Orelsan is a French rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor and film director who has been making waves in the global music scene since his debut album Perdu d’avance in 2009. He is also one half of the rap duo Casseurs Flowters, along with his longtime friend and collaborator Gringe. Orelsan has released four solo albums, the latest being Civilisation in 2021, which was the No.1 selling music album in France for two consecutive years.

Orelsan’s style is characterized by his witty and provocative lyrics, his versatile flow and his ability to mix humor and irony with heavy subjects. He tackles topics such as social issues, personal struggles, relationships, pop culture and politics in his songs, often using metaphors and references to manga, comics and video games. He has been compared to American rap legend Eminem for his skills and influence, but he has also developed his own unique identity and voice in the French rap scene.

Orelsan has also ventured into other artistic fields, such as acting and directing. He starred in and co-directed the 2015 film Comment c’est loin, a comedy based on his rap career with Gringe. He also created and voiced the main character of the animated series Bloqués, which aired on Canal+ from 2015 to 2016. He has won several awards for his music and films, including 10 Victoires de la Musique (the most prestigious music award in France) and a César Award (the equivalent of an Oscar) for Best Original Song.

Orelsan is not only a successful artist, but also a cultural phenomenon and a role model for many young people in France and beyond. He has millions of fans across the world who admire his talent, his authenticity and his vision. He is one of the most influential and important French songwriters and lyricists of his generation, and he has contributed to the popularity and diversity of French rap music globally.

Civilisation is Orelsan’s fourth and most ambitious solo album, released on November 19, 2021. The album consists of 25 tracks, each representing a different aspect of human civilization, such as history, religion, science, art, war, love and death. The album features collaborations with various artists, such as Skread, Stromae, Damso, Lomepal and Vald. The album also includes samples from famous speeches, movies and video games.

The album received critical acclaim from both fans and critics, who praised Orelsan’s creativity, maturity and diversity. The album was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies in France and becoming the first album to be certified double diamond in the country. The album also topped the charts in Belgium, Switzerland and Canada. The album spawned several hit singles, such as La Quête, Jour meilleur, L’odeur de l’essence and Ensemble.

Orelsan began rapping in 2002, when he was studying at the École de management de Normandie in Caen. He started recording songs with his friend Gringe under the name Casseurs Flowters. He also created a Myspace page where he uploaded his songs and gained some popularity online. He caught the attention of the French rap label 7th Magnitude, which signed him in 2008. He then released his first solo album Perdu d’avance in 2009, which was well received by the rap community.

However, Orelsan also faced some controversies for his lyrics, especially for his song Sale pute (Dirty whore), which was accused of being misogynistic and inciting violence against women. The song was banned from radio and TV stations and Orelsan was sued by several feminist associations. He defended himself by saying that the song was a fictional story told from the perspective of a jealous and angry boyfriend and that he did not endorse or condone such behavior. He also said that he respected women and that he had many female fans who understood his artistic expression.