Chilla or poetry that hits home

In the sweltering heat of Paleo's Club Tent, French rapper Chilla performed with a smile from ear to ear to an open-minded audience ready to receive her slaps...

Ten minutes before the start of the show, the audience is already chanting the name of the rapper who is about to give a concert on July 21 at the Paléo Festival: Chilla. Tension mounts and the audience grows impatient. After a smashing entrance, the audience discovers a rapper with a high-pitched voice and a hell of a flow of words: words follow one another, intertwine, without ever overlapping. Short, effective, poignant phrases shoot out at the audience. The words are tossed about with intoxicating gentleness, and the audience returns them just as firmly.

Born in Genolier, Switzerland, the rapper has made a name for herself in the rap world, not least thanks to her lyrics, which some would say are too crude - and above all, too feminist. On stage, she shows a firm grip and a desire to express herself. Despite this drive, Chilla wears a touching smile throughout the concert: she gives off a light-hearted image and seems to be enjoying the show from start to finish. She even has the simplicity to introduce herself to people who might not know her, a rare occurrence at the festival. Also, when it's time to get the ball rolling for a pogo, she issues a warning and asks those who don't feel like taking part to move to the sides. Again, a rare occurrence.

Slaps and melody

As for the tracks, they follow each other as Chilla's bewitching voice unfolds. She slams for Am Stram Gram and sinks during If I were a man. She never tires, on the contrary: she rises and bursts as the concert progresses, ever more melodious. Accompanied by two musicians in the background, Chilla uses the small space of the Club Tent stage to impose her sounds and lyrics. Somewhere between rap and pop, the singer's energetic personality seems to spread through the crowd and the light show.

The crowd spreads out or compresses to the rhythm of the tracks. Young and old alike, aged 20-30, dance, jump and sing along with Chilla, in a big bath of good humor. But why exactly does Chilla appeal so much? «She's a girl who's not afraid! Her words shocked, but she kept going, she dares to confront the guys and sends important messages. She's very inspiring,» says a 32-year-old concertgoer with great enthusiasm before the concert. Inspiring, yes, certainly: her very personal appropriation of the stage and the people who came to listen to her are undoubtedly the reflection of an original character, far removed from the bad image that sticks to rappers.

Write to the author: erica.berazategui@leregardlibre.com

Header image: French rapper Chilla at the Paléo Festival Nyon on July 21, 2022 © Paléo / Lionel Flusin

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