With the release of his new album, Voir la mer (See the Sea) , Grand Corps Malade has delivered a very strong stance on the evolution of French society. Invited by Anne-Sophie Lapix, the slam poet expressed his concern about what he describes as a rise in racism in France . "I'm talking about this growing and unashamed racism. I can't get over this evolution in my country. I find it very worrying ," he declared.
"I can't get over this evolution in my country."
In this excerpt, Grand Corps Malade does not name any specific political party or individual. His remarks focus more broadly on the climate he observes in France. This concern is expressed at a time when issues related to racism regularly dominate public debate, with controversies ranging from one to another, such as the recent racist insults directed at Léon Marchand after his refusal to discuss politics.
Even the very definitions of racism give rise to public disagreements. The controversy surrounding the expression "dirty white" resurfaced after statements by Rokhaya Diallo, who refused to classify this expression as a racist insult.
Grand Corps Malade places French society at the heart of his concerns
With this statement, Grand Corps Malade returns to a subject he regularly addresses in his lyrics: French society, its fractures, the relationships between individuals and the transformations he observes around him.
This time, his concern is expressed directly. "I can't get over this development in my country," he insists, before concluding: "I find it very worrying." This is his personal assessment of the French situation, expressed during the interview.
The issue of racism remains particularly debated in France, including its extent, its different forms, and its possible presence within institutions. Laurent Nuñez notably stated that "there is no racism in the police or the gendarmerie ," while distinguishing this position from the existence of individual racist behaviors.
His new album, Voir la mer , is released this Friday, September 18th.
