Joey Starr
Encyclopedia
Joeystarr (real name Didier Morville, born October 27, 1967) is a French rapper
of Martinican
origin, from Saint-Denis
. He co-founded the famous French rap group Suprême NTM
in 1989 along with Kool Shen
.
In 1985, he joined the military at Baden-Baden
, "19 months of hell", an experience which he raps about in his album Authentik.
After the army, he wandered the streets, sleeping in subways and alleys. He discovered drugs and hip-hop, and the latter changed his life.
During his time on the streets, he met another aspiring rapper, Kool Shen
, who was also born in Saint-Denis. In 1988 they formed the group NTM
. When the first single came out in 1989, he could not cash the check, since he could not provide an address or a bank account. The group achieved record sales with their six albums, but split in 1998, only to be reformed on March 13, 2008.
, and the couple appeared on TV shows and promotional events. Joeystarr has two sons, Mathis and Kalil, with his current girlfriend, hip-hop journalist Leïla Dixmier.
Joeystarr has also had many problems with regards to violence. In 1999, he was sentenced to two months in prison for physically harassing a stewardess http://www.humanite.fr/1999-02-25_Cultures_LE-RAPPEUR-DE-NTM-FAIT-APPEL-DE. In 2003, he was condemned for animal brutality for hitting a monkey on national television, and was heavily criticized in the press and by his fans.
French hip hop
French hip hop is the hip hop music style which was developed in France, and is considered the second worldwide hip hop scene after the U.S....
of Martinican
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
origin, from Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Saint-Denis is a sous-préfecture of the Seine-Saint-Denis département, being the seat of the Arrondissement of Saint-Denis....
. He co-founded the famous French rap group Suprême NTM
Suprême NTM
Suprême NTM is a French hip hop group formed in 1989 in the Seine-Saint-Denis département. The group comprises rappers Joey Starr and Kool Shen...
in 1989 along with Kool Shen
Kool Shen
Bruno Lopes, alias Kool Shen is a French rapper, with Portuguese origins. He is also a break dancer and a graffiti artist. He is a co-founder of Suprême NTM and one of the major figures of French rap. He featured on Enhancer's album "Electrochoc" in the song "Hot"...
.
Childhood and upbringing
Joeystarr had a difficult childhood, having been raised by his violent father until he turned 18. He was taken from his mother when he was five years old, and only saw her again 18 years later. He tells of a time when his father killed his pet rabbit and made him eat it.In 1985, he joined the military at Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
, "19 months of hell", an experience which he raps about in his album Authentik.
After the army, he wandered the streets, sleeping in subways and alleys. He discovered drugs and hip-hop, and the latter changed his life.
NTM
Kool Shen
Bruno Lopes, alias Kool Shen is a French rapper, with Portuguese origins. He is also a break dancer and a graffiti artist. He is a co-founder of Suprême NTM and one of the major figures of French rap. He featured on Enhancer's album "Electrochoc" in the song "Hot"...
, who was also born in Saint-Denis. In 1988 they formed the group NTM
Suprême NTM
Suprême NTM is a French hip hop group formed in 1989 in the Seine-Saint-Denis département. The group comprises rappers Joey Starr and Kool Shen...
. When the first single came out in 1989, he could not cash the check, since he could not provide an address or a bank account. The group achieved record sales with their six albums, but split in 1998, only to be reformed on March 13, 2008.
Personal life
Joeystarr had an infamous romantic liaison with French actress Béatrice DalleBéatrice Dalle
-Biography:Dalle was born in Brest, Finistère, France, as Béatrice Cabarrou. In 1985 she married the painter Jean-François Dalle but they divorced in 1988....
, and the couple appeared on TV shows and promotional events. Joeystarr has two sons, Mathis and Kalil, with his current girlfriend, hip-hop journalist Leïla Dixmier.
Joeystarr has also had many problems with regards to violence. In 1999, he was sentenced to two months in prison for physically harassing a stewardess http://www.humanite.fr/1999-02-25_Cultures_LE-RAPPEUR-DE-NTM-FAIT-APPEL-DE. In 2003, he was condemned for animal brutality for hitting a monkey on national television, and was heavily criticized in the press and by his fans.