Sexion D'Assaut is a French hip-hop group formed in 2002, and composed of eight rappers from Paris. They are signed to the independent Wati B record label, which is under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment France.
The founding members were L.I.O. Pétrodollars, Adams Diallo, Maska and Lefa. In 2003, it became a collective as Maitre Gims and JR joined in. Throughout its existence, it included about 69 rappers, but set-up changed from time to time. The group distinguishes itself of staying away from "bling bling" that other French rappers have adopted. They also retain the style of old school hip-hop, but keep underground influences and spent almost a decade fostering an underground fanbase before releasing their debut studio album L'école des points vitaux in 2010.
Their album L'école des points vitaux in 2010 went quadruple platinum. The album En attendant l'Apogée: Les Chroniques du 75 Vol. 2 in 2011 and L'Apogée in 2012 both went platinum and diamond respectively.
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Present members
Lefa, also known as L'Homme Mystère, real name Karim Fall, from Senegal. He grew up in the Abbesses neighborhood in the 18e.
Lio Pétrodollars, real name Lionel Dahi, from Ivory Coast. He grew up in place de Clichy.
Maître Gims, also known as le Fléau, real name Gandhi Djuna, from Congo Kinshasa. He grew up in the Arts-et-Métiers neighborhood in 3e arrondissement. He moved later on to 9e arrondissement. He also hides his eyes with sunglasses.
Doomams, also known as l'Insomniaque, real name Mamadou Baldé, from Guinea. He grew up in Val-de-Marne and later in 18e arrondissement. He is frequently seen wearing Ray-Bann sunglasses.
Maska, also known as le Blanc, real name Bastien Vincent, from 9e arrondissement. He is noted as the only white member of the group.
Black Mesrimes also known as Black M and as Gros yeux, real name Alpha Diallo, from Guinée. He grew up in la Rue du Bac (7e arrondissement of Paris) and later on 13e arrondissement
Adams Diallo, also known as Barack Adama, real name Adama Diallo, from Senegal. He grew up in Rochechouart neighborhood, in 9e arrondissement (not a relative of Black M, although both carry the same family name)
JR O Crom, also known as Jeryzoos, real name Karim Ballo, from Mali. He grew up in Arts-et-Métiers, in the 3e arrondissement.
Other personnel
Jiba-Jiba, manager
Dawala, record producer also known as Wati-Boss
Dj HCue, also known as Sauveur des Tropiques, DJ
Wisla, beatmaker.
Sub-Groupings
Sexion d'Assaut saw also subgroupings made up of certain members working together.
Assonances made up of Lefa, Petrodollars, Adams Diallo, Maska and Scrib'R, a sub-grouping that continued until the formation of 3e Prototype
Prototype 3015 made up of Maitre Gims and JR O Crom, that continued until 3e Prototype was formed
Le 3e Prototype, a subgrouping made up of Lefa, Maitre Gims, Barack Adama, Maska and Jeryzoos from 2005 to 2009.
75 Neces'R made up of Scrib-R and many other artists. He later left to concentrate on his solo career and run various other projects.
Assos de Salopards made up of DesDes and R-Mak, who stayed until 2008, then left for solo careers
Controversies
The band was accused of homophobia after one of its principal members Lefa made comments to Nat V, a journalist for International Hip Hop issue dated June 2010, that "being a homosexual is a deviancy and not to be tolerated", sparking a national media scandal. After the comment, the radio station NRJ suspended its "NRJ@School" project with Sexion d'Assaut by which the band would perform in a college or high school and removed many of their singles from its regular playlists. Sexion d'Assaut also had their MTV Europe Music Awards nomination withdrawn for Best French Act. Following the scandal many concert venues also pulled out from the band's tour. In an interview with Les Inrockuptibles, Lefa claimed Nat V had misquoted him. But Nat V soon provided tape recordings of the actual interview. Fédération française des centres LGBT contemplated opening lawsuits but after meeting with the group members, decided to reconsider. An apology followed by the band and a concert that they organised in the name of fighting discrimination.
Doomams, another band member (real name Mamadou Baldé), was tried after a domestic violence affair that happened on 12 September 2010. His girlfriend had called the police in a state of shock claiming she was violently beaten by him. Taken for questioning, he was accused of insulting the officer. Although the girlfriend withdrew the charges, he was still tried and sentenced on 10 November 2010.
Albums
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilation albums
Street albums
2008 : Le Renouveau by 3e Prototype
2009 : L'Écrasement de tête (FR #36)
Mixtapes
2005 : La Terre du Milieu (3e Prototype)
2009 : Les Chroniques du 75 Vol. 1
2010 : T Sourd Ou Quoi? Vol. 1 (DJ HCue)
2011 : Les Chroniques du 75 Vol. 2 FR #3, platinum)
2011 : This is the Remix (L.I.O as Petrodollars)
2012 : Black Shady Vol.1 (by Black Mesrimes)
Maxi
2005 : Le Pacte (by Black Mesrimes with Bakry)
2006 : Pour ceux qui dorment les yeux ouverts (by Maitre Gims)
Net-tape
2009 : Les Chroniques du 75 Vol. 1
DVD
2011 : Les Chroniques du 75 Vol. 2 (FR #3, platinum)
