Blois, France

1988

A promising young talent on the Gallic hip-hop scene, French rapper Niro grew up in the city of Blois, where he developed his MC skills in the group Les Insurgés and various collectives before signing to the Street Lourd label. After making a name for himself with guest appearances on Booba's Autopsie, Vol. 4 ("Fenwick") and Bilel's Laissez Passer l'Artiste ("Tu Vois Ce Que J'Veux Dire"), he released his 2012 debut street tape, Paraplégique, in the same week he was arrested and then jailed for five months for contempt. ~ Jon O'Brien