While singer Aya Nakamura is expected to sing at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the latter was stigmatized last weekend during a meeting of the far-right Reconquête! and was the target of a racist banner brandished by a small ultra-right group. She has received a lot of support from peers in the music world and several political leaders.
According to the weekly L’Express, the artist would have discussed with Emmanuel Macron, during an interview in February, her possible participation in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, with the possibility that she would perform a song by Edith Piaf. Neither the President of the Republic nor the artist have confirmed this rumor.
On Sunday, boos rang out at the mention of the name of the Franco-Malian singer by Eric Zemmour, during the first major campaign meeting of his Reconquête! party, organized at the Dôme de Paris in view of the European elections. The day before, the small ultra-right group Les Natifs posted on its networks a photo of a banner hung by around ten of its members on the banks of the Seine. “No way Aya, this is Paris, not the Bamako market! », We could read there. The expression “There’s no way” is a reference to the singer’s hit Djadja, which has more than 950 million views on YouTube.
The most listened to French-speaking singer in the world reacted to this banner on her social networks: “You can be racist but not deaf… That’s what hurts you! I’m becoming a number 1 state topic in debates etc. but what do I owe you in real life? Kedal. »
“Uninhibited racism” and “lynching” denounced
Kalash Criminel, Gazo, Eva Queen, Nej, Still Fresh… Many artists from the world of rap and R’n’B have given their support to Aya Nakamura. Singer Dadju, one of the heavyweights of the industry in France, defended the singer: “That’s why we’re late here. You lynch the biggest artist in the country with fourth-grade arguments… It wasn’t even a fight but mtn [now] she has to sing, we’ll support her. It’s not Bamako, it’s not Bamako. Bunch of dogs. »
“[It’s] 2024 and we’re still here?! A very rotten slogan to display uninhibited racism! Having a racialized and talented artist sing at the Olympics frustrates you! Hide your faces, you deserve nothing, you piece of shit,” singer Wejdene was also indignant, in solidarity with Aya Nakamura.
On the political side, the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, broadcast the following message on her networks: “No matter how much we love you, dear @AyaNakamuraa, don’t care about the whole world. With you. » “Well hidden behind their banner these racist delinquents. They claim to love their country but they want to exclude the most listened to French-speaking singer in the world since Edith Piaf. You cannot be racist and patriotic in France. Support for Aya Nakamura,” wrote “rebellious” MP Antoine Léaument on X.
Green MP Sandrine Rousseau wrote on the same social network: “The racism behind the refusal of @AyaNakamuraa is indecent. She is one of the best, an international Queen. And it will give another image of France. An image of an open and tolerant France. Not that of little feet. Can’t wait [his performance during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games]. »
