The Caen rapper won in the three categories where he was nominated. Stromae, if he won only two trophies, leaves with the most coveted.
The Victoires de la Musique 2023 awarded their annual prizes… and singled out a big winner. With three trophies, Orelsan is the most rewarded artist of this evening, which took place at the musical Seine in Boulogne-Billancourt. He is followed by Angèle and Stromae, two Victories each.
The 40-year-old rapper won in all the categories where he was nominated: concert, original song and audiovisual creation. It’s his piece The questfrom his latest album Civilization and certified single diamond, which allowed him to win the last two.
The return of Stromae, who reconnected with the public in 2022 after many years of absence, was also welcomed. The Belgian singer received two of the most coveted Victories of the evening: that of male artist and album of the year for his disc Multitude.
Angèle completes the podium of singers rewarded several times during the evening, with Victories for female artist and most streamed album of the year, thanks to her album Nonante-Cinq.
An air of deja vu that does not dissipate
This leading trio is not likely to appease the critics who weigh on the Victoires de la Musique, accused of always highlighting the same artists for a few years. Orelsan, who had already achieved a hat-trick last year, now has 12 Victories in total. That is two more than Johnny Hallyday and Alain Souchon, despite much longer careers, and almost as much as the two record-holders of the program, Alain Bashung and M (13 Victories each). Angèle, for her part, has won five wins since her first album, released just five years ago.
Calogero, honorary president of this 38th ceremony, also seemed to mention these criticisms in his introductory speech… and to side with them: “We don’t lock artists in, we don’t shape them” , he said, urging decision-makers in the music industry to unearth more new talent.
The emotion of Serge Lama, present for a “last time”
Two moving moments punctuated the evening. The first is that of the Victory of Honor awarded to Serge Lama for his entire career. “This may be the last time I see an audience cheering me on,” said the man who announced his retirement a few months ago.
“My body can’t keep up anymore,” he continued. “I don’t want to sing sitting down, I refuse this possibility. I’ve had a good life, I’ve been doing the job I wanted to do since I was 11.”
The other touching moment was November Ultra, a newcomer to the French pop scene. By coming to collect her female revelation award, the interpreter of the title November recalled in tears that his mother told him “you know, it’s rare for the children of workers to become artists”. “Look, mom!” She then said, holding up her trophy, her voice choking.
“I’m 34,” she continued. “You’re never too old, it’s never too late. Make some music, maybe next year it’s you here!”
The Victory of male revelation went to the young Belgian Pierre de Maere, 21, whose first album Look at me came out a few days ago. His title One day I will marry an angel, which caused a sensation on social networks, is one of the songs that marked last year.
See the full list below
female artist
Angela
Izia
Apple
male artist
Stromae
Bigflo and Oli
Grand Corps Malade, Ben Mazué and Gaël Faye
Female revelation
November Ultra
Emma Peters
Lying
Male revelation
Pierre de Maere
James
Lujipeka
Tiakola
Album
Multitude by Stromae
By Your Side by Jeanne Added
Consolation of Apple
Short-lived by Grand Corps Malade, Ben Mazué and Gaël Faye
Ninety-Five of Angela
original song
The quest from Orelsan
Heart by Clara Luciani
Flame by Juliette Armanet
hell by Stromae
One day I will marry an angel by Pierre de Maere
Concert
Civilization Tour – Orelsan
Burning the Fire Tour – Juliette Armanet
Breathe Again Tower – Clara Luciani
Audiovisual creation
The quest d’Orelsan (directed by Victor Haegelin)
Getting old by Bigflo and Oli (directed by Brice VDH)
sons of joy by Stromae (directed by Stefano Delfosse and Brian Ducceschi)
Most streamed album by a female artist
Ninety-Five of Angela
Most streamed album by a male artist
Jeff by Ninho
Victory of honor
Serge Lama
