Stomy Bugsy came to prominence in the '90s during France's golden age of hip-hop, standing out thanks to his deep-in-the-groove style and whip-smart rhymes. A founding member of the influential Ministère AMER (with Passi), Bugsy gained notoriety when the government cracked down on the group's gangsta lyrics. The controversy propelled his meteoric solo career as he produced a string of successful albums, cementing his place atop France's hip-hop hierarchy. In recent years he's shifted from his street-smart roots to incorporate soul samples and more pop-friendly hooks without compromising his edge.