Mac Tyer

Mac Tyer, the rap artist born in Aubervilliers in 1979, first reached French hip-hop audiences as one member of the duo Tandem with MC Mac Kregor. The pair advanced through independent mixtapes and live showcases before delivering their opening album, C'Est Toujours Pour Ceux Qui Savent, in 2005. Work on that project built Mac Tyer’s image as an MC who commands paradox and weaves intricate rhymes. He carried his somber perspective and sharp-edged verses further into the solo debut Patrimoine du Ghetto. While its themes largely circle the hardships and daily struggles of ghetto life, the track list still offered notable high points. Appearances by Booba, Wallen, Sefyu, and Nessbeal supplied substantial star power. The next release, Le Général—titled after one of his frequent aliases—shifted toward overtly political material, shaped in part by the 2005 riots. Through direct commentary on street realities and the social obstacles confronting French Blacks, the 2006 album signaled a turning point in which Mac Tyer applied his lyrical skill to ends beyond entertainment.