La Rumeur

Renowned for their politically subversive and confrontational lyrics, French hip-hop quartet La Rumeur identify themselves as a rap group for black immigrants living in France, rather than a French rap group. Their full-length debut record, 2002's Ombre sur la Mesure, paid homage to the immigrant experiences of their parents' generation. La Rumeur's sophomore album, 2004's Regain de Tension, was potentially the most violent record in French hip-hop's history. Accused of inciting violence against French police, La Rumeur spent significant time and energy in court rather than in the studio, and three years would pass before their next album, Du Coeur à l'Outrage, arrived. Tout Brûle Dèjá was released in 2012, after group member Hame was acquitted of libel charges brought against him by Nicolas Sarkozy. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez