Zaho de Sagazan favorite and many rap and R&B artists named

Singer Zaho de Sagazan is cited in five categories at the Victoires de la Musique which will be held this Friday, February 9. The 2024 edition is also marked by an openness like never before to rap and R&B trends, a way of responding to criticism from oneself.

Nominated in the female revelation, stage revelation, album, original song and audiovisual creation (clip) categories, Zaho de Sagazan is in the lead race for the Victoires de la Musique on Friday February 9.

She “is exceptional, his album is insane“, Vincent Frèrebeau, the new president of Victoires, recently told AFP. “Many are likely to say : we’re going to do like Zaho, but she’s out of the ordinary and not everyone perhaps has her level.”

A mix of Brel, Barbara and Berlin

“It’s pretty amazing, it went quickly, but we had time to see all the stages. First the opening acts, where people didn’t care, and then more and more people singing the songs“, Zaho de Sagazan told AFP.

In just over a year and a half, the 24-year-old young woman, originally from Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), moved from Point Éphémère, a small Parisian venue, to Zenith in the capital, scheduled for mid-March and already complete. His universe first blossomed live, ticking off the “3 Bs”, namely Brel and Barbara for skin-deep lyrics, and Berlin for the electro atmosphere of the city’s clubs.

Rap and R&B have never received so many major nominations at the Victoires de la Musique, but for what verdict? The ceremony takes a test on Friday for these genres that have often been snubbed until now.

Gazo in the category of male artist of the year, Aya Nakamura for female artist, Josman for the album, Meryl for female revelation and stage revelation, Yamê for male revelation, Damso and Bigflo & Oli for the concert, Shay for audiovisual creation (clip): a real turning point.

This time, from the dancehall and Caribbean influences of Meryl – whose streams have more than doubled since her appointment – ​​to the drill, this dark style, of Gazo – almost 9 million monthly listeners on Spotify – the different trends of rap are put in the spotlight.

The ceremony has been accused for years of contempt for the favorite music of young audiences and of a lack of representativeness. A mainstream artist, Orelsan – 12 times winner in history – is only the tree that hides the forest.

“A list that was exclusive for certain styles”

Vincent Frèrebeau, president of Victoires

How can we explain the surge in nominations in 2024? Vincent Frèrebeau, president of Victoires, explains to AFP that he became aware of “things that were wrong“.”Even if we don’t have to sweep away all the past“, Vincent Frèrebeau recognizes that the ceremony suffered”of a list which was exclusionary for certain styles“.

It remains to be seen the verdict on Friday evening: Gazo or Etienne Daho? Aya Nakamura or Véronique Sanson? Josman or Zaho de Sagazan?

The 39th edition will take place live from 9:10 p.m. on France 2 and France Inter, with Léa Salamé and Cyril Féraud presenting, Zazie as honorary president, while Bernard Lavilliers will receive a Victory of Honor.