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All Music Guide:
A French rap collective with an old-school hip-hop style, Sexion d'Assaut spent a half-decade fostering an underground fan base before making their smash hit major-label album debut with L'École des Points Vitaux in 2010. Hailing from Paris, the collective includes primary members Maître Gims, Lefa, Adams, Maska, JR O Chrome, Black Mesrimes, Doomams, and L.I.O., in addition to numerous secondary members and affiliates. The debut full-length release by Sexion d'Assaut was the underground mixtape La Terre du Milieu (2005), which was released on the group's own label, Wati B. A couple so-called street albums followed, Le Renouveau (2008) and L'Écrasement de Tête (2009), the latter released in association with leading French independent label Because Music. There were also occasional solo releases by some of the group members. Though Sexion d'Assaut had already been releasing full-length recordings for a half-decade, their first major-label effort, 2010's L'École des Points Vitaux, was billed as their proper album debut. Released in association with Sony Music, L'École des Points Vitaux was a blockbuster success that reached number two on the French albums chart and spent months in the Top Five. The album spawned the singles "L'École des Points Vitaux," "Casquette à l'Envers," "Désolé," and "Changement d'Ambiance."
Wikipedia:
Sexion d'Assaut is a French rap group formed in 2002, and composed of rappers from the Paris regions. It is signed to Wati B record label.
The founding members were L.I.O., Adams Diallo, Maska and Lefa. In 2003, it became a collective as Maitre Gims and JR joined in. Throughout its existence, it included about 20 rappers, but set-up changed from time to time. The group distinguishes itself of staying away from "bling bling" that other French rappers have adopted. They also stick to old school of rap, but keep underground influences.
Their album L'école des points vitaux in 2010 went triple platinum. The album En attendant l'Apogée: Les Chroniques du 75 Vol. 2 in 2011 and L'Apogée in 2012 both went platinum.
Members
Present members
Lefa, also known as L'Homme Mystère, real name Karim Fall, from Senegal and Morocco. He grew up in the Abbesses neighborhood in the 18e arrondissement. He frequently used a cap to hide his eyes but now uses sunglasses.L.I.O., also known as Petrodollars, real name Lionel Dahi, from Cote d'Ivoire. He grew up in place de Clichy.Maître Gims, also known as le Fléau, real name Gandhi Djuna, from Congo Kinshasa. He gre up in in Arts-et-Métiers neighborhood in 3e arrondissement. He moved later on to 9e arrondissement. He also hides his eyes with sunglasses.Doomams, also known as l'Insomniaque, real name Mamadou Baldé, from Guinée. He grew up in Val-de-Marne and later in 18e arrondissement. He is frequently seen wearing Ray-Bann sunglasses.Maska, also known as le Blanc, real name Bastien Vincent, from 9e arrondissement. He is noted as the only white member of the group.Black Mesrimes also known as Black M and as Gros yeux, real name Alpha Diallo, from Guinée. He grew up in la Rue du Bac (7e arrondissement of Paris) and later on 13e arrondissementAdams Diallo, also known as Barack Adama, real name Adama Diallo, from Senegal. He grew up in Rochechouart neighborhood, in 9e arrondissement (not a relative of Black M, although both carry the same family name)JR O Crom, also known as Jeryzoos, real name Karim Ballo, from Mali. He grew up in Arts-et-Métiers, in the 3e arrondissement.Other personnel
Jiba-Jiba, managerDawala, producerDj HCue, also known as Saveur des Tropiques, DJWisla, beatmaker.Previous members
Sexion d'Assaut has had many members, at one time as many as 25 members. They may have been solo acts or coming from various bands.
Bynome LyricalAnraye9 BlessM.K.XMakan (at times also part of Prototype 3015 with Maitre Gims and JR O Crom)SarrOsirisMackadamBalistik who left in 2010 and became known as Balistik Masta. He worked with L'Institut a close project to Sexion d'Assaut. Was also in This is the Remix of L.I.O.Sub-Groupings
Sexion d'Assaut saw also subgroupings made up of certain members working together.
Assonances made up of Lefa, Petrodollars, Adams Diallo, Maska and Scrib'R, a sub-grouping that continued until the formation of 3e PrototypePrototype 3015 made up of Maitre Gims and JR O Crom, that continued until 3e Prototype was formedLe 3e Prototype, a subgrouping made up of Lefa, Maitre Gims, Barack Adama, Maska and Jeryzoos from 2005 to 2009.75 Neces'R made up of Scrib-R and many other artists. He latyer left to concentrate on his solo career and run various other projects.Assos de Salopards made up of DesDes and R-Mak, who stayed until 2008, then left for solo careers