Mokobé du 113

French rapper Mokobe Traore was originally a member of the rap posse 113, but really made his name with his 2007 solo outing, Mon Afrique, an album on which he put his Malian roots to the forefront, backed up by such famous African artists as Youssou N'Dour, Amadou & Mariam, Tiken Jah Fakoly, and Salif Keita, to name a few, as well as French hip-hop figures Booba and Diam's. The video for "C'est dans la Joie" got heavy rotation on music TV channels, making it one of 2007's top-ranking French hits. ~ Olivier Duboc