Marseille, city of music[s]

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Marseilles is a land of music, where rhythms from all over the world come together through migration and encounters. The voices of the neighbourhoods, lyrical songs and brass notes give birth to a unique musical wealth, reflecting a city that has built its unique artistic identity on its cultural diversity.

A centuries-old love of music

For centuries, Marseille has had an intimate relationship with music. This historic passion is expressed first and foremost in a prestigious setting: theOpéra de Marseille, inaugurated in 1787, is one of the oldest opera houses in France. Conductors and singers of renown have succeeded one another in this centre of creation. Its Belle Époque architecture and remarkable acoustics continue to attract renowned artists from all over the world, and its walls still vibrate to the sound of both the great classics and bold contemporary works.

The musical history of the city of Marseille is also illustrated by the southern operetta, a popular genre par excellence. Between the 1930s and 1950s, the refrains of Vincent Scotto, Henri Alibert and Rellys had everyone in Marseille dancing and singing along. Their tender, mischievous songs, rooted in everyday scenes, reflected a strong local identity.

This taste for the musical word also extended to the theatre and cinema. Marcel Pagnol, although not a musician, gave an essential place to musicality in his works. He collaborated with composers, took great care with the orality of his dialogues, and captured the sounds of Provence like a living memory. Our musical accent, for example, takes on even greater sonority under the pen of the academician.

Even today, this heritage can be heard in the contemporary voices of Marseille, who cultivate a song tinged with accent, carrying truth, rich in emotion and faithful to the singing soul of the city.

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Clara Lafuente

A music scene shaped by cultural cross-fertilisation

Since its foundation, Marseille has been a crossroads of cultures. This constant intermingling has given rise to a unique musical identity, where influences are constantly blending and reinventing themselves.

In the 1980s, the group Massilia Sound System embodied this fusion, blending Jamaican reggae, the Occitan language and electronic rhythms: its songs celebrate Marseille’s diversity, cultivate a spirit of togetherness and advocate unity in the face of social divisions. At the same time, groups like Watcha Clan have explored sounds ranging from gnawa trance to drum and bass, from hip-hop to Balkan brass, reflecting the city’s multiple heritages.

Today, this tradition continues with festivals such as Marsatac, which since 1999 has showcased artists from the hip-hop, electro and African scenes, testifying to Marseille’s musical openness. The Festival Jazz des Cinq Continents, meanwhile, welcomes musicians from all over the world every year, illustrating the city’s open-mindedness.

Through its artists and events, Marseille continues to vibrate to the rhythm of a musical melting pot that reflects its history and diversity.

Marseille, cradle and bastion of French rap

In the 1990s, Marseille became the epicentre of a cross-border musical phenomenon: rap. The group IAM, formed in 1989, established a style, a tone and a commitment. Je danse le Mia, their first hit single released in 1993, was an ironic evocation of party nights in 1980s Marseille. It quickly became a phenomenal hit, staying at the top of the charts for eight weeks in 1994.

This success paved the way for other Marseilles artists. The Fonky Family, formed in 1994, marked the beginnings of French rap in the 1990s and 2000s with emblematic albums such as Si Dieu veut… (1997) and Art de Rue (2001).

The Marseilles rap scene continues to evolve, with artists such as Jul, SCH, Soso Maness and Alonzo continuing the legacy of their elders while imposing their own style. Jul, for example, is recognised as one of the best-selling artists in the history of French rap, with over 3.5 million albums sold.

This effervescence has enabled Marseille to establish itself as a rap capital. Proud of its codes and language, the city continues to influence the French and international music scene.

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Isis MECHERAF

Music in the spotlight at a host of festivals

Marseille celebrates music with a rich calendar of events. From the quays of the port to the perched gardens, each festival showcases a particular stage and atmosphere.

The Fiesta des Suds, a not-to-be-missed autumn event, transforms Marseille into a musical crossroads. This committed festival celebrates world music in all its diversity, blending African, Latin American, Mediterranean and electro rhythms. Each edition brings together artists of international renown and young talent, in a festive and popular atmosphere.

Every summer,the Festival Jazz des Cinq Continents takes over some of the city’s finest heritage sites, including the Palais Longchamp, the Parc du Pharo and the Mucem. Since 2000, it has been bringing together the great names of world jazz and emerging talents in open-air concerts that cross continents and styles. A veritable ode to creativity and improvisation.

Born in 1999,Marsatac is one of the pillars of the electro and hip-hop scene in Europe. Every year it showcases urban and electronic music, from trap to techno and experimental. The festival stands out for its artistic boldness and strong local roots.

Every spring,Le Bon Air transforms the Friche into an open-air dancefloor. With a resolute focus on the most innovative electronic music, it attracts a young and curious audience every year to dance to the sounds of DJs from all over the world. The club spirit blends with a unique industrial and Mediterranean aesthetic.

Babel Music XP, at the crossroads between a professional market and a festival for the general public, puts the spotlight on world music and the talents of tomorrow. Every spring, artists, tour organisers, labels and journalists gather in Marseille to explore emerging trends on the international scene in a friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere.