It’s official: “Oubliez-moi” has officially hit the shelves. A new chapter that further expands the monumental discography of Jul, who has become one of the most essential figures in French music over the years. And as always with the Marseille rapper, the numbers followed immediately. The first midweek estimates have just dropped: according to Générations FM, “Oubliez-moi” has already sold 31,261 units across all formats. A score that gives the project the second biggest opening of the year behind PLK.
For more than a decade, Jul has maintained a release pace that remains almost unmatched in the history of French rap. Between solo albums, surprise drops, and massive collaborative ventures such as “13 Organisé” 1 & 2 and “Le Classico Organisé”, the Marseille artist has built a colossal body of work without ever slowing down. Yet behind the image of a rapper capable of delivering hit after hit at an incredible speed, Jul has never stopped evolving musically.
Often reduced to the famous “sons à la Jul” formula — an expression popularized by Mouloud Achour on the show “Clique” — the rapper continues to prove project after project that he refuses to repeat himself. With “C’est dur d’aimer”, the first music video released from “Oubliez-moi”, Jul already showcased a more melodic and introspective side, carried by guitar-driven melodies with almost gypsy-inspired tones. An artistic risk that sharply contrasts with the rawer energy found in some of his previous records.
And with “Je t’aime”, unveiled alongside the album’s release, the artist pushes this experimental approach even further. The track steps away from the more traditional formulas of his discography to embrace a more emotional and almost romantic atmosphere, where melody takes center stage.
Jul keeps reinventing his sound with “Je t’aime”
Just like on “C’est dur d’aimer”, the instrumental production is handled by Kakou, one of the Marseille rapper’s longtime collaborators. Working alongside Jul since the very beginning, the producer has contributed to several iconic tracks such as “JCVD”, “Mon bébé d’amour”, and “Je suis loin”. On this new production, Kakou leans heavily into Middle Eastern influences through rolling derbouka percussion and airy choir-backed hooks. A musical direction that perfectly complements the rapper’s artistic evolution.
Through this track, Jul delivers a genuine love declaration, in a far more intimate register than usual:
“Viens on se dispute pas la flemme
Après on va s’faire de la peine
Tu l’sais t’es la seule que j’aime
Quand on se parle plus ouais moi j’ai mal”
The visual accompanying the track also stays true to this more emotional atmosphere. Directed by William Thomas, the music video revolves around a wedding where Jul simply appears as a guest, far removed from the extravagant aesthetics often associated with modern rap videos. A stripped-back visual approach that reinforces the authenticity of the song.
Over the years, William Thomas has established himself as one of the most active directors on the French urban scene. He has notably directed standout visuals such as “Parasites” by Jul, “Fiak” by Kerchak, “Adriano” by Niska, and “FTR” by Werenoi and Lil Tjay.
