Himra & Gazo Join Forces on “Strip” as Ivorian Drill Breaks Into France

Himra has emerged as one of the most prominent faces of the new Ivorian rap scene to break through in France. A leading figure in Côte d’Ivoire‘s drill movement, he gradually turned local success into a genuine regional phenomenon before making his mark on the French market. His album Jeune & Riche, certified triple platinum in his home country, played a major role in that rise. In 2025, he even became the most-streamed Ivorian rapper in France. It was a significant achievement, following in the footsteps of a long line of Ivorian artists who had already found major success in the country, from Magic System and Alpha Blondy to Tiken Jah Fakoly.

Speaking to Juliette Fievet on Légendes Urbaines, Himra opened up about the crucial role drill has played in shaping his career. Before finding that artistic direction, people around him would sometimes encourage him to make broader, more accessible records. Discovering drill, however, proved to be a revelation. The rapper explained that it brought back the same excitement and energy he had felt when he first started rapping. Among the artists who shaped his relationship with rap, he cites La Fouine and the track “Reste en chien”, as well as Booba. For Himra, drill is above all a return to a rawer, more direct and deeply street-rooted form of rap.

With his latest project, Sorry I’m Bad, Himra has confirmed that his growing presence in France is no longer a minor phenomenon. The record moved more than 3,000 units during its first week on the French market, a significant opening for an artist who is still establishing himself in the country. To put that figure into perspective, even some heavily promoted American artists occasionally struggle to achieve comparable first-week numbers in France. Building on that momentum, Himra has now unveiled the video for Strip, his collaboration with Gazo.

The choice of Gazo makes perfect sense. The Paris-based rapper, who first broke through with his DRILL FR freestyle series, played a major role in bringing drill into the French mainstream. Since then, however, his musical palette has expanded considerably. After famously declaring following his first project, “I promise I’ll make a non-drill song on my next project”, he went on to explore increasingly melodic territory, most notably alongside Tiakola on a decidedly brighter collaborative project. Today, Gazo moves comfortably between street records, hard-hitting drill productions and more melodic, crossover-oriented tracks.

By bringing Himra and Gazo together on Strip, the track connects two artists who, in their respective scenes, have helped establish drill as a major force. It feels like a natural meeting between one of the leading figures of Ivorian drill and one of the genre’s most successful representatives in France.

According to the credits listed on Genius, Strip was produced by Ofzecross, Kimo Beats and Leolandz. Ofzecross notably produced the first two installments of GLK‘s Murder freestyle series. He also contributed to R.I.P, featuring Landy, R2 and Genezio, alongside Leoland. Kimo Beats, meanwhile, recently worked on a track bringing together Mous-K and PLK.

The production itself stands out for its sense of balance. For a collaboration between two major drill figures, Strip deliberately avoids going overboard. A restrained piano sample creates an almost melancholic atmosphere, while a harder, heavier rhythm brings the track firmly back to the genre’s foundations. That contrast suits both artists perfectly as they reflect on their success, their rise and the positions they now occupy within their respective scenes.

Beyond the gimmicks and the track’s immediate appeal, Himra also delivers some striking imagery, beginning with a particularly evocative opening line:

“Bae, I make love to you through my anger (rah), I’m full of adrenaline, red like Bayern (gang).”

Later on, he continues in the same vein:

“Only God can forgive me here, there’s no way I’ll ever give up.
They’re at my feet like a shoemaker, the whole situation is handled and coordinated.”

That focus on writing is no coincidence. During his conversation with Juliette Fievet, Himra stressed the importance of lyrics while laying out a very specific philosophy when it comes to making hits. In his view, a banger aimed at a wide audience needs to retain a certain simplicity: an instantly understandable idea, lines that connect immediately and phrases memorable enough to stick in people’s minds. That does not prevent him from writing more technical or complex material, but he sees those songs as serving a different purpose from a mainstream hit.

The video was directed by itsawrap. Working with a deliberately dark atmosphere, the director places Gazo and Himra inside a dimly lit lounge surrounded by vixens, creating a nocturnal aesthetic that perfectly extends the mood of the track. The filmmaker has recently made a name for himself behind the visuals for Beendo Z‘s J’en parle and, more notably, Seth Gueko‘s Titi Parisien 2, a video that sparked plenty of conversation when it was released.