Once known for his musical parodies on YouTube, Theodort is now making waves in the French music scene with his afrobeats and amapiano-infused debut album. This summer, he’s bringing his feel-good energy to festivals across France.
Once a YouTube kid known for his musical parodies, Theodort has transformed into a rising singer and rapper. His debut album, released in 2024 and infused with afrobeats and amapiano sounds, is now lighting up festival stages across France this summer.
“Performing on stage feels a bit like doing theater. Every show is different, even if it’s technically the same set. That’s what makes it so exciting,” says the 22-year-old artist, speaking to AFP this week at the Francofolies music festival in La Rochelle.
Theodort sees clear connections between making music and his early days creating YouTube videos, where it all began for the Lille-born artist of Beninese heritage. In both cases, “I think people just love to receive positive energy,” says the dreadlocked performer with a laid-back style.
After years of creating online content — including a stretch working alongside three other YouTubers in their shared studio in Angers — Theodort made a decisive break in 2024: he deleted his channel to focus solely on music, a passion he had nurtured for years.
“It’s definitely a more vulnerable process. I’m revealing more of myself,” says the young Paris-based artist, who first found fame while still in middle school.
On stage, he feels music takes on “a whole new meaning and a whole new power.” Backed by four musicians and a DJ, Theodort seemed perfectly at ease in front of the Francofolies crowd, who happily danced along to his songs like Toko Dombi and Message audio.
These tracks are part of his gold-certified debut album, Imad, released last year and already counting over 50,000 sales. It includes his biggest hit to date, Wayeh.
“I really focused on finding what would define my sound. I love making music that’s danceable and uplifting,” explains Theodort, who will wrap up his busy festival season at the Golden Coast Festival in Dijon this September.
A Nostalgic Twentysomething
Theodort’s music is deeply rooted in afrobeats, the global fusion of African sounds popularized by international stars like Burna Boy, Oxlade, and Adekunle Gold, and now increasingly embraced by the French hip-hop scene.
He draws particular inspiration from amapiano, a hybrid house genre born in South Africa, known for its dreamy synths and deep grooves.
This mix of influences brings listeners entrancing melodies and infectious rhythms — “music that’s perfect for sunny days and for lifting your mood,” as Theodort puts it.
But the artist, who also ventured into acting with the film Sage-homme (2023) and Franck Gastambide’s Netflix series La Cage (2024), is careful not to let himself be boxed in.
He recently took a creative detour with Été 2015, a three-track EP where he reflects on the sounds and memories of the previous decade, shaped by the rise of French rap heavyweights like SCH, Jul, and PNL.
“Ten years on, I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic about that time,” he says with a smile, acknowledging the creeping sense of getting older in his twenties.
Still, he embraces the evolving music landscape, praising breakout artist Théodora — known for Kongolese sous BBL — whose work is “driven by a thousand different inspirations.”
Thanks to the internet and accessible production tools, “We’re lucky to be able to explore so many things. So why not take advantage of it?” he says enthusiastically.
Yet despite this freedom, Theodort says he still places “huge importance” on the album format, with its intentional tracklist and overarching vision.
“I guess I’m old school about that. But I know it might not last,” he reflects, aware that for his generation, discovery often comes via streaming algorithms or TikTok trends.
By Fanny LATTACH / AFP
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