Abd al Malik

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You have surely already heard it, this name that resonates between rap, slam, and committed writing: Abd al Malik. Born in Paris on March 14, 1975, he has a path that grabs you by the guts, between an age where everything is at stake and this powerful connection to his Congolese roots.

Frankly, when you discover his story, you immediately feel this particular energy, a mix of poetry and raw strength from experience. Abd al Malik is the guy who grew up in the Neuhof neighborhood in Strasbourg, a place not always gentle, but where youth shapes destinies.

What really surprised me about him is this unlikely mix: a boy from the projects, drawn to literature, who converts to a rap that is unlike any other, between jazz and slam. This imposing figure in the French musical landscape, he earned it through sincerity.

Ah, and his fortune? It is not just material. It is also measured in the intellectual and cultural influence he has managed to impose. His life is a bit like a novel, an epic, a lived testimony, that makes you reflect and move beyond clichés.

Abd al Malik, the man behind the name: origins and public identity

Régis Fayette-Mikano is his real name, but it is under the pseudonym Abd al Malik that he became known. Born in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, son of a high-ranking Congolese official, he spent his early years in Brazzaville before returning to France, where his family settled in Strasbourg.

This guy has never lost himself between his two worlds. His conversion to Sufism, the mystical current of Islam, also enlightens his texts and public speeches. An intelligent, committed, but above all sincere guy. It’s fascinating how much he talks about “living together” without detours or double talk.

His public identity is complex, always crossed by his cultural and spiritual heritage, but also his desire for integration and dialogue. In sum, he embodies something unique in French rap, far from the noisy and often violent.

You can learn more about his journey and his multiple roles as a journalist on Premiere.fr or discover his many news items on platforms like AlloCiné.

A youth journey marked by challenges and transformation

Before becoming the artist and intellectual we know, his youth was marked by struggles. The Neuhof housing project, delinquency, dyslexia… Clearly, it was not won in advance.

I admit it’s crazy to think that this kid who was seen hanging out with not always good ideas eventually managed to earn a double degree in philosophy and literature. Sometimes, meetings, especially with a teacher who believed in him, can change everything.

Literature was his lifeline. A passage through Dante’s Divine Comedy that “made him grow up,” he says. He fought against his difficulties with a mix of love for knowledge and a rage to overcome his destiny.

For the curious, his bio is rich in touching details, and you can discover it all on Babelio or Fnac which trace this crucial turning point.

Abd al Malik: a career between rap, writing, and cinema

His debut on the music scene dates back to 1988, when with his brother and cousin, they founded the group New African Poets. The style? A mix of rap, slam, and jazz, with very deep lyrics. No wonder his second album Gibraltar was a hit, reaching the thirteenth place in the French charts.

All his albums tell a bit of his life, his inner struggle, and his reflections. Scarifications, released in 2015, is a gem produced by Laurent Garnier, with sounds that hit hard without making noise. He is truly an artist who knows how to combine softness and power.

He is also a director, notably with the adaptation of his autobiography Qu’Allah bénisse la France, turned into a film in 2014, and more recently the series 9.3 BB. A complete, multifaceted work, where he bares himself without filter.

You can listen to his unique universe on Deezer or follow his artistic projects on Spectable, to not miss any of his collaborations and releases.

Private life: a love story with four hands and four children

You know what? Since 1999, he has shared his life with the singer Wallen. This couple, solid as a rock, gives another dimension to his career. Together, they have four children, a true modern tribe full of talents.

Their story inspires, as they also create together, notably on the series 9.3 BB, which mixes their two artistic universes. It’s really touching to see this duo, both in real life and on screen.

He often talks about his family with a lot of tenderness and humility, an interesting counterpoint to his public image. He is not just the star rapper, he is also a dad and a husband who takes responsibility.

To dive into this facet, I recommend reading his intimate portrait on Gala, it’s very well written.

Some anecdotes showing a man both humble and committed

  • 🌟 He converted to Sufism, a spiritual path that literally saved him
  • 🎤 In 2007, his collective Béni-Snassen engaged against illiteracy, a strong social fight
  • 🎬 His discovery of Dante and the Divine Comedy was a real personal and artistic turning point
  • 🏆 Knight of Arts and Letters, he was decorated in 2008, a sign of his official recognition
  • 📚 His books, like The War of the Suburbs Will Not Take Place, even received political literature awards
  • 🎧 Surprising collaboration with Moby for a song in 2008, proof that he likes to blur the lines
  • 📺 He stages a play by Albert Camus and creates TV series on TikTok, yes, that’s right

These small things show you an artist who is not content with the stage but really wants to act, touch, awaken.

Recent news and projects of Abd al Malik in 2026

If you follow things a bit, you may have seen his latest series 9.3 BB recently released on france.tv. It explores popular neighborhoods with a real approach of hope and commitment. Not the type to fall into misery pimping, him.

At the same time, Abd al Malik is preparing the release of his latest film Furcy, né libre, which promises to be a major work on the little-known history of slavery in La Réunion. I confess, it promises to be strong and necessary.

At the same time, he continues his musical and literary collaborations, multiplying partnerships with emerging and established artists, so as never to lock himself into a fixed style.

To stay up to date, feel free to regularly check his full profile on Wikipedia fr.wikipedia.org, always well maintained and very complete.

List of key moments that marked Abd al Malik’s career 🎶

  • 🎤 1988: Foundation of the group New African Poets
  • 📖 2004: Publication of his autobiography Qu’Allah bénisse la France
  • 🏅 2007: Victoires de la musique and multiple awards for Gibraltar
  • 🎬 2014: Direction of the film Qu’Allah bénisse la France
  • 🎭 2019: Staging of Les Justes by Albert Camus at Théâtre du Châtelet
  • 📺 2021: Creation of the mini-series Cités broadcast on TikTok
  • 📺 2024: Direction of the series 9.3 BB on france.tv

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