One of MC Solaar's first claims to fame was the rap he did on a level one French language education tape: "Comment t'appelles-tu?".
MC Solaar's first single, Bouge de là, was a French hit in 1990 that went platinum, as was his first album, Qui Sème le Vent Récolte le Tempo. His second album, Prose Combat, may be his most acclaimed.
As a rapper MC Solaar is known for the complexity and poetry of his songs, which rely on wordplay, lyricism, and philosophical inquiry. The music is based on dance rhythms and sensual grooves. In the English-speaking world, Solaar was signed by London acid jazz label Talkin' Loud and invited to record with British group Urban Species and Guru, a member of the famous and highly-acclaimed New York group Gang Starr.
MC Solaar gained new fans in North America in early 2004, when his 2001 song La Belle Et Le Bad Boy was featured on the final episode of the popular television series Sex and the City. MC Solaar remains best-known outside of France for his work on Guru's Jazzmatazz project and as a guest rapper on the Missy Elliott track All N My Grill. Out of Guru and Solaar's collaboration, the single Le Bien, Le Mal (The Good, The Bad) was a popular Hip Hop/Dance crossover hit receiving playtime on MTV.
Prose Combat
MC Solaar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
L'air du temps du globe, la plèbe et le snob
Apprend surpris que le dilettante pense
A devenir MC Solaar par correspondance
Cool tel un bab, bon comme bob
C.O.B. de la pensée que le gogo baba gobe
Sans blague je m'éclate avec les gags de Dupontel
Je mange de la musique énergétique
Garde dans ma poche l'acolyte du mic
Mon bic pratique un esthétique constat
Une technique unique nommée le prose combat
L'ex de mon ex, n'est pas tex ni mexicain
C'est un mec honnête net poussé par le bien
Bien entendu il se place avec classe
S'efface et fait surface tout se passe par passe, passe
Passe-moi le mic et capte ces mots
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
Mon cerveau est mon stylo le moteur
Paix au système D, respect à MacGyver
Quand, avec une allumette il fait un catamaran
C'est marrant et je rie comme Fanny Ardant
Occasionnellement pourtant mon bic se bat
Avec l'art subtil du prose combat
Cette fois le ciel est beau, je squatte en solo
Sur un banc public près de Campo Formio
Je pense à l'SOS issu de mon esprit
Allô papa tango Charly
Le père de celle qui partagea mon Dunlopillo
Avait des idées proches de celle de J.M. le stylo
Hostile à mon style j'ai filé passé composé
Pour créer le plus que parfait
Elle suit son chemin, je suis le chemin
Tous les chemins mènent à l'homme dit le parchemin
Le papa gaga a pour dada des thèses cacas
Laarso néo-dada fait du prose combat
In the first stanza of MC Solaar's "Prose Combat," the lyrics tell the story of a "tranquil reptile" who swallows the air of the globe, both the common and the elite. The next few lines describe a dilettante who wishes to become MC Solaar by mail-in correspondence, which shows the distinction between genuine MCs and those who want the fame and glory without putting in the hard work.
In the second stanza, the lyrics chat about the singer's favorite comedians, their love of energetic music, and the poetry of their prose, which they compare to a unique fighting style. The next lines mention an ex-partner's father who was hostile to the singer's style, so they moved on to create something more perfect. The final stanza speaks of the singer sitting on a public bench reflecting on their thoughts and those of their father, and the lyric compares their growth to the journey of all humanity.
One of the interesting things about "Prose Combat" is the way the lyrics showcase the distinctive French style of MCing, which is more poetic and wordy than American hip hop. MC Solaar was one of the first French-speaking rappers to gain popularity both in France and internationally, and his music influenced a generation of French rappers.
The song was part of MC Solaar’s second album “Prose Combat” and was produced by Jimmy Jay. Although it was released in 1994, the song still resonates today with its message of individuality and beating the odds.
The song’s refrain “Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo” translates to “Who sows the wind reaps the tempo” in English, tying together themes of reaping what you sow and the power of music.
MC Solaar often incorporates literary references into his lyrics, and this song is no different, with references to Marcel Proust, Jacques Mesrine and Fanny Ardant.
“Prose Combat” is considered one of MC Solaar’s most significant works, and it was awarded the French music award “Victoires de la Musique” in 1995.
The song features a blend of various musical styles, including funk, jazz and soul, which complement MC Solaar’s poetic lyrics.
Some have interpreted the "reptile" mentioned in the first stanza as a reference to the devil, representing the sinful nature of humanity.
MC Solaar's experimentation with poetry and rap led him to become a literary sensation, and his writing was studied in French literature and writing courses.
“Prose Combat” is often cited as a classic example of French hip hop, which evolved from French chanson and pop culture.
There is no clear consensus on the meaning of "Dunlopillo" in the lyrics, with some speculating it is a reference to a type of foam or rubber.
The chords for "Prose Combat" are predominantly jazz chords, including Gm7, C7, and Fmaj7.
Line by Line Meaning
Le reptile tranquille se faufile et gobe
The calm reptile slithers and swallows, taking in the current state of the world, the common people and the upper class.
L'air du temps du globe, la plèbe et le snob
The atmosphere of the world, the masses and the pretentious are all taken in by the reptile.
Apprend surpris que le dilettante pense
The reptile discovers that the amateur thinks they can become MC Solaar through distance learning.
A devenir MC Solaar par correspondance
The amateur believes they can become a rapper like MC Solaar through remote education.
Cool tel un bab, bon comme bob
Cool like a baboon, good like Bob Marley.
C.O.B. de la pensée que le gogo baba gobe
Conscious of the mental food that the foolish gobbles up.
Sans blague je m'éclate avec les gags de Dupontel
No joke, I'm having a blast with the jokes of Dupontel.
Aime au ciné le jeu de la belle Isabelle
I love the acting of the beautiful Isabelle in movies.
Je mange de la musique énergétique
I devour energizing music.
Garde dans ma poche l'acolyte du mic
I keep the microphone's accomplice in my pocket.
Mon bic pratique un esthétique constat
My pen creates an aesthetic observation.
Une technique unique nommée le prose combat
A unique technique that I call 'prose combat.'
L'ex de mon ex, n'est pas tex ni mexicain
My ex's ex is neither from Texas nor Mexico.
C'est un mec honnête net poussé par le bien
He's an honest man, driven by doing good.
Bien entendu il se place avec classe
Of course, he positions himself with elegance.
S'efface et fait surface tout se passe par passe, passe
He fades away and reappears, everything happens in passing moments.
Passe-moi le mic et capte ces mots
Pass me the microphone and capture these words.
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
Whoever sows the wind reaps the tempo.
Mon cerveau est mon stylo le moteur
My brain is my pen, the engine that drives me.
Paix au système D, respect à MacGyver
Peace to the improvisers, respect to MacGyver.
Quand, avec une allumette il fait un catamaran
When he makes a catamaran with a match, it's funny and I laugh like Fanny Ardant.
Occasionnellement pourtant mon bic se bat
Occasionally, however, my pen fights.
Avec l'art subtil du prose combat
Using the subtle art of 'prose combat.'
Cette fois le ciel est beau, je squatte en solo
This time the sky is beautiful, I'm squatting alone.
Sur un banc public près de Campo Formio
On a public bench near Campo Formio.
Je pense à l'SOS issu de mon esprit
I think about the SOS that came from my mind.
Allô papa tango Charly
Hello, Papa Tango Charly.
Le père de celle qui partagea mon Dunlopillo
The father of the woman who shared my bed.
Avait des idées proches de celle de J.M. le stylo
Had ideas similar to those of JM the pen.
Hostile à mon style j'ai filé passé composé
Hostile to my style, I quickly left.
Pour créer le plus que parfait
To create the most perfect outcome.
Elle suit son chemin, je suis le chemin
She follows her path, I am the path.
Tous les chemins mènent à l'homme dit le parchemin
All paths lead to the man, says the parchment.
Le papa gaga a pour dada des thèses cacas
The goofy father enjoys crappy theories.
Laarso néo-dada fait du prose combat
Laarso neo-dada practices 'prose combat.'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christophe Viguier, Claude M'barali
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Piccolo Vincent
La meilleure
La concubine de l'hémoglobine 🥰
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo 💪🏼🐉🥰
Pierre
Lourd 💯🔥💯🔥💯
Ronan Bouger
C'est de la balle !
roseparadou
Loviou ⚡️⚡️⚡️✨🌟🌹
Jérôme GESMY
Respecte!
Zone 4 Free
☀️☀️☀️
NIGAU NIKO
La crème de la crème