Will LCK is a rapper from Lille. While in the 1990s Marseille, Paris, and its surrounding suburbs largely shaped the French rap conversation, the map of the scene has been dramatically redrawn since the mid-2010s. Regional cities have stepped forward, bringing their own accents and realities into the spotlight. The North, in particular, can rely on solid figures such as Gradur, ZKR, and of course Will LCK, who has remained active and consistent for years.
The northern artist has just unveiled his new project “7/7”, a record conceived as a statement of intent. Presented in style on Skyrock, surrounded by close collaborators, the project was immediately praised by Fred Musa, who described Will LCK as an “artisan of rap.” The description fits: no trend-chasing, no opportunistic pivots—just a steadfast commitment to raw, uncompromising hip-hop. Influenced by the great lyricists of the golden era, he also draws inspiration from “Distant Relatives”, the symbolic meeting point between Nas, the prince of Queensbridge, and Damian Marley, where consciousness, legacy, and elevation intersect.
Following the release of “7/7”, Will LCK made a strong impact with the video for “Grand H”, featuring Furax Barbarossa. A key figure in France’s independent rap scene, in the lineage of artists like Demi Portion or Davodka, Furax shares the same obsession with precision in writing. Both prioritize lyrical depth over passing trends. In a French rap landscape often driven by new sonic waves and shifting aesthetics, “Grand H” stands as a bold showcase of technique and penmanship.
Will LCK and Furax Barbarossa embody the “Grand H.”
The instrumental is produced by Mehsah, the project’s trusted sonic architect. Producer and rapper move in sync, shaping a cohesive universe. Mehsah recently made waves producing for Djadja & Dinaz on “Tenue de Motard 5”, for Lacrim and Oli on “On s’est trompé de rêve”, and for HMZ and Lacrim with “Pour nos ennemis”. Here, the production remains deliberately stripped-down and classic, offering a raw canvas where both rappers can unleash their bars without distraction:
“I don’t wanna see her anymore / misery’s dancing right in front of me / … /
I rap with my hand on my heart like a hooligan shouting: ‘To arms!’ /
Bite my knuckles, my talent? /
I got no talent / I’m just hungry”
Furax Barbarossa, true to his stance, widens the scope with a more political angle:
“At a time when youth lose themselves in a few seconds of Cyril Hanouna /
Palestine is calling for help, and we turn a deaf ear”
The video, directed by Alexandre Mameli, extends this intensity visually. The artists are seen spitting bars in a stark parking lot setting, almost outside of time, while a parallel storyline unfolds: a young child, filmed from behind, heading to the hospital to visit his father. The staging is understated yet emotionally resonant. Alexandre Mameli recently launched the web series “Le journal de Samy”, whose third episode has just been released. He also directed the video for “Soucis dans la tête” by FRS Taga, further confirming his affinity for grounded, human-centered storytelling.
