When you think of hip-hop's global impact, the name of MC Solaar comes to mind, toute-suite. The French rapper was one of the first hip-hop superstars to emerge outside of the U.S., and he remains one of the best. Solaar's melodic, rapid-fire delivery would sound good in any language, and on his second album 'Prose Combat,' he proved that his artistry had a much longer shelf-life than the acid jazz trend which first brought him to prominence.

Among French MCs, Solaar is generally thought of as a commercially-acceptable, pop rap icon; his occasional forays into social commentary have tended to be overlooked in favor of his habit of dating models. 'Nouveau Western,' however, isn't just the most anthemic track on 'Prose Combat,' it's also one of Solaar's most insightful and realized works ever. Its lyrics relate how the Hollywood Western has penetrated black European culture, creating a cowboy mentality and an unnatural lust for gunplay, which can eventually lead to police intervention, incarceration or death. Even translated into English, Solaar's lyrics are thick with imagery: "Pursued by Smith & Wesson/ Colt, Derringer, Winchester & Remington, he wanders in the plains, proud, lonesome."

Besides the obvious parallels to the black American experience, this song is one of the best examples of rap's ability to translate a universal worldview ever recorded. Its laid-back, downtempo beat highlights Solaar's smooth phrasing and alliterative verses -- it's a chill-out song about a serious subject. And, it should be pointed out, the 'Nouveau Western' mentality Solaar describes has infected other regions as well. For example, Ivan O. Martin, the Jamaican protagonist of 'The Harder they Come,' spends his days watching Clint Eastwood mow down faceless enemies with a gatling gun before turning into a ruthless, violent outlaw. Moreover, in light of what's come after it, 'Nouveau Western' stands as a turning point in global rap culture; its influence has proven nothing short of seminal. Since Solaar first broke the mold, French-African rap has exploded into a massive, still-expanding phenomenon hardly imaginable back in the early '90s when 'Nouveau Western' was first released.

About the Author

Eric Arnold is a freelance writer living in California.