It all began with the memorable line from a backing vocalist: “Hey, tonton [uncle], the bags are too heavy!” Following that, the orchestra introduced a cascade of swirling violins, complemented by a traditional percussionist who brought the melody to life with rhythmic beats on his darbuka. Under the spotlight at the 40th edition of France’s premier music awards, the Victoires de la Musique, Rim’K (born Abdelkarim Brahmi), donned sunglasses and an elegant sandy-hued workwear suit, stepped forward to present the distinctive opening of the rap anthem “Tonton du Bled.”
On February 14, this seasoned figure in French rap showcased his legendary track during a musical segment honoring the memory of its talented producer, DJ Mehdi (Mehdi Faveris-Essadi), who tragically passed away at the age of 34 in an accident in 2011. “We had six minutes and 34 seconds to pay tribute to Mehdi, and it was clear that ‘Tonton du Bled’ needed to be included,” shared Thibaut de Longeville, a close friend of DJ Mehdi and the director of the documentary series DJ Mehdi: Made in France (2024), which aired on the French-German public television channel Arte. The nomination, which resulted in a trophy that evening, was a catalyst for this performance. “The symbolic weight was undeniable,” he added.
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As Rim’K held the microphone, a screen behind him showcased footage of his performance from 25 years prior on the same stage. On March 11, 2000, he took the stage with the rap group 113, with whom he gained prominence, to perform “Tonton du Bled” at the awards ceremony. Very few songs have been revisited by their original artists at the Victoires de la Musique. “This year, it feels as though ‘Tonton du Bled’ has been inducted into the French songwriting hall of fame,” remarked Didier Varrod, director of Radio France’s music stations and an unofficial historian of the Victoires de la Musique.