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Dub Inc
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Key Information
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Dub Inc (previously known as Dub Incorporation) is a French reggae band from Saint-Étienne, active since 1997. They combine a range of styles, including dancehall, dub, ska and rap. Their music is also influenced by African music with their songs being sung in a mixture of French, English and Kabyle.
The band has released seven studio albums. The first three, Diversité (2003), Dans le décor (2005) and Afrikya (2008) to Dub Incorporation. However, starting with Hors Contrôle (2010), Paradise (2013), So What (2016), and Millions (2019), they shortened their name and credited the albums to Dub Inc.
Rude Boy Story is the first documentary film released about the band.
Members
[edit]- Lead vocals
- Hakim "Bouchkour" Meridja
- Aurélien "Komlan" Zohou
- Lead guitar
- Jérémie Grégeois
- Bass
- Moritz Von Korff
- Keyboards
- Frédéric Peyron
- Idir Derdiche
- Drums & Percussions
- Grégory "Zigo" Mavridorakis
- Management
- Mathieu
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Year | Album | Peak positions | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [1] |
BEL (Wa) [2] |
SWI [3] | |||
| 2003 | Diversité | 141 | — | — |
|
| 2005 | Dans le décor | 61 | — | — |
|
| 2008 | Afrikya | 29 | — | 100 |
|
| 2010 | Hors contrôle | 27 | — | — |
|
| 2013 | Paradise | 181 | 137 | — |
|
| 2016 | So What | 16 [4] |
— | 59 |
|
| 2019 | Millions | — | — | — |
|
| 2022 | Futur | — | — | — | |
- Live albums
| Year | Album | Peak positions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [1] | |||
| 2006 | Dub Inc Live | 104 |
|
| 2015 | Paradise Tour | 150 |
|
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [1] | |||
| 2007 | "Version 1.2." | 91 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Dub Incorporation discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ "Dub Incorporation discography". ultratop.be/fr/. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ "Dub Incorporation discography". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes - SNEP (Week 39, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
External links
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Dub Inc
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History
Formation and early years
Dub Inc was formed in 1998 in Saint-Étienne, France, by a group of high school friends drawn together by their shared passion for music, particularly dub and reggae. The founding members hailed from diverse multicultural backgrounds, including Algerian (Kabyle Berber), Togolese, Greek, North African, West African, and Italian origins, which influenced the band's eclectic sound from the outset. The core seven-member lineup consisted of vocalists Hakim "Bouchkour" Meridja and Aurélien "Komlan" Zohou, bassist Moritz von Korff, keyboardists Idir Derdiche and Frédéric Peyron, guitarist Jérémie Grégeois, and drummer Grégory "Zigo" Mavridorakis, with additional percussion.[7][8][9][2] Originally named Dub Incorporation, reflecting their intent to incorporate diverse musical styles into dub foundations, the band began with local gigs and self-produced demos to hone their reggae-dub fusion. Their early activities centered on high-energy live performances in the industrial heartland of France, where they experimented with blending roots reggae, hip-hop, and African rhythms, often singing in French, English, and Kabyle. Without major label backing, they operated independently, releasing two EPs—Dub Incorporation 1.1 in 1999 and Version 1.2 in 2001—to build grassroots momentum through word-of-mouth and regional tours.[10][1][8] The band's debut studio album, Diversité (2003), marked their first full-length exploration of reggae-rap fusion, featuring collaborations like "Life" with Tiken Jah Fakoly and tracks emphasizing social themes, which helped solidify their experimental style. Followed by Dans le décor in 2005, these releases gradually cultivated a dedicated local following in France amid challenges of limited resources and distribution, as the group self-managed production and promotion on their own label, Diversité. Their independent status during this period fostered a resilient DIY ethos, enabling steady growth through live shows despite the absence of widespread media exposure.[11][8]Breakthrough and name change
In 2004, Dub Incorporation received the FAIR award, a recognition for independent artists that provided professional validation and facilitated improved label deals and increased visibility within the French music scene.[12] This accolade marked a pivotal moment, accelerating the band's momentum after years of grassroots efforts. Building on this, the release of their live album Live 2006 in 2006 captured performances from key festivals and venues, signaling a shift toward broader recognition and solidifying their reputation as a dynamic live act among reggae enthusiasts.[13] The 2008 studio album Afrikya introduced prominent African rhythms through collaborations like the track "Farafina" featuring Bomboro Kosso, drawing initial international attention and expanding their audience beyond France.[14] By 2010, the band officially shortened its name to Dub Inc with the release of Hors Contrôle, an album that reflected their maturation and peaked at number 27 on the French Top Albums chart.[15] This rebranding coincided with entry into major European festival circuits and the launch of initial international tours across Europe and Africa, further establishing their global presence.[3]Recent developments
In 2013, Dub Inc released their album Paradise, which explored global themes such as political revolution and critiques of consumerism through a fusion of reggae, dancehall, and world music elements.[16] The album built on the band's expanding international reach, particularly following their inaugural U.S. East Coast tour in 2011, which introduced their music to new audiences and influenced subsequent creative directions.[17] The band's momentum continued with the 2016 studio album So What, which addressed social issues like exile and inequality, achieving commercial success with a gold certification in France for over 50,000 units sold. This was followed in 2018 by the live album So What (Live Saint-Étienne 2017), featuring performances from their hometown show that experimented with stripped-down arrangements and intimate staging, showcasing the band's evolving live dynamics.[18] By 2019, Dub Inc issued Millions, a collection emphasizing unity and cultural diversity amid rising global tensions, but the album's promotion was curtailed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic just months after release.[19] In response, the band adapted with virtual engagements and released the 2020 acoustic live album Acoustic (Live), capturing unplugged sessions that highlighted resilience during lockdowns and connected with fans remotely.[20] The 2022 studio album Futur marked a forward-looking phase, blending reggae with electronic touches and lyrics promoting hope, unity, and adaptation in an uncertain world, reflecting the band's post-pandemic outlook on resilience and collective progress.[21] Earlier in the decade, the 2012 documentary Rude Boy Story provided behind-the-scenes insight into the band's evolution, chronicling their unconventional path from local roots to global stages.[22] In 2025, Dub Inc released singles "Mémoires" featuring Marcus Gad and "Drapeaux," signaling ongoing creative vitality ahead of new material.[23] The band has since resumed extensive touring, incorporating hybrid formats to navigate post-pandemic challenges while maintaining their commitment to live energy.[24]Musical style and influences
Genres and instrumentation
Dub Inc's music is firmly rooted in reggae, serving as the foundational element of their sound, with heavy dub effects that emphasize instrumental experimentation and spatial depth. The band blends this with ska's uptempo rhythms for lively grooves, dancehall's high-energy toasting and beats for dynamic propulsion, and rap verses that introduce rhythmic spoken-word flows. Algerian raï and broader African influences further enrich their style, creating a hybrid world music approach that transcends traditional reggae boundaries.[25][26][9] Their instrumentation centers on guitar-driven leads that deliver sharp, melodic riffs and solos, paired with bass-heavy dub lines that anchor the low-end with resonant, rolling grooves. Dual keyboards provide atmospheric layers through synth pads and organ swells, enhancing the ethereal quality of their tracks, while a tight rhythm section of drums and percussion drives live dynamics with offbeat accents and polyrhythmic fills. Horns, including trumpet and saxophone, contribute punchy stabs and melodic interludes, adding a brass-infused vitality typical of reggae ensembles.[27][28][29] Over time, Dub Inc's sound has evolved from a raw dub-rap foundation in their initial recordings to later integrations of African raï melodies and subtle electronic elements like synths and vocoders, broadening their sonic palette while maintaining reggae's core. Production techniques draw directly from dub tradition, employing echoes and reverb to create immersive, echoing spaces, alongside remixing practices that deconstruct and rebuild tracks for extended instrumental versions. These methods highlight their commitment to live adaptability and studio innovation, influenced briefly by global reggae pioneers who pioneered such effects.[26][27][9]Themes and lyrics
Dub Inc's lyrics are delivered primarily in French to ensure accessibility for their domestic audience, while incorporating English for international reach and Kabyle, a Berber language from Algeria, to reflect the cultural heritage of vocalist Hakim "Bouchkour" Meridja.[1][8] This multilingual approach underscores the band's commitment to bridging diverse communities through their music.[30] The band's recurring themes center on social justice, anti-racism, immigration, and unity, often drawing from the multicultural fabric of French society.[1] Early works, such as the 2003 album Diversité, emphasize diversity and collective harmony amid societal divisions.[1] In later releases like So What (2016) and Futur (2022), they expand to critique global crises, including economic inequality, environmental pollution, imperialism, and violence, while advocating for resistance and hope.[31][30] These socially conscious narratives denounce intolerance and promote universal values like love and justice.[32][31] Featuring dual lead vocals from Hakim "Bouchkour" Meridja and Aurélien "Komlan" Zohou, Dub Inc's style alternates between rap-infused delivery and melodic singing, fostering a sense of multicultural dialogue that mirrors their thematic focus on unity.[1] Representative tracks like "Rude Boy" from the 2003 album Diversité address urban struggles and temptations in a hostile "Babylone," symbolizing broader societal pressures on marginalized youth. Songs such as "Tout ce qu'ils veulent" further highlight the discrimination faced by immigrants in France, calling for resilience against conformity and exclusion.[33] This lyrical framework not only critiques systemic issues but also envisions a more equitable world through positive, combative messaging.[31]Band members
Current members
Dub Inc's current lineup consists of its seven core members, who have maintained stability since the band's early years.[1][2] Hakim "Bouchkour" Meridja serves as lead vocalist, bringing his Algerian-Kabyle heritage to the group through lyrics sung in Kabyle, a Berber language native to Algeria, alongside English and French.[1][8] Aurélien "Komlan" Zohou is the other lead vocalist, contributing vocals in English, French, and Kabyle, with origins tied to West Africa, specifically Togo.[1][9] Jérémie Grégeois handles lead guitar duties, providing the band's rhythmic and melodic foundations.[1][2] Moritz Von Korff plays bass, delivering the deep, rolling lines central to the group's dub sound.[1][17] Frédéric Peyron and Idir Derdiche share keyboards responsibilities, adding atmospheric and harmonic layers.[1][2] Grégory "Zigo" Mavridorakis manages drums and percussion, driving the band's energetic rhythms.[1][17] This longstanding ensemble's continuity has fostered a cohesive sound blending diverse cultural influences.[34]Formation and stability
Although Dub Inc experienced some lineup changes in its initial years, the current seven-member configuration has been stable since the mid-2000s, with no major departures since then—a rarity in the reggae scene.[31][9] The members' multicultural origins have been instrumental in fostering the band's unique musical fusion, with roots spanning North African (including Algerian Kabyle influences), West African, Greek, and Italian backgrounds, reflecting the diverse fabric of modern France. This ethnic and cultural diversity not only enriches their sound but also underscores their thematic commitment to unity and social harmony.[9][1] Key to their longevity is a shared artistic vision centered on positive, socially conscious messages delivered through collaborative songwriting and performance, which has prevented internal disruptions and allowed for steady artistic growth. Unlike many reggae acts plagued by frequent turnover, Dub Inc's strong group dynamic has enabled deep, uninterrupted collaboration on album production and extensive touring, contributing significantly to their sustained success and evolution over nearly three decades.[31][9]Discography
Studio albums
Dub Inc's studio discography spans eight albums, beginning with their independent debut and evolving into commercially successful releases that have solidified their position in the French reggae scene. Primarily self-produced under the Diversité label with distribution partnerships such as Naïve and Discograph, these recordings blend reggae, dub, and global influences while exploring themes of social diversity, urban struggles, migration, and contemporary issues. Early albums achieved modest sales through grassroots promotion and touring, while later works earned gold certifications (50,000 units) and higher chart placements, reflecting the band's growing audience.[35][36][37][38] The following table summarizes the band's studio albums, including release details, chart performance on French charts (via lescharts.com and acharts.co), and key contextual notes:| Album Title | Release Year | Label/Distributor | Peak Chart Position (France) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diversité | 2003 | Diversité / Naïve | Not charted | Debut independent release with 12 tracks focusing on themes of cultural diversity and social unity; featured collaborations like Tiken Jah Fakoly on "Life."[39] |
| Dans le décor | 2005 | Diversité | Not charted | Follow-up with 13 tracks addressing urban life and societal pressures; modest sales supported by initial touring momentum.[40] |
| Afrikya | 2008 | Naïve | Not charted | 14 tracks incorporating African rhythms and guests like Bomboro Kosso on "Farafina," emphasizing cross-cultural fusion; awarded Best French Reggae Album at Web Reggae Awards.[41][42] |
| Hors Contrôle | 2010 | Discograph | #27 | Marked the band's name shortening to Dub Inc; 15 tracks critiquing social control and inequality, boosting international visibility through European touring.[41][43] |
| Paradise | 2013 | Diversité | #15 | Gold-certified release tying into a global tour across 27 countries; 13 tracks broadening appeal with political commentary on consumerism, as in the title track; praised for assured production and brass-driven reggae.[36][37][44][43] |
| So What | 2016 | Diversité | #21 | Gold-certified and critically acclaimed for its energetic fusion of roots reggae, dancehall, and multilingual lyrics; 14 tracks addressing exile and global unity, described as bordering on perfection in reviews; achieved SNEP gold certification.[36][45][46][47] |
| Millions | 2019 | Diversité | #7 | Explored themes of migration, fake news, and societal excess across 14 tracks; strong chart performance reflecting thematic depth and collaborations like Million Stylez.[48][49][50] |
| Futur | 2022 | Diversité | #64 | Post-pandemic release with 15 tracks incorporating EDM, synthwave, and futuristic soundscapes; emphasized unity and forward-looking messages amid global challenges.[27][51][47] |
| Atlas | 2025 | Diversité | Not released | Upcoming ninth studio album, scheduled for release on November 28, 2025.[52][23] |