At the beginning of 2024, Kofs made a striking solo comeback with Après Minuit (“After Midnight”), a bold project entirely free of guest features. The Marseille-based rapper delivered a raw, razor-sharp performance, particularly on the track Dans la ville (“In the City”), which channels the gritty energy of his early days. Around the same time, he also released a self-produced web series — a fusion of street-level crime fiction and urban realism — that expands the dark, uncompromising world of the album. This duality between rap and film has followed Kofs, born Foued Nabba, ever since his breakout role in the acclaimed movie Chouf. Several actors from that film return to collaborate on this new visual project.
Now, in 2025, the Marseille MC is paying tribute to his rap forefathers with Mon école (“My School”), set to drop on June 13. This project gathers iconic figures from the golden era of French rap — the 2000s — who inspired him to pick up the mic: Rohff, Kery James, La Fouine, Le Rat Luciano, Youssoupha, Sniper, Psy 4 de la Rime, Sinik, LIM, Alkpote, Seth Gueko, Alibi Montana, Kamelancien, Brasco, El Matador, Six Coups MC, Intouchable, and Kayna Samet. These were the pioneers — often sidelined in their time — who paved the way for what is now called the golden age of French rap. Back then, mainstream charts were dominated by EDM icons like David Guetta, far removed from the urban wave that has since swept through French streaming platforms post-2019.
In J’viens de là (“I Come from There”), Kofs teams up with Dry and Demon One of Intouchable to drop a powerful track rooted in legacy and reverence. A direct nod to Pour ceux (“For Those”) by the legendary Mafia K’1 Fry, the song embraces its heritage with deliberate visual and lyrical references. The original clip, directed by the creative collective Kourtrajmé, becomes a foundational inspiration for this homage.
Kofs and Intouchable reunite on J’viens de là!
Unlike La bonne école by Demi Portion, which also salutes the 2000s rap scene, Mon école avoids falling into nostalgia. J’viens de là is anything but old school. Produced by 71 Beats and Napalm Beats, the track combines modern energy with lyrical weight. 71 Beats, who previously collaborated with Jul on Superstar, also contributed to L’élégance and Mauvais garçon for the massive Classico Organisé project. He’s also known for his work with Marseille’s own Mehdi YZ. Meanwhile, Napalm brings his signature touch, having worked with Bash, Naps, L’Allemand, and Jul. The result is a layered, hard-hitting, and contemporary track — a stylistic reinterpretation of Pour ceux with its own identity.
Kofs delivers some scathing lines:
I dip when the pussy stinks, I leave you bums behind
It’s the girl who gives the go, she seduces before the fire
I screw them all, bitch — whenever you want, we can throw hands
Demon One stays true to form:
My life reeks of drama, yet I say hamdoullah
No complaints, this life is just a stop — don’t forget that
And Dry hits with his trademark bluntness:
We’re not fanatics — the men in my crew only love making money
The video, directed by SlowmProd, is packed with cinematic callbacks. Some scenes mirror Pour ceux shot-for-shot, including the now-iconic kebab-prep scene by OGB, recreated over two decades later. Samir Salah, aka OGB, has just released a powerful memoir titled Je suis venu me dire… (“I Came to Tell Myself…”), adding a literary layer to his musical legacy. The Mafia K’1 Fry collective, forged between Choisy, Orly, and Vitry, remains a cornerstone of French rap. Shot in the 94 district, the video reflects its roots — and SlowmProd, known for his work with DJ Hamida, delivers yet another striking visual achievement.
