Yoan Makangou, better known as Genezio, is 22 years old from Villeneuve-Saint-Georges in the 94 and he genuinely believes French rap is better than American hip hop, like he went on record saying French rappers would "tabasse" their American counterparts in any head-to-head matchup. Bold claim, but when you've got 4.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and you're pioneering a whole new sound by blending Congolese rumba with New Orleans bounce and melodic French rap, maybe you've earned the right to talk wild.
What separates Genezio from the crowded French rap scene is this completely unique sonic palette he's created. His "Bounce Music" series isn't just a clever title, it's an actual movement where he's taking those infectious New Orleans bounce rhythms that normally don't touch French rap and fusing them with the rumba congolaise he grew up hearing from his parents. Add in touches of Brazilian funk, trap, drill, and his distinctively melodic delivery, and you get something that genuinely sounds like nothing else coming out of France right now. Critics keep praising his "recognizable voice" and "experimental approach" because honestly when you hear a Genezio track you know it's him immediately.
His trajectory has been rapid since he started taking rap seriously at thirteen and dropping those early Vibestars freestyles. The "Vibestars" series became his calling card, starting with the pre-season project in 2022, then Saison 1 in February 2023 with features from Leto and MsTungi, followed by Saison 2 in September 2023 which pulled 47 million streams on Spotify and brought in heavy hitters like Dadju, Naza, and Guy2Bezbar. That second season mixed rap with rumba and gospel, showing he's not afraid to push boundaries and pull from his Congolese heritage in ways that feel authentic rather than gimmicky.
"Bounce Music" the album dropped in 2024 and hit number 35 on the SNEP chart, which is solid for someone still establishing themselves, and the Saison 2 follow-up in November 2024 kept the momentum going. His latest project "Les Dents du Bonheur" just came out late November 2025 with 14 tracks, proving he's churning out music at a pace that would exhaust most artists. Opening for Tiakola at La Cigale was a major co-sign that boosted his visibility, and now he's headlining his own shows at venues like La Maroquinerie.
What makes Genezio fascinating beyond the music is how confidently he's carving out his lane. In an interview with Brut he said "I see myself as a rapper who developed singing talents and became an artist" and you can hear that evolution happening in real time. When people listen they should think "who is this crazy person we've never heard anything like this before" and honestly? Mission accomplished.