1995 was a French rap band founded in 2008 in the southern part of Paris as P.O.S. The name was changed to "1995" in 2010 in reference to the year 1995, considered a "golden year" for French rap. The six-member group is composed of 5 rappers and one producer all coming from the 14th and 15th arrondissements in Paris. 1995 are influenced by the spontaneous and positive vibes from the 1990 French rap.

1995
OriginFrance known as P.O.S
GenresFrench hip hop
Years active2008-2019
MembersAlpha Wann
Areno Jaz
Fonky Flav'
Nekfeu
Sneazzy West
Hologram Lo'

The band name is pronounced in various formats like "Mille neuf cent quatre vingt quinze" or "Dix neuf quatre vingt quinze" or "un, neuf, neuf, cinq" ([ɛ̃ nœf nœf sɛ̃k]) or "un, double neuf, cinq" ([ɛ̃ dublə nœf sɛ̃k]). Despite offers for signing, the band has remained strongly independent[1] through their own "Undoubleneufcinq" label (meaning onedoubleninefive).

Members

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The 6 members of the group are:[2]

  • Alpha Wann - aka Phaal or Philly Phaal
  • Areno Jaz - aka Jupiter Jaz or Darryl Zeuja
  • Fonky Flav' - aka Fonk'
  • Nekfeu - aka Nek le Fennek or Nekflamme
  • Sneazzy West - aka Sneaz' or Sneazzy
  • DJ Lo' - aka Lo' or Hologramme Lo'

The first five are rappers, whereas Lo' is a beatmaker and DJ. The rap group was established by Alpha Wann and Areno Jaz. Later on, it was expanded to include Nekfeu and Sneazzy (who went to the same school as Alpha Wann). Fonky Flav' was met through some Myspace postings and became the producer of 1995's materials.

Career

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After starting at rap competitions and open mic events in their various Paris and provincial venues, they realized the impact of the rap scene. They followed the establishment of various other rap collectives, founders Alpha Wann and Areno Jaz decided to expand P.O.S (literally Porteur Officiel de Sac-à-dos / or Petite Organisation Scred) into a bigger formation paying tribute to the 1990s.

The band released "Dans ta réssoi" that garnered quickly more than 5 [3] million views on YouTube followed by "Hi Haters". They became a constant presence in different battles including the famous Rap Contenders.

Their first EP containing 8 self-produced titles entitled La Source was released in France in June 2011. It reached #23 in the SNEP French official charts.,[4] and #7 in downloads in its first week of release. Their Facebook attracted 130,000 followers.[5] and their YouTube accumulated 12 million views.[6]

Various members also release their own materials and projects like En Sous Marin EP by members Nekfeu and Alpha Wann, a net-EP by Sneazzy, or a mini-LP solo by Areno Jaz titled Alias Darryl Zeuja.

In March 2012, their second EP was released under the title La suite distributed by Universal Music Group in agreement with the band's label. The band embarked on a tour and series of appearances in music festivals to promote the album.[7]

Paris Sud Minute the first album of the collective was released beginning of 2013. It was chosen as "Best Urban Music Album" during the Victoires de la musique the same year.

Discography

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Albums

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Year Album Charts Label Certification
FR
[8]
BEL
(Wa)

[9]
SWI
[10]
2013 Paris Sud Minute 4 21 32 Undoubleneufcinq label /
Polydor
Year Album Charts Label Certification
FR
[8]
2011 La Source (EP) 23 Undoubleneufcinq label
2012 La Suite (EP) 8 Undoubleneufcinq label /
Polydor

Singles

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Year Single Charts Certification Album
FR
[8]
2012 "La Suite" 42 La Suite
2012 "Réel" 63 Paris Sud Minute

Solo projects of members

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(name of member in parentheses) (for details and positions, see discographies of Alpha Wann, Lomepal, Nekfeu (including S-Crew), Sneazzy

  • 2009 : Lowfficieux (Beatmaker : Hologram Lo', rappers : 1995 and other)
  • 2010 : Même Signature (Nekfeu with his other band, S-Crew)
  • 2011 : 5 Majeur (Nekfeu with his other band, 5 Majeur)
  • 2011 : 925 (Beatmaker : DJ Lo' and other, with 3 songs which contains rap )
  • 2011 : #Nothing (Sneazzy)
  • 2011 : En sous-marin (Alpha Wann & Nekfeu)
  • 2012 : Êtes vous prêts? (Sneazzy)
  • 2012 : Alias Darryl Zeuja (Areno Jaz)
  • 2012 : Métamorphose (Nekfeu with his other band, S-Crew)
  • 2012 : Le singe fume sa cigarette (Beatmaker : Hologram Lo', rappers : Lomepal et Caballero)
  • 2013 : Soleil d'hiver (Beatmaker : Hologram Lo', rapper : Georgio)
  • 2013 : Seine Zoo (Nekfeu with his other band, S-Crew)
  • 2013 : Variations (Nekfeu with his other band, 5 Majeur)
  • 2013 : Rue Du Bon Son (Areno Jaz with his other band, X.L.R)
  • 2014 : Alph Lauren (Alpha Wann)
  • 2014 : Jeunes entrepreneurs (Nekfeu, Alpha Wann, Fonky Flav' with L'Entourage)
  • 2014 : Deeplodocus (Hologram Lo')
  • 2014 : InnerCity (Hologram Lo' et Darryl Zeuja)
  • 2015 : Super (Sneazzy West)
  • 2015 : Feu (Nekfeu)
  • 2015 : Lexus (Hologram Lo')
  • 2016 : Alph Lauren II (Alpha Wann & Hologram Lo')
  • 2016 : Destin Liés (Nekfeu with S-Crew)
  • 2016 : Jeep (Hologram Lo')
  • 2016 : Dieu Benisse Supersound (Sneazzy)
  • 2016 : Cyborg (Nekfeu)
  • 2017 : Dieu Benisse Supersound II (Sneazzy)
  • 2017 : Dieu Bénisse Supersound III (Sneazzy)
  • 2018 : Alph Lauren III (Alpha Wann)
  • 2018 : UMLA (Alpha Wann)
  • 2019 : Les Étoiles vagabondes (Nekfeu)
  • 2020 : Nouvo Mode (Sneazzy)
  • 2020 : Chilladelphia (Darryl Zeuja)
  • 2020 : Don Dada Mixtape Vol 1 (Alpha Wann)

Songs / Videos

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  • 2011 : "Flava In Ya Ear" (dir: Le Garage)
  • 2011 : "La Source" (dir: Le Garage)
  • 2011 : "La Flemme" (dir: Le Garage)
  • 2012 : "The Motto Remix" (dir: Le Garage)
  • 2012 : "La Suite" (dir: Le Garage / Syrine Boulanouar)
  • 2012 : "Renégats" (dir: Le Garage / Syrine Boulanouar & Rodolphe Lauga)
  • 2012 : "Bienvenüe" (dir: Kourtrajmé)
  • 2012 : "Flingue Dessus" (dir: Le Garage / Syrine Boulanouar)
  • 2012 : "Freestyle PSM" (dir: Le Garage)
  • 2012 : "Réel" (dir: Le Garage / Syrine Boulanouar)
  • 2012 : "Pétasse Blanche" (dir: Le Garage / Syrine Boulanouar)
  • 2012 : "Bla Bla Bla" (dir: Nicolas Davenel)
Nekfeu
  • 2014 : "Time B.O.M.B" - Nekfeu (dir: GVRCH et Clifto Cream)
  • 2014 : "Egérie" (dir: Dawid Krepski)

References

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  1. ^ Thomas Blondeau (11 July 2011). "1995, le buzz d'un crew rap millésimé". Les Inrockuptibles. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012. (in French)
  2. ^ LovelyRita (30 June 2011). "Le collectif 1995 retourne à La Source du rap sur son premier ep". Fluctuat.net. Archived from the original on 2011-09-02. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Nekfeu ft. Alpha Wann (1995) - Dans Ta Réssoi (prod. Juliano) - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2013-07-02.
  4. ^ "Classement officiel des ventes d'albums en France du 04 juillet au 10 juillet 2011". Chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  5. ^ Stéphanie Binet (14 November 2011). "Le rap s'affranchit des majors grâce à Internet". Le Monde. Retrieved 20 March 2012. (in French)
  6. ^ Gilbert Pytel (17 December 2011). Télérama (ed.). "Génération spontanée". Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Le groupe de rap 1995 en concert: La tournée 2012". Evous.fr. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  8. ^ a b c LesCharts.com: 1995 page
  9. ^ Ultratop.be: 1995 page
  10. ^ Hitparadae.ch: 1995 page