Decimo Pays Tribute to Mantes-la-Jolie’s Rap Legacy

Decimo is part of the new wave of artists shaped by Morning Glory. After the release of his mixtape K.E.L.L.O.G.Z Vol. 2, he quickly caught the attention of Bellek, who saw his potential long before the mainstream did. Alongside talents such as Bag Jeune B, Zé, Yoko, and Favé, Decimo has helped establish Morning Glory as one of the most respected artist development labels in French rap. In an interview with Billboard in 2021, Bellek summed up his philosophy perfectly:

“When I play FIFA, I play Career Mode. I sell all my star players and go looking for hidden gems.”

This philosophy is built on instinct rather than numbers. Long before these artists reach a wider audience, Bellek invests in their personality, songwriting, and creative vision. In an interview with Booska-P released around Symphonia Vol. 2, Decimo recalled his very first encounter with the producer. At the time, he barely knew who Bellek was, despite the latter already being one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in French rap.

“He told me, ‘Let me hear what you’ve got.’ […] Then he said, ‘If you’re down, let’s work.’ I went home, searched for DJ Bellek on Google, and thought to myself, ‘Good thing I didn’t play him anything trash.’”

In February 2026, Decimo released his project Mana, followed a few months later by an expanded edition. To celebrate the release, he decided to return to where everything began: his neighborhood.

Raised in Val-Fourré, in Mantes-la-Jolie, and more specifically on Rue François-Pizzaré, the rapper turns this live session into a heartfelt tribute to his hometown. More than a performance, the video feels like a passing of the torch between generations of artists who have shaped the city’s rap identity.

Decimo pays tribute to the rap legacy of Mantes-la-Jolie in his Mana live session

It’s hard to imagine a stronger opening. From the very first seconds, Decimo salutes Vicié and his classic track Les Bas Fonds de Mantes-la-Jolie. Rather than simply covering the song, he treats it as a symbolic handover, even sampling its legendary chorus:

“The underbelly of Mantes-la-Jolie makes itself known.”

With this reference, Decimo places his own music within the broader history of a city where rap has become an essential part of its cultural identity. Both the track and its visual have become landmarks in the musical memory of Mantes-la-Jolie.

The second tribute carries just as much weight. Decimo revisits the legendary Dealer pour survivre by Expression Direkt, one of the defining groups of French hardcore rap. Hailing from the Val-Fourré district, Expression Direkt never achieved the commercial recognition their artistic influence deserved. Nevertheless, songs such as Dealer pour survivre, La Roue tourne, and Au-delà du réel remain timeless classics of French hip-hop.

Dealer pour survivre originally appeared on the 1995 compilation La Haine, musiques inspirées du film, released alongside Mathieu Kassovitz‘s iconic film. Three decades later, Decimo breathes new life into the instrumental, building a bridge between the pioneers of French rap and today’s generation.

The second half of the live session focuses on the new tracks from the expanded edition of Mana: Romeo and NBA. Both instrumentals are produced by Bellek, while Skillano and Sm!le each contribute to one of the tracks.

Together, these songs showcase the full extent of Decimo‘s versatility. While Romeo leans toward a more melodic and atmospheric sound, NBA embraces a darker, more introspective approach rooted in street rap without relying on the clichés of drill or ultra-aggressive trap.

The expanded edition of Mana ultimately reveals an artist capable of balancing technical precision with thoughtful lyricism. Beneath the neighborhood imagery lies a sharp reflection on loyalty, betrayal, and human relationships, as illustrated by these standout bars:

“And your own friend turns against you over a tiny ‘A’ beanie.” (NBA)

and:

“I don’t pay the shooters—they’re my boys, I’ve got a killer discount code.” (NBA)

The video is directed by Jules Navarro, whose cinematic vision elevates the entire performance. Through striking black-and-white photography, carefully framed compositions, and a visual language reminiscent of both Mathieu Kassovitz and the aesthetic often associated with Kendrick Lamar, Navarro transforms the streets of Val-Fourré into a powerful cinematic backdrop. Without relying on flashy effects, he demonstrates an impressive command of visual storytelling, confirming the talent already displayed in his work on L’Homme Enfant by Camille and Anges & Démons by Nuit.