What makes Cinquième As by MC Solaar notable?

'Cinquième As' solidified MC Solaar's reputation in the global hip-hop scene, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. The album debuted at number one on the French charts and has influenced a generation of French artists, cementing his role in popularizing rap in the French-speaking world. By the time 'Cinquième As' was released in 2001, MC Solaar had already established himself as one of France's leading hip-hop artists, following his breakthrough album 'Prose Combat' in 1994. This release marked a significant moment in his career as it showcased a more mature sound and explored deeper political themes while still retaining his signature playfulness and wordplay.

Who is Cinquième As for?

Cinquième As works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, intricate lyrical explorations and varied intensity throughout.

How many songs are on Cinquième As?

Cinquième As has 20 tracks, running approximately 65 minutes.

Cinquième As

MC Solaar · 2001

65 min · 20 tracks · French hip-hop

A vibrant blend of intricate lyricism, smooth jazz-inflected beats, and socially conscious themes that define French hip-hop.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Solaar pleure — This track combines poignant storytelling with smooth production, showcasing Solaar's lyrical depth and emotional range as he reflects on personal and social issues.
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La Belle et le Bad Boy — Here, Solaar weaves a narrative that juxtaposes romance with street life, blending catchy hooks with incisive commentary on societal expectations.
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RMI — In this track, Solaar tackles themes of poverty and social welfare with sharp wit, highlighting his ability to infuse political discourse into engaging music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyrical composition and unique sound but has some uneven pacing due to bonus tracks.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken word introduction that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that blend intricate rhymes with smooth jazz samples.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response elements, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
The sequencing includes both original and Spanish versions of 'Hasta la vista mi amor', creating a thematic connection between them.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
intricate lyrical explorations
varied intensity throughout
late-night contemplative moods
immersive listening sessions

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Cinquième As' was released in 2001, MC Solaar had already established himself as one of France's leading hip-hop artists, following his breakthrough album 'Prose Combat' in 1994. This release marked a significant moment in his career as it showcased a more mature sound and explored deeper political themes while still retaining his signature playfulness and wordplay.
Stylistic neighbors: IAM· Oxmo Puccino· Soprano