BBC - Radio 3 - Awards for World Music 2005

CLOTAIRE K (FRANCE, LEBANON, EGYPT)

Full track details

When it comes to preserving venerable musical traditions, there are two schools of thought. One says that you should embalm and freeze, in the hope that the vapours of time don't corrupt what is supposedly perfect. The other says that the only way to preserve is to innovate. Clotaire K belongs to the latter school.

Clotaire discovered the voluptous trove that is 20th century Middle Eastern music and divas like Oum Khalthoum, Fairouz and Asmahan, relatively late in life, due to the fact that his Lebanese mother and Egyptian father didn't want their boy to visit his relatives in Beirut as long as conflict raged there. So he grew up in comparative oblivion in his parent's adoptive home of Montpelier, southern France, absorbing the music of his peers; rap and rock. At a certain age the sampler took over from the guitar as his instrument of choice and hip hop became his field of dreams.

A year spent in the US, both east and west coast, cemented this devotion to the genre and to mentors like Public Enemy and NWA. But Clotaire's first trip to Beirut, and his eastern roots proved to be equally formative. There he discovered a blood culture that he could be very proud of, with its centuries of history, its music, food, hospitality, cosmopolitan heart, and...surprisingly enough...its tolerant spirit.

After six years of writing, arranging and recording, Clotaire K released "Lebanese" (Nocturne) an album which proved that, in the right hands, the marriage of classic Middle Eastern taarab, the music of ecastasy, and hip hop could be veritably heaven-made. It's a union that has been attempted by many, but never pulled off with such style and intelligence. Indeed, everything about Clotaire K smacks of class, from his sleek b-boy orientalist graphics and promo shots, to the cliche-free and challenging discourse of songs like "Beyrouth Ecrouee", "Maqam" and "Le Criminel".

No doubt it's hard for Clotaire K to make a real mark in that ill-defined no-man's land between hip hop culture and the world music scene, with each side donning their blinkers and judging his work too 'different'. But his growing world-wide coterie of fans prove that there are plenty of people out there prepared to listen, to whom Clotaire K is nothing short of the whizz-kid messiah of global breakbeat culture.

Ivan Chrysler (courtesy of fRoots)

Clotaire K official website

Your Comments

Roula Maalouf-Germany
Just great and unique...... Beaucoup de talent..... When are you coming to Cologne?
Jibril Hamza ahmed Danpullo kl malaysia
best ever live performance seen with intresting ideas.
Richard Wilson, Portland, USA
The recent violence in Lebanon make Clotaire's music more relevant than ever. Don't miss his fantastic website (see link in BBC review above). We're anxiously awaiting some new tracks, Clotaire!
carter england
fascinating unusual the music runs around the head
Johnny M (Radio Alchemy Australia)
After interviewing Clotaire via Phone,i felt happy with what i do...he's the one that reminds you that there's a different side to music,and the whole commercial money making music business in general,BBC and Clotaire i salute you,and hope to see you in OZ.
Saf Bako Danpullo Olynpia WA
I love everything about this award and the music. Allah/God/Kaki bless BBC and long live BCC. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to express my Gratitude. Saf Bako Danpullo
Mijrim Kalem - Beirut
2 Thumbs up Clotaire! Mijrim kalem from the Lebanese rap crew Achekman
mohamed kochen dakar senegal
good to see clotaire rewarded he is genuine, multitalented ,his oud playing is pure joy keep on
Roland Atoui - Bordeaux-FRANCE
He's Excellent ...Clotaire , I Wish you the Best ... You're A big Star ( All lebanese people are proud of you !!!) HOpe to see you SOON in Bordeaux !!!
Greg, France
Very good lyrics, very good Music and a fantastic guy. Have you ever see him on stage!!!
Shazam , Berlin
Big Up, Clotaire u totally deserve this!
Lee,Jung-hwan SOUTH KOREA
Clotaire K.Rap Musician with interesting idea.and the scent of mixture of indigenious one and modern groove always makes me interested in.He's one of them.
christian nseir(lebanon)
Great music.proud of u.
Latifa Paris
I vote for Clotaire K
Graeme, Scotland
Not the best rapper, but excellent, interesting production and ideas.
Vince Millett, Croydon
Clotaire K absolutely rocks! Great hiphop, positive lyrics, a great live show, a great debut album.
Rebeca - Brasil
Clotaire is a wonderful person and a great artist, his shows on Brasil were great and he had a great repercusion.
Neda
I saw Clotaire performing live and he is talented to watch and listen. Carry on Buddy, u got way to go with your talent and voice.
Sevag Baroudjian - Lebanon (France)
Clotaire k is an amazing singer. For me he is already classified among one of the best singers in the world. I hope that he will continue to rise in his career. Thanks a lot Clotaire, you are amazing. See you soon!
Simon, Glasgow Scotland
Clotaire K is wonderful. His music is exciting. Especially live - he's dynamic and he's just got great stage presence. I really love the old samples from legends of Egyptian and Lebanese music and the attempt to marry his cross-cultural roots of France and the Middle East. He's great.
Pat , Lebanon
It's been a while since I have been impressed by a new album as much as I have been with Clotaire's latest. I think he has a special talent in capturing the essence of each music genre he fuses in his songs. He is a master of contradiction and harmony. Styles that are so different work together so well in his hands! Great music, subtle lyrics and an amazing live performance! What else can you ask for?
Jean-Claude ORFALI , Paris
Clotaire K is an entire distinct artist. His songs are rich in music, rhythms and sounds. Very good subjects and powerful words. He has got his own style. On stage, he plays the lute very well, and fascinates his audience with the energy and love he gives in his performance. Bravo. Go ahead Clotaire K.
Rana
Clotaire's music speaks to my heart more than any other artist I've ever heard.
Rita Jabbour ,Lebanon
Clotaire's music is so impressive which no doubt took a lot of dedication and hard work from his part. Some of his songs use plain, simple Lebanese lyrics, but touch upon deep social issues, his style is amazing. I believe that he is a very deep thinker and a very sensitive artist and human being, he weds middle-eastern music with the hip-hop to create an eclectic, delightful music.
Maya Bayoun Lebanon
Best ever life performance seen. So much devotion and love of the work performed. Too true to be just a little band and a great singer, a pitty not very well advertised for. I love his songs, he has te true senses of the reality of what he is reciting and the facts that keep coming back to every eye without noticing them. I tell you Clotaire is a real artist to be able to catch all those details, and put them in a lively and emotional scenario. great job, very well done !!!
ACS-1 - Rennes (France)
Though he is not very famous in France, Clotaire K is one of the best french MC and producer... Punching and beautiful lyrics, hard and soft sound... an explosive mix...
Kate Tatom, New Mexico, USA
Clotaire K is an amazing artist. His mix of languages, cultures, and musical styles give me hope for the future of music. The best part about Clotaire is he's down to earth, still friendly with the everyday stranger. Thanks for all your advice Clotaire. -Kate
push
EXTRA ! A real real real good artist ! Fantastic music for the heart
Charley Humphrey Arizona, USA
Lebanon is one of maybe 3 albums I have that I can listen to over and over without getting tired of it. I first heard Maqam in Zanzibar and bought it immediatly!
George Saad Lebanon
Clotaire K is an outstanding new Talent. He has unfamiliar ideas and unique beats in his music. He managed to join two worlds together in three languages. As an individual he is interesting and I believe he deserves not only a nomination but a true reward. I don't speak for myself but only for several listeners in Lebanon as a fan and as a sales man in the Virgin MegaStore.
yasmine hamdan
for clotaire k, his a fighter
claire kember, brighton
He is ace. A great representative of his country and his cultures.
Anabelle Ajao
Clotaire is handsome, Clotaire is a really good and inspiring musician, Clotaire is faithful..Clotaire is the best !
Sarah O'yek Vancouver, Canada
I think that Clotaire K has been able to incorporate his music with his culture in such an original way that few artists are able to achieve in today's music industry. His originality and creativity are a product of his ingenuity and perseverance. Very few artists are able to accomplish what Clotaire has done. Fantastic!
Thalita - Brazil
Clotaire's music it's one of the best surprises I’ve had! His concert here in Brazil was amazing!!! The crowd loved it and Brazilian rappers too! I'm very glad i had the chance to see him on stage!