Passi and Uzi Deliver a Powerful Social Statement on “Tu sais”

In the early 1990s, Passi and Stomy Bugsy helped propel French rap into a new era. Through Ministère A.M.E.R. and the incendiary track “Sacrifice de poulets”, featured on the soundtrack inspired by the cult film “La Haine”, the duo delivered an uncompromising commentary on the tense relationship between France’s working-class neighborhoods and law enforcement. Around the same time, Mathieu Kassovitz‘s masterpiece became the defining portrait of an entire generation before finding a spiritual successor more than twenty years later with “Les Misérables” by Ladj Ly. While artists such as Secteur Ä, IAM, ATK, Fonky Family, NAP, and NTM were laying the foundations of what is now considered the golden age of French rap, life in the country’s housing projects changed very little. Hip-hop, however, became the soundtrack of an entire generation. Today, nearly every one of the ten most-streamed artists on Spotify France comes from a culture that remained marginalized just three decades ago.

Passi remains one of the movement’s true pioneers. With “Les Tentations”, released in the late 1990s, followed by classics such as “Je zappe et je mate”, “Le maton te guette”, “Il fait chaud”, and later “Émeute”, he played a crucial role in bringing French rap into the mainstream. Like Stomy Bugsy, he helped introduce the genre to audiences far beyond its original fan base. Through Bisso Na Bisso, Passi and his Congolese collective also proved remarkably visionary by incorporating African influences long before artists such as MHD, Aya Nakamura, Dadju, and the new wave of Afro-inspired French music turned those sounds into chart-topping staples.

Last April, the rapper released his latest album, “Bande Originale”. The project reaffirms his commitment to lyrical rap through an impressive posse cut bringing together some of the most respected names in French hip-hop: Rocca, Rockin’ Squat, Les Sages Poètes de la Rue, and Akhenaton on the track “Les saigneurs du micro”. Staying true to his artistic DNA, Passi alternates between introspective records and socially conscious songs without ever becoming preachy. “Vol au-dessus”, whose title references the classic film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” starring Jack Nicholson, perfectly illustrates that approach. Today, the rapper continues promoting the album with the music video for “Tu sais”, featuring Uzi. The collaboration bridges two generations over production steeped in 1990s influences, reminding listeners that many of the issues described back then remain just as relevant today.

Passi continues promoting “Bande Originale” with “Tu sais”, featuring Uzi

According to the credits published on Genius, the instrumental was produced by Santaj. The producer has previously collaborated with Turkish artist Anke as well as Cevap, notably on the track “Yalan”. Built around melancholic piano melodies layered over understated drums, the production is elevated by a sung chorus that adds warmth and emotion. Occasional guitar lines reinforce the nostalgic atmosphere, perfectly complementing the song’s message. “Tu sais” paints an honest portrait of life in the streets, where ambition, disappointment, and survival shape everyday existence without ever glorifying that reality.

“Winners look for solutions, losers look for excuses.
For a place on this field, some kill, others submit.
First trophy in ’97, major tour in 2027.
Without papers, you’re only a substitute.
You want the money, you want the respect.”

Shot with an aesthetic inspired by American crime cinema, the music video follows several street stories as they gradually spiral into tragedy. Its realistic storytelling extends the social commentary that Passi has been delivering for more than three decades. Balancing nostalgia with sharp social observation, “Tu sais” reminds us that while generations change, many of the same struggles remain. The video concludes with the announcement of the “Bande Originale Tour 2026”, giving fans the opportunity to see one of the founding fathers of French rap perform both his latest material and the timeless classics that helped shape the genre.