French rapper Lamine Diakite (a.k.a. Guizmo, after the furry critter in Gremlins) is a maverick freestyler who began rapping in the streets. His debut LP Normal hit in 2011, an album that included the hit “Le premier chagrin du jour” with a sample from Françoise Hardy. His sound, influenced by ‘90s hip-hop legends like Tupac and Notorious B.I.G., pairs confessional lyrics with dark, jazzy samples—as he spits in his low, sensual style over big bouncy beats. His music also includes instrumental tracks as in “Le café” with a muted trumpet over a heavy downtempo kick drum.