Soprano (rapper)

Saïd M'Roumbaba (French pronunciation: [sa.id ɛmʁumbaba]; born 14 January 1979), better known by his stage name Soprano, is a French rapper, singer-songwriter, and television personality. Influential in the French hip hop scene, Soprano rose to notoriety in the late 1990s as a member of the rap band Psy 4 de la Rime. While in the group, Soprano recorded his solo debut album Puisqu'il Faut Vivre which made the Billboard European Top 100. Two years later, his second album, La Colombe, which included collaborations with numerous artists, was released. In addition to his music career, Soprano has served as a coach on The Voice – La plus belle voix (2019) and The Voice Kids (2018–2020, 2025).

Soprano was born Saïd M'Roumbaba on 14 January 1979 in Marseille. His family was Comorian and practised Muslim faith. His father, Omar, was a handyman on oil tankers and his mother, Zahara, was a housekeeper. He made his debut in French rap in Psy 4 de la Rime, composed of Alonzo and Vincenzo (his cousins) and DJ Sya Styles (his childhood friend).

In 2003, while the Psy 4 de la Rime album, Block Party, was successful, Soprano opened Street Skillz Records with his DJ Mej, Matheo, and Cesare, a rapper and composer also from Marseille. Then, they release the compilations Block Life 1, 2, 3 and 4, on which many new rappers participated. The fourth volume of this compilation included the single "Dernière Chance" by Soprano and Léa Castel, which only achieved success in 2008 when Castel's album was released. The mixtape Psychanalyse avant l'albu was released in 2006, preceding the release of Puisqu'il faut vivre, his first solo album released in 2007. After its release, more than 200,000 copies were sold. The singles "Halla Halla", "À la bien" and "Ferme les yeux et imagine-toi" in duet with Blacko come from the album.

In 2008, Live au Dôme de Marseille was released. It was recorded during the tour following the release of his first album. At the "Year of Classical Music in 2008" ceremony, which rewards French hip-hop artists, Soprano was named "best artist of the year". Puisqu'il faut vivre wins the best album award, and "À la bien" won in the best song category.

On 4 October 2010, Soprano released the album La Colombe through Hostile Records, which ranked first in album sales in France and became a gold record. Three notable singles were featured on the album: "Crazy", "Hiro", and Châteaux de sable.

In 2011, he released the album Le Corbeau, as well as the double album La Colombe et le corbeau which combines his last two albums. C'est ma life, Dopé, Regarde-moi, and Sale Sud Anthem are the singles from the album. Following this, Soprano achieved success with the single "Cherie Coco" with Magic System. He also sings in the song Tranne Te Megamix" with rappers Fabri Fibra, Redman, Marracash, Dargen D'Amico and Entics. He was nominated for the 2012 NRJ Music Awards in the French-speaking group/duo category with the single "C'est ma life" featuring DJ Abdel as well as in 2013 in the same category for the singer "Coup de coeur" featuring Kenza Farah.

Soprano's fourth album, Cosmopolitanie, was released on 13 October 2014. Six singles are featured on the album: "Ils Nous Connaissent Pas", "Cosmo", "Fresh Prince", "Clown", "Millionaire", and "Barman". "Millionaire" and "Barman" are present on the reissue En route vers l'Everest. The album became a gold record one month after its release, then a platinum record a month later, two months after its release. The album is certified diamond record with more than 500,000 sales in December 2016.

Soprano releases his fifth solo album, L'Everest, on 14 October 2016. The album became a gold record in just under a month. It became a platinum record in early December 2016, under two months after its release. In January 2017, the album was double platinum, then triple platinum in April 2017. The album became a diamond record in October 2017, a year after its release. In June 2018, the album had 800,000 copies sold.