Neg'Marrons

Formed in the early 1990s in Garges‑lès‑Gonesse in the Paris region, Neg'Marrons are part of the French hip‑hop scene, blending rap, reggae and dancehall. The duo, made up of Jacky and Ben‑J, emerged within the Secteur Ä collective, sharing stages with artists like Doc Gynéco and Ärsenik and contributing to the rise of a rap rooted in the realities of working‑class neighborhoods. Neg'Marrons' debut album, "Rue Case Nègres" (1997), established an aesthetic of rap flows, sung choruses and Caribbean influences; "Le Bilan" (2000) and "Neg’Marrons" (2003) continued that mix of social chronicle, party tracks and more introspective songs. With "Les Liens sacrés" (2008), they further explored a register combining French, Creole and slang over productions marked by reggae and dancehall as much as by rap. Present on numerous compilations and collective projects over the years, Neg'Marrons remain associated with an approach to hip‑hop where the Jamaican sound is central.