Sofiane (rapper)

This article is about the French rapper. For the French reality TV personality and singer, see Sofiane (singer).
Sofiane
Background information
Birth nameSofiane Zermani
Also known asFianso, So
Born (1986-07-21) 21 July 1986 (age 38)
Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France
OriginLe Blanc-Mesnil, France, Algérien
GenresFrench rap, trap, gangsta rap
OccupationRapper
Years active2004–present
LabelsSuther Kane, Millenium, Capitol, Universal

Sofiane Zermani (French pronunciation: [sɔfjan zɛʁmani], Arabic: سفيان زرماني; born 21 July 1986) is a French rapper. He is also known as Fianso (pronounced [fjanso]; verlan of his first name). Born in Saint-Denis, Paris Region, he lived in the nearby Stains until age 13 when he moved to Le Blanc-Mesnil.[1][2]

In 2011, he released independently the album Blacklist followed by Blacklist II in 2013. In 2016, he launched a series of videos titled #JeSuisPasséChezSo inviting other less-known rappers to take part. In November 2016, he was signed to Capitol Records, an affiliate of Universal Music France. In January 2017, he released "Ma cité a craqué" featuring Bakyl. The album #JeSuisPasséChezSo, same title as the earlier series has peaked at #2 on SNEP, the French Albums Chart. The album is certified Platinum in May 2017 for selling over 100,000 copies internationally.

In May 2017 Sofiane released the album Bandit saleté ("Filth bandit"), which again was certified platinum. For the music video for the song "Toka" from the album, Sofiane and around 10 of his crew stood in the middle of the A3 autoroute, blocking cars, while Sofiane rapped the song in front of cameras. The filming was done without a permit. In February 2018 he was fined €1,500 and given a suspended sentence of four months in jail for obstructing traffic. At the sentencing, Sofiane apologized for his actions, and said that the decision to film there had come to him in a moment of "bad inspiration".[3]

  1. ^ Quentin Girard (17 February 2017). "Sofiane: La voix désarme". Libération (in French). Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  2. ^ Les InRocks: Qui est Sofiane, le rappeur de Blanc-Mesnil devenu porte-parole malgré lui (in French)
  3. ^ Serre, Myrtille (5 February 2018). "Blocage de l'A3: Fianso condamné à 4 mois de prison avec sursis et 1 500 € d'amende". Agence France Presse.