With my old friend Gildas Dissou and my new friend Hamé Bourokba, of La Rumeur – France’s most subversive rap group, in NYC for his new film ‘The Truk’ (curiously my name backwards) showing Sunday at the Walter Reade Theater. It’s killer. (photo: Adam Nakhla-Thometz)

On Wednesday Gildas invited me to a screening of this film (curiously my name backwards), introducing me to his Highlife friends from the low down suburbs of Versailles.  Algerian dissident rap star Hamé is the producer. The show’s his milieu.

I had no idea who da fuck or what when I showed up to meet G’s at Walter Reade. When Hamé and I were briefly introduced before the show at the ticket booth I didn’t know who he was. When I found out I wondered how he’d skipped from no rent to definite. It’s quite a voice he and his has; the sound of the tenements of the outer boroughs, or, how you say?: arrondissement.

            “You’re the librarian.”

I guess so. I know how he knowed but why’d he give a shit? Inquiring minds want to know. Our mutual, Gildas, natch, but even so I’m not certain I understand always what others are reading into me. He and I talk, which is why I like him.

From first time I met Gildas I knew “this guy’s my friend.” He is a shy guy, tall, slim to svelte, well spoken, late 20s, he published his interview with me as a blog.  4I thought it an exemplary interview but doubted its duration’d hold today’s internets’ readers’ attention for being too long but he say, Nay-so, so alright I approved. It’s the only interview I ever did I’m actually proud of. Gildas got me.

            Hamé, I’d say, same-so.

He had the advantage on me as I didn’t know from La Rumeur, not knowing, as I don’t, French rap.  All the same I’ve known some guys like him where he’s come from, Manthia Diawara for instance, who’ve long interested me.  Da fuck with French rap? I’ve actually wondered.  Maybe I find out more.  What I hear, I like.

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