Despo Rutti | Artist
Pascal Trésor Azu'Simba aka Despo Rutti aka Majster aka Pascal Simba is a Congolese rapper born 1982 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Spending his early life in Kinshasa and Brazzaville, he immigrated to France in 1992. The confrontational francophone MC built his reputation for embracing controversy with unflinchingly outspoken views on a wide range of societal issues, from economics to religion to abuse of authority. He released his first recordings in 1999 "Tout c’que j'n'aurais pas" and "Les reufs meurent" and was featured in a number of rap compilations through producer Fabrice Yahiaoui, eventually signing with label Soldat Sans Grade Records. He released Les sirènes du charbon in November 2006 under the name Despo Rutti, as a double CD mixed by DJ Boudj. It denounced the social inequalities and a protest for expulsion of immigrants. It was followed by another provocative release, Convictions suicidaires, his debut studio album treating taboo subjects of French society including national identity in face of changing immigration trends. In 2016 he released the digital album "Majster" (a Polish word meaning "champion or expert at a specific skill"), a name he would use on other releases. He prepared the materials for his second studio album Les funérailles des tabous in 2012, but put it on hold instead starting a collaboration with rapper Guizmo and Mokless (from Scred Connexion) for a musical project in 2012, that resulted in the issue of the joint EP Jamais 2 sans 3 followed by the studio album Jamais 203. The three acts toured France to promote the releases. The artist is credited with 24 studio albums to-date (under various names) and collaborations with names such as Guizmo, Rehab, Seth Gueko, and Booba. Standout albums include Les sirènes du charbon (2006), Convictions suicidaires (2010), Majster (2016), Dr. Sophie Said (2017), Le Roi des Juifs est noir et il mange chez Al-Haèche (2018), and Who Man (2018). Also recommended is the 2018 compilation Mister George malgré les cris de singes. The music of Despo Rutti is not meant for the faint of heart. His style is raw, poetic, and deeply reflective, often touching on themes like social inequality, identity crisis, and human suffering. He combines African storytelling traditions with the structure and rhythm of French rap, creating songs that feel both local and universal. His lyrics are filled with symbolism, emotion, and moral questioning, making his music stand apart from mainstream trends. From the streets of Kinshasa to the stages of Paris, Despo Rutti has built a legacy rooted in truth, depth, and courage.
Artist Website: wikipedia/Despo_Rutti
Featured Albums: Despo Rutti
Related Artists: Majster, Pascal Simba, Guizmo
