Outro (Ouest Side), Pitbull, Intro (Mix-Tape Evolution), Au bout des rêves (Freestyle), Boîte vocale (Freestyle), Boulbi (Freestyle Cut Killer Show), Garcimore, Intro (A2), Je me souviens (Freestyle), Mauvais garçon (Remix), Ouais ouais (Freestyle Planet Rap), Ouest Side (Freestyle), Quoi qu’il arrive, Le D.U.C., Carton rose, Money on My Mind (Remix), B20BA, Illégal, Izi monnaie, Marche ou crève, 0.9, Bad Boy Street, Game Over, Intro (0.9), Izi Life, King, Marche ou crève (Busy P Remix), Pourvu qu’elles m’aiment, R.A.S, Salade, tomates, oignons, Double Poney, A3, Diamond Girl, La vie en rouge, On contrôle la zone, Rats des villes, Caesar Palace, Ma couleur, Jour de paye, Paradis, 45 Scientific, Abracadabra, Boss du Rap Game, Comme une étoile, Fast Life, Jimmy deux fois.
Late Career:
A.C. Milan, RTC, Parlons peu, Longueur d’avance, 2.0, Futur 2.0 (Livret), La mort leur va si bien, Je sais (Freestyle Rihanna), OKLM, La mort leur va si bien (Twinsmatic Remix), 3G, Caracas, Billets violets, LVMH, A11 Set, Bellucci, D.U.C, G-Love, Jack Da, Les meilleurs, Loin d’ici, Loin d’ici (Twinsmatic Remix), Mon pays, Move Lang, Mr. Kopp, Ratpis, Fuck Around, Attila, #FélixÉboué, Génération Assassin, 4G, 92i Veyron, Charbon, Comme les autres, Habibi, Pinocchio, JDC, Freestyle Couvre Feu (OKLM), E.L.E.P.H.A.N.T., DKR, Daniel Sam, Nougat, 113, À la folie, Bouyon, Ça va aller, Centurion, Drapeau noir, Friday, Magnifique, Petite fille, Ridin’, Gotham, BB, Booba – BB, PGP, Arc-en-ciel, FREESTYLE PIRATE, GLAIVE, CAVALIIERO, JAUNE, Dolce Vita, 5G, Azerty, Kabila, RATPI WORLD, Mona Lisa, 31, Bonne journée, Dernière fois, GP, Grain de sable, Je sais, L’olivier, RST, Kayna, Plaza Athénée, Dragon, Geronimo, Leo Messi, PRT, GDC, Pablo, Pablo (Remix), KOA, Iste, 6G, Abidal, Bénigni, CVBSP, Dolce Camara, GM, Rebel, Saga, Muay Thaï, Freestyle CKO, Kéur, Ici C’est Paris, Magic, DD.
