Gaël Faye
Rwandan–French singer, rapper, and writer (born 1982)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gaël Faye (French pronunciation: [ɡaɛl faj]; born 6 August 1982) is a Rwandan–French singer, songwriter, rapper, and writer.
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Personal life
Faye was born in Bujumbura, Burundi, of a French father and Rwandan mother.[1] He moved to France at the age of 13, escaping from the Burundian civil war.[2] He studied commerce and later received a master's degree in finance.[3]
He is married and has two daughters. His mother in law is Rwandan Dafroza Gauthier.[4][5]
Books
Faye wrote a novel inspired by his teenage-years' experience of the war in Burundi.[6] Small Country (Petit Pays)[4] was first published in France in August 2016 by Grasset. It won five literary prizes.[6] It has been translated into 36 languages[7][8] and made into a movie, released in 2020.[9] In August 2024, Faye's second novel, Jacaranda, was published, also by Grasset.[10]
Music
In 2010, Faye and Edgar Sekloka released a rap and hip-hop album entitled Milk Coffee and Sugar (also the name of their group).[11]
Faye then released three solo albums and one EP: Pili Pili sur un Croissant au Beurre (2013), Des fleurs EP (2014).[1] Lundi Méchant (2020) and Mauve Jacaranda (2022). Lundi Méchant went gold in 2022.
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Rwanda: Words of Silence | Wrote and directed | [12] | |
| 2024 | Savages | MC Orangutan | Voice role | [13] |
Awards
- 2016: Prix du roman Fnac for Petit Pays
- 2016: Prix du Premier Roman for Petit Pays
- 2016: Prix Goncourt des Lycéens for Petit Pays
- 2016: Prix France Culture/Télérama for Petit Pays
- 2023: The Grand Public Prize at Justice Documentary Festival Paris
- 2024: Prix Renaudot for Jacaranda