Toppa Top 10: Poirier’s Francophone Top 10 of 2010

Words by Erin MacLeod, as determined by Erin MacLeod and Ghislain Poirier.

The Toppa Top 10s on LARGE UP thus far have been wide ranging—pan-Caribbean, even—but there’s been one thing missing: songs en français. While it’s not often that countries are grouped as “anglophone,” there’s a definite “francophone” connection, from Montreal to Port au Prince to Dakar, Paris, Abidjan and beyond (and then back again).

Who better than to help LARGE UP with a tropicale top ten than Montreal’s globetrotting selector Ghislain Poirier? The man responsible for connecting dots between tropical music of all types put it this way: “How are the francophone countries linked? It’s very random. But for sure, a song has to be big in France before spreading to the rest. Coupé-décalé is still huge in West African clubs. Gwada and Martinique’s dancehall scene are still fueling France’s dancehall scene…France is the passage obligé for an international francophone hit. ” Same way dancehall can take a trip to New York, Puerto Rico and back to JA, so too, do tunes from across the French Caribbean and the wider francophonie. That’s why number one on the list for 2010 is:

10. Kulu G, “Ou Ja Sav” (Martinique)

Le Martiniquais Kulu G brings the culture on his gentle “Ou Ja Sav.” Someone give the man Don Corleone’s phone number!

9. Timony f. Speedy & Dye, “Dewentalise Mwen” (Guadeloupe)

Missing the sweet hooks of 90s dancehall? Introduce yourself to Guadeloupe’s Timony with “Dewentalise Mwen.” He also did a nice combination with Konshens this past year as well.

8. Magic System, “Ambienceà l’Africaine” (Côte d’Ivoire)

The Ivory Coast’s Magic System brings the incredibly infectious zouglou sound and “Ambienceà l’Africaine” to dancefloors worldwide.

7. Admiral T f. Machel Montano, “Like It’s Carnival” (Haiti/Trinidad)

Admiral T, the inspiration for Krys, demonstrates that soca works just as well in French in this carnival anthem alongside everywhere-man Machel Montano.

6. Obia Le Chef & El Cotola, Le Monde T’Appartient” (Haiti/Montreal)

From Haiti and Chile to Montreal with love is the Dilla-styled hip hop of Obia Le Chef and producer El Cotola. The video for “Le Monde T’Appartient” is as strong as the words cooked up by Obia.

5. Kalash f. Lieutenant, “Pran Pie” (Martinique)

Over to Martinique with Kalash and Lieutenant whose “Pran Pié” combines intensity with a nice, spare riddim.

4. Krys, “Saucisse Son La” (Guadelupe)

If you’ve never heard French dancehall, Guadeloupe’s Krys is the right man to introduce you. He can keep up with Vybz Kartel and Aidonia and the eponymous single from his 2010 album Saucisse Son La is another example of what Krys is capable of.

3. Mr. OK f. Larose, “Yaya” (Haiti/Montreal)

Thanks to Masala’s decision to start releasing music, the world was introduced to Haitian hiphop by way of Montreal with the stylings of Mr. OK. “Men Mwen” is a great tune, but “Yaya” takes the cake.

2. Carimi, “Famn Sa Move” (Haiti)

In LARGE UP’s discussion of the best music coming out of Haiti in 2010, Etienne Côté-Paluck’s choices of “Amba Dekonb” by Tony Mix and “Agrikol Yo Yé” by Mikaben were also big Poirier picks, however the biggest kompa tune in 2010 was arguably Carimi’s anthemic tune.

1. Stromae, “Alors on Danse” (Belgium/Rwanda)

As Poirier puts it, “2010 was the year of Stromae and his worldwide hit ‘Alors on Danse’. It was truly THE francophone hit of the year. And when I say worldwide, it’s obviously in all the francophone countries possible, from a Dakar club where I saw DJs playing the original and remixes, to Montreal clubs and radio. I even did a mash up with it to play at Karnival parties in Montreal – with “Que Viva” feat. Boogat. But when I say worldwide I mean also non-francophone countries. ‘Alors on Danse’ invaded all Europe and there is even a version with that guy Kanye West.” But why was “Alors on danse” so huge? “Maybe because the melody is post-Calabria,” proposes Poirier – after all, “Calabria” was one of the best dancehall tunes in the first decade of this here century. Other reasons? “Maybe because the beat is straight euro-dance from the 90s, maybe because Stromae doesn’t look like a star? If you check the lyrics, it’s very depressive and dark, really unusual for such a hit.”  A quick translation of the first few lines: One who says study says work / One who says work says cash / One who says money says spend / One who says credit says debt / One who says debt says collection / And that says you’re in shit. Sounds like the perfect soundtrack to austerity.

Honorebel mentions: Straight out of Paris, Sexion D’assaut with “Desolé” and the coupé-décalé of Kedjevara.

Post postscript: Over here at LARGE UP headquarters we fucks heavily with the Belgian Congo raps of Baloji–especially this one. Formidable!