Soolking

Born in El Hammamet, in the Algiers region, and raised between Baïnem, Staoueli and family roots in Akbou, Soolking, real name Abderraouf Derradji, develops early a relationship with music and dance before making himself known in Algeria under the name MC Sool within the group Africa Jungle. Settled in France from 2014, he then starts a solo career that blends rap, melodic singing, raï, urban pop and Maghrebin influences, with writing built around direct refrains, danceable rhythms and back-and-forth between French, Arabic and sometimes other Mediterranean sounds. Soolking emerges more widely in 2018 with tracks like Milano, Guérilla and Dalida, and then publishes Fruit du démon the same year. His repertoire then opens to collaborations with artists from French rap, raï and European scenes, such as Dadju, SCH, Ghali, Diplo or Dhurata Dora, accompanying a circulation of his music between France, Algeria and several surrounding Mediterranean countries. Soolking releases Vintage in 2020, then Sans visa in 2022, an album carried notably by Suavemente and Balader with Niska. In 2025, he adds Africa Jungle to his discography, extending a formula where rap, urban chanson and raï heritage intersect in a format conceived as much for the single as for the stage.