These are two seasoned figures of French rap—two trajectories that don’t intersect by chance. They didn’t dominate the same eras, with Seth Gueko emerging before Lacrim, yet the comparison feels natural. On one side, Seth Gueko, aka Professeur Punchline, a sharp lyricist who has spent decades shaping the identity of French rap with remarkable consistency. On the other, Lacrim, embodying a form of street legitimacy whose “street credibility” remains unquestioned. Fresh out of prison, he made an immediate impact, going gold in just ten days with “Corleone”. Even today, R.I.P.R.O sits at the top of the Top Albums chart, driven by an opening week estimated at 15,000 equivalent sales.
Invited by the prestigious newspaper Le Monde, Lacrim sets the record straight with clarity: “My profession isn’t being a robber. I make music.” A statement that sharply contrasts with the image often projected onto him. In reality, the connections between Seth Gueko and Lacrim run deep. The two artists have collaborated multiple times over the years, including T-Max Music (Lacrim feat. Seth Gueko, 2012), On se rattrape (Mister You feat. Lacrim & Seth Gueko, 2012), Paco Rayban (Seth Gueko feat. Lacrim, Mac Tyer, Rim’K, 2013), and Comment on fait (Seth Gueko feat. Lacrim, 2015).
Now reunited in Bangkok, the two rappers deliver “Riposter”, a track that reconnects with the core of their sound: raw, unfiltered rap driven by natural chemistry and undeniable synergy. No unnecessary flexing here—just substance, lived experience, and controlled execution.
Seth Gueko and Lacrim strike hard with “Riposter”
The production is handled by Mehsah, a beatmaker whose credentials speak for themselves. Already recognized for his work with PLK on “ENNA”—including “À la base” and “3 en 1”—he continues to stack solid placements. More recently, he produced “Tenue de Motard 5” for Djadja & Dinaz, as well as “On s’est trompé de rêve” for Lacrim and Oli, and “Pour nos ennemis” by HMZ featuring Lacrim. Comfortable within classic rap frameworks, Mehsah delivers a stripped-down yet effective instrumental here, where every element is precisely placed. It’s no coincidence he’s also involved in Will LCK’s project, currently making waves. The result is a raw, controlled production over which both rappers trade verses effortlessly, echoing the essence of pure rap.
For Seth Gueko:
“The key to success is often the last key on the keyring, even if you’ve got fourteen of them.”
“Your cruelty makes you ugly, your kindness makes you beautiful.”
As for Lacrim:
“You’re surrounded by people you pay, you’ve got no real friends—you know they’ll all f*** you over in the end, no protection.”
The visual, shot in the streets of Bangkok, is directed by TOM RAUT. A still relatively low-profile director, with limited public information available, yet delivering a visual aesthetic that aligns perfectly with the track’s atmosphere.
