Gaël Faye

Gaël Faye, born on August 6, 1982, is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a singer, rapper, and novelist, with roots tracing back to Rwanda and France. His early life began in Bujumbura, Burundi, where he was raised by a French father and a Rwandan mother. At the age of 13, he relocated to France to flee the Burundian civil conflict, eventually pursuing studies in economics and finance.

Faye's literary debut came with "Small Country" ("Petit Pays"), published in August 2016 by Grasset. The semi-autobiographical novel, which draws from his adolescence during the war, garnered critical acclaim, winning five prestigious literary awards. Its impact extended beyond literature, as it was translated into 36 languages and adapted into a film released in 2020.

In the realm of music, Faye first made his mark in 2010 with the hip-hop album "Milk Coffee and Sugar," a collaboration with Edgar Sekloka. Since then, he has launched a successful solo career, releasing three albums and an EP: "Pili Pili sur un Croissant au Beurre" (2013), "Des fleurs EP" (2014), "Lundi Méchant" (2020), and "Mauve Jacaranda" (2022). Notably, "Lundi Méchant" achieved gold status in 2022. Faye is also a family man, married with two daughters, balancing his artistic endeavors with a fulfilling personal life.