Passi

One of France's most popular rappers, born Passi Balende in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) on December 21, 1972, Passi was a leading member of two generational groups: Ministère A.M.E.R. in the early 1990s with fellow rappers Doc Gynéco and Stomy Bugsy, and Bisso Na Bisso in 1999 with the album Racines. Passi's solo career has enjoyed considerable commercial success, with a string of gold discs to his credit. His albums Les Tentations (1997) and Genèse (2000) both reached No. 4 in the charts, with tracks such as "Je zappe et je mate", "J'entends des mères pleurer" and "Le Monde est à moi". In 2004, in addition to his third album Odyssée, he scored the biggest hit of his career with the duet he shared with Calogero on "Face à la mer " (ranked #3). A diptych, Révolution and Évolution, followed in 2007, while he was on the judging panel for the TV talent show Star Academy. Passi made a comeback in 2013 with the album Ère Afrique, in collaboration with African musicians such as Manu Dibango, Moussier Tombola and Bisso Na Bisso.