Who will succeed Pablo Master, Tonton David, Princess Erika, Pierpoljak, K2R? At present, apart from the short-lived NZH, French roots reggae does not really enjoy the favour of the media. Which does not stop the underground scene from being active. As proof, Mike D'Inca (the Mike of Sinsemilia) has brought together thirty French bands supposed to embody both the next generation and the best of French reggae. A sort of barometer of the current scene, "Reggae d'ici" brings together a few heavyweights (Dub Inc and its reggae-rock, Livin Soul and its groovy nostalgia) but above all young bands short of media limelight.
The intention is laudable, but the result is inevitably uneven. Not that the result is bad, but many tracks lack breath, if not inspiration, to convince. Which does not rule out successes: Mo'Kalamity, Fundé, but also No Named Family, Tikipoon, Bawa... Not forgetting the noted incursion of the Swiss band Inna Crisis. We also see two schools in opposition: the francophiles and the anglophones, not always well versed. This tends to harm lyrics that do not avoid angelism and certain stubborn clichés. The French malaise, some will say. The fact remains that mimicry is decidedly well anchored here.
