It’s the pinnacle of success! With the release of the album “Commando”, Niska joins the elite circle of artists who have achieved diamond certification. Such a feat would have been nearly impossible for a rapper in the 90s, blamed on the “times” or the music consumption habits of that era. Meanwhile, Ninho continues to carve out his “Destin” album by album, starting with “M.I.L.S”. He too reaches this pinnacle with his self-titled project, celebrating his success on a road emblazoned with “DESTIN” in bold white letters—a testament to a journey that hung by “a drop of water”. These two titans of French rap seemed destined to collaborate on a joint album titled “G.O.A.T” (Greatest Of All Time).
After just one week of release, preceded by a series of freestyles ironically titled “Unrappeurçarap”, the album recorded 34,605 total sales across all formats. This remarkable achievement ranks as the third-best opening week performance of the year (as of November). In an interview streamed on Niska’s YouTube channel, the duo revealed that they had been working on this project for nearly a year and a half. However, this timeline also included their respective solo projects. Today, the pair unveils the music video for “Jungle”, a masterful display of their artistic synergy and complementary styles.
Ninho and Niska venture into the “Jungle”!
The instrumental for “Jungle” was crafted by a renowned team of four beatmakers: Nardey, Cristal Viramontes, Davis Lewis, and Scar. Scar, working alongside Nardey, previously made waves with the track “Chop”, which propelled Fresh to victory in the first season of Netflix’s “Nouvelle École”. Nardey has also made a name for himself by producing for Gazo, Alonzo, and ElGrandeToto on the track “Razones”. The production of “Jungle”, undeniably modern, features a rolling bassline that is both energetic and captivating, providing the perfect backdrop for the duo’s hard-hitting punchlines.
During a 1 PM news segment, Ninho was praised for his ability to “capture the emotions of the youth”. He delivers on this with poignant lyrics: “As a kid, I wanted to die for my block, I broke into the building / Settled on the first floor to play the drug dealer.” Meanwhile, Niska, true to his sharp-edged style, adds: “Send the plugs, the contacts (Contacts), we need to stack up (Cash) / Dollars or CFA francs (Yeah), I take the cash and I’m gone (Outta here).” The track perfectly showcases their distinct artistic identities, united by a production that adapts seamlessly to both.
The music video for “Jungle”, shot between Los Angeles and their concert at the Adidas Arena on November 5th, features Ninho and Niska in stunning settings. Directed by Lacrème and Tom Menetrey, this visual is a true masterpiece. Lacrème, known for directing “LVL UP 3” by Ninho, collaborates here with Menetrey, celebrated for his work on the “Unrappeurçarap” series. This video is a testament to the ambition and undeniable presence of these two heavyweights in the French rap scene.
