Michel Bampély
Michel Bampély | |
|---|---|
Michel Bampély during the filming of the video for the song Je crois in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michel Obouronanga |
| Also known as | Saint-Michel |
| Born | October 8, 1974 Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Origin | France |
| Genres | Afrobeat, hip-hop, slam, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, poet, sociologist, educator |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Scorpio Music, Universal Music France (1999–2004), Urban Music Tour, Believe, Tonton Max, Universal Music Africa, Virgin Music Africa (since 2022) |
Michel Bampély (born Michel Obouronanga on 8 October 1974 in Kyiv) is a French artist, sociologist, poet, producer, and teacher. He is also known by his stage name Saint-Michel. Active since 1999, he works at the crossroads of academic research, music, and spoken word performance.[1]
Biography
Early life and education
Michel Bampély is of Congolese descent and the grandson of Michel Mongali, a Congolese politician who served as Minister of Youth and Sports in the 1960s. His uncle, Maxime Mongali, was a songwriter influential in Congolese rumba.[2]
After growing up in Paris, where he discovered hip-hop culture, he studied modern literature and sociology. He earned his doctorate from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), under the supervision of sociologist Jean-Louis Fabiani.[3]
Artistic career
Using the stage name Saint-Michel, Bampély formed the group La Troupe in the late 1990s.[4] In 2000, the group released the album La fête des fous. He continued to explore spoken word and music with the 2011 album Les Rillettes du Mans, blending slam poetry and French chanson in tribute to his adopted city.[5]
In 2023, he released Grand Enfant (Afro-Jazz Vol.1), an Afro-jazz project distributed by Universal Music Africa.[6] The album includes the song Mon pays, which addresses the legacy of slavery and colonialism.[7]
Academic and social engagement
Alongside his artistic career, Bampély teaches french literature and leads writing workshops. His research focuses on urban cultures and the cultural industries.He has participated in academic conferences and has published essays on hip-hop and social theory.[1]
In 2024, Bampély signed a collective op-ed with over 4,000 scholars denouncing the risks posed by the far-right party Rassemblement National to research, education, and academic freedom in France.[8] · [9]
Personal life
In 2022, Michel Bampély married poet and multidisciplinary artist Mademoiselle Éférie. Together they have two children.The couple collaborates artistically, including on the song Le Bal Blomet.[10]
Discography
- La fête des fous (2000)
- Les Rillettes du Mans (2011)
- Grand Enfant (Afro-Jazz Vol.1) (2023)
- Les Infinis (Soul Jazz Poetry) (2025)
See also
References
- ^ a b Sociales, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences (2017-02-21). "Michel Bampély". EHESS (in French). Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ Afrik (2023-12-19). "Saint-Michel : Musique afro-jazz et héritage congolais". Afrik (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-19..
- ^ "Michel Bampély, artiste et sociologue". Regards protestants (in French). 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2019-10-19..
- ^ La Troupe Discography, 2000.
- ^ africain, l'horizon (2025-01-24). "Musique : Entre jazz et poésie, Saint-Michel réédite son album «Les rillettes du Mans»". lhorizonafricain (in French). Retrieved 2025-01-24.
- ^ Universal Music Africa Press Release, 2023.
- ^ africain, l'horizon (2025-02-01). "Musique : Musique : L'artiste Saint-Michel sort un nouvel album «Grand Enfant» avec cinq titres". lhorizonafricain (in French). Retrieved 2025-01-24.
- ^ "Nous, scientifiques, appelons à la mobilisation contre l'extrême droite". Le Nouvel Obs (in French). 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-07-09..
- ^ "Scientifiques en rébellion | Scientifiques, nous appelons à une mobilisation contre l'extrême droite". scientifiquesenrebellion.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-09..
- ^ Linguendze, Dominique (2023-10-02). "Saint-Michel: le jazz, l'amour et l'Afrique". Africultures (in French). Retrieved 2025-01-01.