Cinquième As
Encyclopedia
Cinquième As was the fifth studio album by MC Solaar
released in 2001. It is slightly different than his previous works because of a stronger emphasis on a string background. The album gained exposure in the United States after "La Belle et le Bad Boy
" was played on an episode of Sex and the City
. Musically, the album features more R&B themes featuring a layering of a female voice on a few tracks, and it is especially notable and true to the MC Solaar character which is strong emotion expressed in the delivery and lyrics. The album pays tribute to where he grew up, Senegal
. He uses the album to condemn the role of the World Bank
in developing nations. This is most apparent on the track "Les Colonies," where the lyrics state, "Dans cette ère de négoce où ne vivent que les big boss/ Rentabilité - instabilité - imbécillité/ N'ont fait qu'augmenter les taux de mortalité," meaning, "In this era of trade where only the big bosses live/ Profitability - instability - imbecility/ Have done nothing but increase rates of mortality," referring to policies of the International Monetary Fund
and World Bank
.
MC Solaar also discusses the condition of African immigrants in France
. He himself migrated with his family to the banlieues of Paris as a teenager, and he talks about this experience in the song "Leve-toi et rap". MC Solaar
's message is seen throughout the lyrics and the visual design of the album. The album cover is a picture of a group of men, including the artist himself, all naked from the waist up, as if trying to convey an image of slaves about to embark on a slave ship
. However, upon taking a closer look, it appears that the men are African wrestlers. The theme of wrestling and fighters pays homage to the African presence in France
.
MC Solaar
MC Solaar is a francophone hip hop and rap artist. He is one of the most internationally popular and influential French rappers....
released in 2001. It is slightly different than his previous works because of a stronger emphasis on a string background. The album gained exposure in the United States after "La Belle et le Bad Boy
La Belle et le Bad Boy
"La Belle et le Bad Boy" is the seventh song on the album Cinquième As by the French Hip hop artist MC Solaar and the only single released in America. The track's instrumental was produced by Hassan Ansari....
" was played on an episode of Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
. Musically, the album features more R&B themes featuring a layering of a female voice on a few tracks, and it is especially notable and true to the MC Solaar character which is strong emotion expressed in the delivery and lyrics. The album pays tribute to where he grew up, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. He uses the album to condemn the role of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
in developing nations. This is most apparent on the track "Les Colonies," where the lyrics state, "Dans cette ère de négoce où ne vivent que les big boss/ Rentabilité - instabilité - imbécillité/ N'ont fait qu'augmenter les taux de mortalité," meaning, "In this era of trade where only the big bosses live/ Profitability - instability - imbecility/ Have done nothing but increase rates of mortality," referring to policies of the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
and World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
.
MC Solaar also discusses the condition of African immigrants in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He himself migrated with his family to the banlieues of Paris as a teenager, and he talks about this experience in the song "Leve-toi et rap". MC Solaar
MC Solaar
MC Solaar is a francophone hip hop and rap artist. He is one of the most internationally popular and influential French rappers....
's message is seen throughout the lyrics and the visual design of the album. The album cover is a picture of a group of men, including the artist himself, all naked from the waist up, as if trying to convey an image of slaves about to embark on a slave ship
Slave ship
Slave ships were large cargo ships specially converted for the purpose of transporting slaves, especially newly purchased African slaves to Americas....
. However, upon taking a closer look, it appears that the men are African wrestlers. The theme of wrestling and fighters pays homage to the African presence in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Track listing
- Introdiction – 1:53
- "Solaar PleureSolaar Pleure"Solaar Pleure" is the second song on the 2001 album Cinquième As by the french Hip hop artist MC Solaar and the first single. The song is dubbed over in English at the close of the album...
" – 4:57 - "Lève-Toi et Rap" – 3:29
- "Les Colonies" – 4:01
- "Hasta la vista mi amor!Hasta la vista (song)"Hasta la vista" is a 2001 song recorded by the hip hop artist MC Solaar. It was the second single from his sixth studio album, Cinquième As...
" (intro) – 0:15 - "Hasta la vista mi amor!" – 3:23
- "La Belle et le Bad BoyLa Belle et le Bad Boy"La Belle et le Bad Boy" is the seventh song on the album Cinquième As by the French Hip hop artist MC Solaar and the only single released in America. The track's instrumental was produced by Hassan Ansari....
" – 3:12 - "La La La, La" – 3:51
- "Arkansas" – 1:39
- "Baby Love" – 4:07
- "Dégâts collatéraux" – 4:00
- "RMI" – 4:19
- "C'est ça que les gens veulent" (feat. 9respect) – 4:05
- "L'aigle ne chasse pas les mouches" – 3:12
- "Hiphopaloorap" (feat. Don Xeré Delavega) – 1:45
- "Le Cinquième As" – 3:48
- "Playmate" – 3:02
- "L'homme qui voulait 3 milliards" (feat. Bambi Cruz) – 3:03
- "Si je meurs ce soir" (feat. Black Jack) – 3:59
- "Samedi Soir" (hidden track) – 2:21