Freeman at his best!
Al | Boston, USA | 03/12/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"He started as a dancer of IAM than drop his first lyrics on "Un bon son brut pour les truands" of the album "L'ecole du Micro d'Argent". But Freeman best work was reserved for his solo album. With his friend(and 'compatriote') Karim le Roi, he gives us a dark picture of his life, the french ghetto and his way to the top. This is a real sad album but the tracks are very great. Eventhough his accent make his words hard to understand, we can feel that Freeman is rapping from his heart as he describe life in the "Cote Obscur"(dark side) of France in "L'Palais de Justice" the first track. His collaboration with Khaled on "Bladi" is a pure chef-d'oeuvre, a song worth listening over and over. In "Le Voile du Silence" he's describing the hardnock life of an algerian girl from Alger to France, a dedication to his sisters. Then it's hard not to fall in love with the great sound of "La terre n'est pas mon chez moi" where he's explaining his religious beliefs(islam). "Le Passe Reste" with Oxmo and Pit Baccardi is a real reminder of where they come from and how they will never forget that. Even when he's describing his love("Elle Chienne"), Freeman is very hard and dark on his lyrics "God gives meat only to those who have no teeth". Finally the only upbeat song of the album is "C'est Notre Hip-Hop" featuring his friends from IAM(Akhenaton and Shurik'n) and other rappers like Faf la Rage. A great song.This album is a great album great work but as I said if you're looking for party songs look elsewhere!"
THE "COTE OBSCUR" OF FRANCE
CARLOS ESTRADA | Glendale, CA United States | 09/18/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Freeman's first solo album along with K.Rhyme le Roi is excellent. Freeman has shown his talents with IAM (most particularly "L'Ecole du Micro D'Argent"), and displays it well with L'Palais de Justice. He describes his life in the 'Cote Obscur' (dark side) of France. This album is deeply emotional and sad, but well worked with K.Rhyme le Roi. Check out "C'est notre hip-hop" with Akhenaton, Shurik'n, Faf Larage, Sista Micky. "La terre n'est pas mon chez moi" where he talks about his religous beliefs, and "L'Palais de Justice". All in all, this is a great album by Freeman.
Any comments about French Rap/Hip-Hop, please e-mail me"
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1