When the Planets Align: Claude MC Solaar Leads United Souls

On April 16th, Claude MC Solaar stopped by Bikini as part of his national tour. For the occasion, I had prepared a little surprise for him: two t-shirts from the United Souls collection, in homage to Amílcar Cabral and Frantz Fanon , major figures in the struggles for liberation and African dignity.

By my side that evening, Dadoo , brother of the heart and member of the legendary group KDD , who had also received a beautiful dedication from Claude MC. Their friendship goes back to the 90s, at the time when conscious rap was making the French scene vibrate. Unfortunately, MC Solaar, a little unwell that evening, was unable to receive us. But fate never does things by halves: we were able to present the gifts to his lifelong friend and sidekick, Bambi , a discreet but essential figure in his career.

So I left, secretly hoping that one day, Claude would wear these creations. Since I was 15, I've been called the "MC Solaar lookalike" - to which I ironically reply that I'm far from having his verve... but there's no doubt that I dance better than him 🤣. A strange but profound artistic and spiritual connection that has always been with me. And yet, I had never had the opportunity to meet this pioneer of French rap. Until the stars finally aligned .

On June 16 , exactly two months later, the Bikini hosted another special evening: the Rose Festival springboard , led by Bigflo & Oli . And who was the honorary president? Claude MC Solaar .

But this time, it wasn't me who went to meet him... it was one of our t-shirts that did it for me. The one of Amílcar Cabral , illustrated by the talented Joy Hanoun , also the author of the Fela Kuti drawing in the collection.

It was Manon , a journalist friend, who told me the news after interviewing Claude for La Dépêche du Midi . She enthusiastically told me how touched he was by the United Souls project, praising this approach which combines fashion and memory, style and commitment , to make the voices of those who fought for justice and freedom resonate in the public space.

Today, it is therefore an honor for me to say that Claude MC Solaar has also joined the great United Souls community . Alongside JoeyStarr, Lou Doillon, Jean-Pascal Zadi, Nathalie Yamb, Felwine Sarr, Ramzy Bedia, Akhenaton & Shurik'n , and many others, he contributes to spreading this simple but powerful idea:
declare his commitment with style .

Thank you so much, Claude, for sharing this message and for thinking of us during your visit to the Rose Festival springboard . I hope that next time it will be face to face, at the Rose Festival 2025 , which will be held from August 29 to 31 in Toulouse .
In the meantime, words and convictions are already creating a bond.

United Souls. Wear the struggle. Share the soul.