Shtar Academy

A French rap group made up of prisoners in detention, Shtar Academy takes its name from the slang word "shtar" (prison) and refers to the TV talent show Star Academy. Made up of rappers Badri, Malik and Mirak, it was formed in 2012 at Luynes prison, near Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), on the initiative of DJ Mouloud Mansouri. Aided in writing and producing by prominent rappers such as Kery James, La Fouine, Soprano, Médine and others, Shtar Academy recorded a first homonymous album released in 2014. Released shortly before as the first single, a cover of the track "Les Portes du pénitencier", sees contributions from Soprano, Nekfeu, Psy4 de la Rime, Alonzo and Némir. Several years passed before new tracks were released in 2022, as a prelude to the second album, Shtar Academy (Saison 2), featuring guest appearances by Rim'K, Da Uzi, ZKR, S.Pri Noir, Leto, Heuss l'Enfoiré, Rémy and Sofiane. The album reached 123rd position in the official SNEP sales and listening rankings.