In 2021, Maes made waves with the release of Réelle Vie 3.0. Before that, he launched a series on social media, recounting his experiences and, most notably, the story of his connection with his team. Then came a shocking turn of events: for reasons still unclear, Maes and his team parted ways under dramatic circumstances. Rumors even surfaced about shootings related to the fallout. In his latest track, Rivoli, the rapper subtly alludes to these incidents:
“C’est pas à l’hôpital, mon pote, que tu vas t’réveiller, on fait parler les matinales de tous les journaux du pays.”
Now based in Dubai, the artist originally from Sevran has been releasing darker and more “nwar” albums, while also evolving his sound. After exploring cloud rap with Pure, Maes transitioned to more intense phases with Les derniers salopards and especially Réelle Vie 3.0. On Omerta and his latest project, La vie continue, he developed a unique style blending Latin-inspired touches with immersive productions, steering clear of conventional club sounds.
Now based in Dubai, the artist has returned with Rivoli, the latest single from La vie continue!
The instrumental composition of Rivoli is crafted by Nino Vella, whom Maes directly acknowledges in the track:
“J’te mens pas, on a ramé pour en arriver là, j’écris diamant en cinq minutes sur une prod’ de Nino Vella.”
A regular collaborator of the Sevran artist, Nino Vella previously produced tracks such as Fetty Wap and Interpol. He has also worked with Eddy de Pretto on Pause, showcasing his versatility across genres. In Rivoli, repetitive guitar notes and subtle arpeggios amplify the dark narrative of Maes, creating an enthralling atmosphere.
With hard-hitting punchlines, the rapper reflects on his life and circumstances:
“C’est qu’en haussant l’ton qu’le chien obéit, j’suis interdit d’détention d’armes, j’suis tombé d’dans comme Obélix.”
He also references the famous Parisian avenue, home to landmarks like the BHV and Samaritaine:
“On croit en Dieu, ses messagers et c’qu’ils ont révélé, j’ai pas vendu mon âme pour acheter des sapes sur rue Rivoli.”
The visually stunning and meticulously crafted video was directed by Hypnoz. This talented director also created the visuals for Sans Boussole by Maes, as well as Brother Mouzone Freestyle by Dinos and Reste Solo by DA Uzi. Hypnoz‘s work elevates the dark and introspective universe of Maes, adding a cinematic dimension to the track.
