Young Lion: the roar of Ivorian rap

Abidjan, Marcory district. Under the tropical heat and the tumult of the streets, a young artist refines his rhymes and rhythms, sculpting a style in his image: hybrid, spiritual, and audacious. His name: Jeune Lion. At only 24 years old, this Franco-Ivorian imposes an artistic vision that transcends genres and continents, and which begins to redefine the place of Côte d'Ivoire on the map of French-speaking rap.

Roots: a musical heritage at the service of innovation

Abidjan's music is a true crossroads of sound. From reggae to ziglibithy to coupé-décalé, every alleyway in the Ivorian capital resonates with sounds as varied as they are electrifying. It is in this bubbling universe that Jeune Lion grew up, absorbing each influence like a sponge.

But he doesn't stop at heritage. His music also borrows from the modern textures of dirty south trap, carried by deep bass and syncopated percussion. These influences blend harmoniously with Afro sounds to create a universe that is uniquely his: a vibration that is both rooted in tradition and resolutely turned towards the future.

The initial roar: “JUDA” and the awakening of a phenomenon

It was in 2021 that Jeune Lion made his first breakthrough with the single “JUDA” . On an airy and percussive production, he reveals a raspy, almost animal voice, which instantly captures attention. The track, both introspective and spiritual, meets with immediate success: more than 100,000 listens in a few weeks.

This is not just a promising start, it is a manifesto. With “JUDA”, Jeune Lion lays the foundations of a style that combines technicality, authenticity and spirituality. His lyrics, imbued with references to Rastafarian culture and the Akan dialect, do not just tell stories: they call for reflection. Who can remain indifferent to lines like: “Lion I am the tsunami, your team and you are just pirates”?

Before Babylon: an ambitious first project

In 2022, he released “Before Babylone Burnt” , a ten-track EP that explores the tensions between modernity and tradition. This project is an initiatory journey, a musical quest where each track reveals a different facet of the artist. The beats are worked, sometimes epic, sometimes minimalist, but always in the service of poignant lyrics.

This first project confirms what “JUDA” hinted at: Jeune Lion is not a simple hope, but a rising star who has already mastered the art of captivating his audience. His ability to mix genres, to inject spiritual elements into a resolutely modern format, makes him a figure apart on the French-speaking rap scene.

“Highly Spiritual”: when the underground goes viral

The year 2023 marks a turning point. With “Highly Spiritual” , his second project, Jeune Lion considerably expands his audience. But it is the single “Soul” that changes everything. This track, carried by a captivating sample and haunting percussions, literally explodes on TikTok. In a few weeks, it exceeds 3 million streams, attracting attention well beyond the Ivorian borders.

This viral success is not just a fluke. “Soul” synthesizes everything that makes Jeune Lion unique: a polished production, an instinctive flow, and an authenticity that touches the heart. Through this song, he breaks the barriers that still hinder West African artists' access to the French-speaking rap scene.

An artist who embodies his era

What sets Jeune Lion apart is his ability to embody the aspirations and paradoxes of his generation. In his lyrics, he speaks of faith, identity, and struggle. But he also celebrates life, resilience, and the power of art as a means of escape. His music is an invitation: to dance, to think, to dream.

Drawing on his Akan roots, he introduces words like “Nyamien” (God) into his choruses, creating a bridge between ancestral spirituality and modern concerns. Inspired by Rastafarian culture, he advocates a universal vision, where each piece becomes a prayer, a celebration.

A promising future for Jeune Lion and Ivorian rap

Today, Jeune Lion is more than an artist: he is an emblematic figure of a Côte d'Ivoire ready to claim its place on the international music scene. With more than 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, he proves that it is possible, even as an independent, to touch the stars.

And he doesn't intend to stop there. With a new EP entitled “S/O DIEU” , he promises to continue to surprise, innovate, and inspire. At 24, he is already an essential voice in French-language rap, but his ambition goes far beyond that. Who knows what the future holds for him?