Since coming to power in 1999, Vladimir Putin has built a storytelling centered on strength, domination, and inflexibility. This perfectly controlled communication strategy relies on a staging where the Russian president appears as an undisputed leader, an almost mythological figure of power and control. This image, widely echoed in Russian and international media, has also crossed cultural boundaries to establish itself in unexpected spheres, particularly in French rap. The latter, especially in its ego trip and gangsta rap branches, has always valued the idea of unshakable strength, imposed and respected authority. Putin, without being a political model for these artists, thus becomes a symbolic reference, just like other powerful figures often mentioned in rap.
But how can we explain this fascination with a leader who, outside the rap circle, is rather supported by the far right in Europe and the United States? This apparent contradiction raises several points of reflection, between the media construction of Vladimir Putin’s character and the way some rappers appropriate his image.
Vladimir Putin: A Storytelling Centered on Power
Since his early years leading Russia, Vladimir Putin has shaped his image with surgical precision. His goal has always been clear: to embody absolute strength. His background in the KGB, the Soviet secret police, immediately granted him an aura of mystery and authority. Once in power, he did not just govern; he staged his own leadership.
Images of Putin shirtless on horseback, practicing judo, piloting a bomber plane, or diving into the Black Sea to retrieve ancient artifacts all illustrate this strategy. Far from being trivial, these stagings are designed to reinforce a myth: that of a virile man, a strategist, insensitive to emotions, and ready to face any adversity.
In his speeches, Putin adopts a similar rhetoric. When he speaks of Russia, he presents it as a besieged fortress, a country that only strong men can protect. He makes a point of positioning himself as the defender of Russian sovereignty, directly opposing the United States and Europe. This binary positioning – strength versus weakness, Russia versus the West, virility versus decadence – allows him to anchor his image in public opinion and to attract admirers beyond the traditional political sphere.
A Convergence with Ego Trip and Gangsta Rap
In French rap, particularly in its ego trip, gangsta, or mafia aspects, strength and domination are omnipresent themes. The idea of commanding respect through power, being untouchable, ruling over a territory without ever yielding to opponents, is at the heart of this musical genre. It is therefore no coincidence that Vladimir Putin is frequently referenced in rap tracks.
Booba, one of the pillars of French rap, directly references him in several songs. In Nougat, he says:
➡ “J’rentre d’un footing avec Vladimir Poutine / T’embrouilles l’pirate, on te soulève, hein” (Booba – Nougat)
Other artists such as Rohff, Kaaris, and SCH use similar references. Alkpote and Cheu-B go even further by naming a track after him:
➡ “J’suis d’humeur à t’viser les jambes, j’suis d’une humeur Vladimir Poutine (Rah)” (File de gauche – SDM)
➡ “J’viens de l’Est comme Poutine (eh)… Vladimir, Vladimir, Vladimir (rah)” (Freestyle Booska Poutine – Tovaritch)
The parallel is clear: these rappers position themselves as ruthless leaders, insensitive to external attacks, adopting the image of a strong-willed leader.
Putin: A Symbol of Exaggerated Masculinity in Rap?
One of the most striking commonalities between Putin’s communication strategy and the imagery of gangsta rap is the emphasis on masculinity. In both spheres, the strong man is virile, impassive, and dominant.
In Airbag, Nitano directly links danger and routine with Putin:
➡ “Changing routine is as dangerous as Putin” (Airbag – Nitano)
Another common point: the role of women in this ultra-masculine universe. In ego trip rap, women are often reduced to objects of desire or status symbols. Putin, for his part, has always promoted a traditional and conservative vision of women’s roles, further reinforcing this proximity between his image and some values of gangsta rap.
Conclusion
The strongman image that Vladimir Putin has built over the years naturally resonates with a segment of French rap, particularly in its ego trip and gangsta rap styles. His name has become a symbol, not of a political project, but of an ideal of power, invincibility, and domination.
However, we can conclude with this assertion from Kofs in the first track he signed under a major label:
“Brother, I don’t understand. Tell me, why are we all sucking up to Putin?”
