Six years after “Zone 59”, Gradur makes a comeback that is as anticipated as it is symbolic. For those unfamiliar, Gradur is a former French army soldier who first gained recognition through his “Sheguey” freestyles, recorded in Roubaix, in northern France. The term, rooted in Congolese slang, roughly translates to “hustler”, and quickly became a defining element of his artistic identity.
At a time when trap music was just beginning to take hold in France, his early freestyles met with immediate success. Fueled by raw energy and a strong connection with his audience, Gradur quickly built momentum: going gold in record time, he followed up with projects like “L’homme au bob” and “Sheguey Vara”. A rapid rise that firmly established him within the French rap landscape.
Before the release of “Zone 59”, which already marked a return after a period away from the spotlight, the artist told Pure Break: “I needed to take time for myself, to rebuild (…) now I’m fully focused on music”. A sincere approach he clarified with honesty: “I’m not coming back for the money. I’m coming back for the love of music. If it were only about money, I could have stopped.”
In 2026, Gradur opens a new chapter with the project “Décennie”. The first single, “Opps”, comes with a striking visual and a major collaboration with Ninho. The artist from the 91 area, already a dominant figure, continues to position himself as a serious contender for the “Jefe” title in French rap. When it comes to numbers, very few can compete with him.
Gradur and Ninho dive into a dark atmosphere on “Opps”
The production, handled by Rim’s & Stefio, sets the tone instantly. A long-time collaborator of Gradur, Stefio has already left his mark on tracks like “Congolaise” and “Free Congo”. He also produced “Pas Solo”, taken from “Décennie”, featuring SDM. On his side, Rim’s is known for major productions such as “Cavaliero” for Booba and “La Vérité” for Gims. Present since Gradur‘s early days, he contributed to standout tracks like “Passe à la caisse”, “Illégal”, and the iconic “Sheguey 12”.
The result is a dark, heavy instrumental designed to fully unleash the intensity of both artists. Gradur and Ninho deliver raw energy, driven by a strong egotrip tone, blending financial success with street narratives.
“I’ve made so much money, I’ve become rude
All we do is damage our health, stacking hundreds in cash
No more joking around, I took my time, I stayed patient”
or:
“Brazil like Cafu, Argentina like Diego, Maradona
Never give out my number
Except the one written on the IBAN, it’s real, my bro”
The black-and-white visual extends this dark atmosphere, portraying a transaction unfolding in an anonymous Parisian suburb. Directed by Bien Vu Production, it aligns with the collective’s established aesthetic, previously seen in visuals such as “Colorier des HLM” by BEN PLG and Georgio, “T’aimerais” by Kerchak and Ziak, and “Mauvaise” by Werenoi.
