Djadja & Dinaz - Drôle de mentalité

A unique mindset emerges as a manifesto of complete self-sufficiency, where the duo Djadja & Dinaz validates their distinctive sound without relying on collaborations, transforming their past mistakes and local roots into a coherent artistic identity across 30 tracks. This album is not simply a continuation of the Le revers de la médaille (2018) album, but rather a necessary step towards complete autonomy, preceding the Spleen (2021) album and solidifying a career already defined by tracks like Dans l'arène (2017). The desire for complete control is the main foundation of this album, where Gianni Bellou and Azzedine Hedhli choose to assert themselves independently rather than through external collaborations.

Absolute self-sufficiency across 30 tracks without any external compromises

From Blasta Studio The production draws its roots from very concrete realities: the lyrics are written in the undergrounds of their neighborhood in La Pierre-Collinet, in Seine-et-Marne, anchoring the sound in a specific geography. This context translates into a production that varies between melancholic melodies and cloud or up-tempo rhythms, without ever betraying the origins of the artists from Henri Dunant College.

Blasta Studio in La Pierre-Collinet: The local grounding that defines the production

Maléfique: While the entire album adheres to a principle of isolation, there is one notable exception in the duo's trajectory: the single Maléfique with DJ Babs. This unique collaboration validates the principle of autonomy while also demonstrating that the group is not afraid to break its own rules when a relevant artistic opportunity arises. This occasional appearance does not compromise the overall coherence of Drôle de mentalité, on the contrary, it highlights the intentionality behind the choices made for each track.

From the "Let us do our thing" mistake to the current rigor: a well-defined path

The album also carries the memory of a difficult turning point in the careers of both artists. The members of the duo have acknowledged that the music video Laissez-nous faire notre biff, released in November 2014 and showing a dozen young people using firearms, was a youthful and amateur mistake. They used the visibility generated by this scandal to launch their careers after being sentenced to three months in prison. Drôle de mentalité embodies this resilience and the desire to avoid repeating past mistakes, transforming a troubled past into a narrative force that fuels the writing of the album.

Believing: The conclusion that seals the validation of their masculine identity

The project's conclusion is marked by the title Croire, the final track on the album, which serves as a validation of the artistic journey since their beginnings at Henri Dutnant College. This final moment seals an evolution characterized by autonomy and awareness of past mistakes. The opening with Drôle de mentalité and the closing with Croire frame a complete journey where the duo successfully maintained their fan base by releasing several previously unheard excerpts on their YouTube channel before recording this studio album.

Review of a transitional album: between melancholic melodies and cloud rhythms

At the end of this exploration, Drôle de mentalité appears as a historic opus marking the duo's evolution towards autonomy. It is not just a technical rap album, but an identity manifesto where the atypical production, their local roots, and the rigor in collaborative choices form a coherent whole. Between melancholic melodies and cloud or upbeat rhythms, Djadja & Dinaz have successfully established and varied their style and sound, while preserving an identity rooted in their origins in Meaux.

Technical details

- Release date : March 22, 2019 - Label : AllPoints France - Tracks : 30 - Opening / closing : Drôle de mentalité / Croire - Previous album : Le revers de la médaille (2018)