Youssoupha Mabiki, better known by his nickname Youssoupha (French pronunciation: ​; born in Kinshasa on 29 August 1979) is a French rapper of Congolese origin.

Contents 1 Early life and career 2 In popular culture 3 Accolades 4 Decorations 5 Discography 5.1 Albums 5.2 Singles 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Early life and career

He was born to a Congolese father, the musician and Congo-Kinshasa political figure Tabu Ley Rochereau and a Senegalese mother. After spending his childhood in Congo-Kinshasa, at the age of 10, he moved to France to live with relatives in Beziers, then Osny, Cergy and Sartrouville. He finished his French baccaleureat at Académie de Versailles with high grades and continued with Cultural Mediation, Communication at Roanne and La Guillotière. After obtaining his master's degree, he consecrated himself to music.

His first album Frères Lumières was a trio with two other friends. They released a maxi single. He was also involved in many musical projects including the album Tendance by the band Bana Kin (with Sinistre Kozi Philo and Mic genie).

His own street DVD was released at end of 2005 as Eternel Recommencement followed in 2006 and was signed to Hostile record label. After working with a number of renowned rappers, he released his debut studio album in March 2007 titled À chaque frère ("To Every Brother") containing collaborations from Diam's, Kool Shen, S'Pi and Mike Génie.

His second album came out in October 2009 called Sur les chemins du retour ("On the Ways of Return"), alongside an international tour. In preparation of his third album, he also released a downloadable Digi-tape En noir et blanc - En attendant Noir Désir ("Black & White, Waiting for Black Desire") where he included some remixes of the album. In January 2012, he released his third studio album Noir désir ("Black Desire") featuring Taipan, Corneille, S-Pi, Sam's, Indila, LFDV and his own father Tabu Ley Rochereau"

In popular culture He took part as songwriting teacher at the French reality television program Popstars. In 2009, French journalist Éric Zemmour opened a lawsuit against him accusing him of public threats for diabolizing the banlieues.[1] Youssoupha responded in an interview with Le Parisien that he advocated non-violence, but was pointing out the contradictions of Zemmour.[2] He also responded with his single "Menace de mort" (meaning Death threat in English) with clips from various television programs quoting anti-immigrant sentiments expressed by media figures. Accolades MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 - Best Francophone (Nominated)[3] Decorations Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (2016)[4] Discography Albums Year Album Charts Certification Notes FR[5] BEL(Fl) BEL(Wa) SWI 2007 À chaque frère 32 — — — FRA: Gold 2009 Sur les chemins du retour 21 — — — FRA: Gold 2011 En noir et blanc - En attendant Noir Désir (Digitape) 117 — — — 2012 Noir Désir 3 — 7 — FRA: Platinum Also known as Noir D**** 2013 On se connaît 138 — — — 2015 NGRTD 4 82 6 12 FRA: Gold Also known as Négritude 2018 Polaroid Experience — — 18[6] 32[6]