21 Famous Music Artists from France You Should Know About

France has been a beacon of cultural innovation, and its music scene is no exception. French musicians have continually shaped and reformed the musical landscape from iconic sound to modern rhythms. 

Their contributions span various genres, from classical to electronic and pop, reflecting the rich tapestry of French artistic expression.   

Nowadays, Hip-Hop and mainstream pop dominate the charts globally. However, new and famous French musicians influenced by the 80s and 90s offered a refreshing alternative, connecting the older and younger generations. 

French music is characterised by happiness resonating through decades and genres. It is said that French is one of the most intimate languages, and fascinating singers dominate most French music. 

In this blog, we'll explore the types of electronic music, about 21 French music artists, and the unique styles that have influenced French and global music cultures. 

 

Different Genres of Electronic Music

 

Electronic music is an umbrella for a wide range of genres instead of focusing on just one set of sounds. It covers various styles and genres, making it one of the most diverse music categories. EDM covers almost all electronic or primarily electronic elements. Various genres within EDM occupy specific positions on the dance music spectrum. 

Let's explore some popular genres and subgenres of electronic music. 

 

• Ambient

Ambient music is an electronic genre that emphasises tone and ambience over other traditional musical structures and rhythms. It has a peaceful sound but lacks a composition, beat, and structured melody. 

• Disco

Disco is a popular genre of electronic dance music and a subculture that emerged in the late 1960s from the US city nightlife scene. Four-on-the-floor beats, synchronised basslines, string sections, electric piano, synthesisers, and rhythm guitars define its sound.

• Dubstep

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London during the early 2000s. It blends 2-step rhythms and sparse dub production and incorporates broken beat, grime, drum and bass elements.  

• Hardcore

Hardcore is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany in the 1990s. It is known for its faster tempo, distorted and intense sawtooth kick drums, synthesised bassline, and sound textures.

• House

House is a genre of electronic dance music characterised by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. House music strongly influences pop and dance music and has developed into many subgenres. The subgenres are deep house, garage house, melodic house, afro house, tech house, vocal house, soulful house, and more. 

• Dub

Dub is an electronic musical style that emerged from reggae in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its central concept depends on remixes and existing recordings. Dub impacts the originals by removing vocal parts. It emphasises the rhythm section, with studio-like effects and occasionally dubbing instrumental and vocal snippets from original compositions. 

• Garage

UK Garage, also known as UKG, is an EDM genre that originated in England in the middle of the 1990s. The jungle mainly inspires the genre and incorporates elements from dance-pop and R&B. It is also characterised by shuffled drum patterns with syncopated hi-hats, snares, cymbals, and chopped-up vocal samples. 

• EDM

Electronic dance music, or club music, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. DJs produce it for playback and create accessible selections of tracks called DJ mixes by mixing one recording with another. 

• Electro

France has a rich history of renowned electronic music DJs and artists shaping the global scene. Electro is an electronic music and early hip-hop style influenced by Roland TR-808 drum machines and funk. In this genre, drops are often highlighted, and vocoders are used in sampling techniques every day. The style is a commercialised version of the previous Electroclash sound in a 4/4 format.

 

Top 21 Music Artists from France

 

As one of the most melodious and pleasant romance languages, French music is primarily dominated by enticing vocalists and smoothly presented pop. It boasts a particular zest for life that spans different styles and periods. 

The electronic music scene known as the "French Touch" became prominent in the 1990s, with several innovators achieving global recognition. In the 2000s, the world witnessed a rise in the popularity of independent artists. 

Let's explore the top 21 famous music artists from France -

 

1.    Serge Gainsbourg

The iconic hero of France continues to incorporate French artistic expression, combining hedonism and extravagance. Serge Gainsbourg is one of the best French music artists and a highly influential songwriter, composer, and cultural icon. 

He is still considered influential seven decades after his debut. He is popular for captivating audiences today.

 

2.    Brigitte Bardot

Recognised for her work as a French film star, Brigitte Bardot is acknowledged for her singing career. In the 1960s, she collaborated with pop rebel Serge Gainsbourg on several albums that captured that period's essence. 

They adopted a proto-punk sound with "Harley Davidson" and showed their unique side with "Bonnie & Clyde." Her "Je T'aime..Moi Non Plus" became a surprise hit long after its release. 

 

3.    Maurice Chevalier

Maurice Chevalier is most famous for "Thank Heaven for Little Girls." During his  60-year career, he witnessed both world wars. Chevalier was considered France's sophisticated male lead artist, starring in films alongside artists like Sinatra, Jayne Mansfield, and the Marx Brothers. 

He received admiration from top film and Broadway composers and had the opportunity to present songs by Rogers and Hart, Gershwin, and Berlin. He was one of the most iconic French singers who recorded "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me". It had the sweetest signature tunes, which have been recorded many times.

 

4.    Johnny Hallyday 

Although he has never left his country, acclaimed French singer Johnny Hallyday is still known as the French version of Elvis Presley. For many years, his signature hip-movement style brought his unique twist to rock' n'roll. His versatile talent and emotional depth as a singer are showcased in his popular songs "L'Envie" and "Que je time."

With Johnny Hallyday's vast collection of music, you can immerse yourself in the rich past of French rock music and recognise the lasting impact of this legendary music icon.

 

5.    Jean-Jacques Goldman

Goldman epitomised French pop of the 80s/'90s, blending diverse styles to appeal to audiences. As a writer/producer, he worked on successful songs by Celine Dion, which led to his Grammy win. Following his time with Tai Phong, Goldman started a solo career with the release of "Je te Donne" in 1986. This led to successful songs until he retired from music at 50 in 2002.  

 

6.    Stromae

The Belgian rapper/producer became a global sensation by releasing "Alors on Danse" in 2010, topping charts in 19 countries. The song gained popularity in the US when TikTok users discovered it almost ten years later. 

The song had an underlying depth, and the French lyrics mentioned, "The world is in a state of crisis, so we choose to dance." Stromae later collaborated with Coldplay and appeared in a music video for Dua Lipa. At the same time, his 2022 track "L'Enfer" showcased his enduring struggles with depression.

 

7.    Coeur de Pirate

One of the top French music artists, Quebecois Beatrice Martin, is also known for her imaginary band Coeur de Pirate and is one of the famous French musicians. She was only 18 when her song "Comme des enfants" became famous after being featured in a viral video. 

The song displayed her charm and innocence, qualities she retained as she grew up. Eventually, she matured and delved into more complex subjects like gender and sexuality. Her debut album, Roses, released in 2015, was the first and only one to feature English lyrics.

 

8.    Françoise Hardy

Françoise Hardy was one of the main French yé-yé singer, along with France Gall, Sylvie Vartan, and Sheila. Hardy brought elegance to the bubblegum genre, reaching the top of French and British pop charts. 

One of her famous songs is "It Hurts To Say Goodbye" by Serge Gainsbourg. She is known for her introspective lyrics and melancholic melodies; all generations have accepted her songs. One of her most famous titles is "Tous les garçons et les filles" (1962), an iconic song she launched when she was 17.

 

9.    Jean-Michel Jarre 

Jean-Michel André Jarre, born August 24, 1948, is an established French composer, artist, and music producer. He is a trendsetter in electronic, ambient, and new-age music styles. He is famous for orchestrating outdoor shows with his music, extensive laser displays, huge visual projections, and fireworks.

 

10.    Madeon

Hugo Pierre Leclercq, also known as Madeon, is a French musician, DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. He was born on May 30, 1994, and belongs to Nantes, now in Los Angeles. Madeon has mentioned that his biggest musical inspirations are The Beatles and Daft Punk.

He first gained widespread public recognition after a YouTube video called "Pop Culture" went viral. In this video, he played a mash-up of 39 popular songs using a Novation Launchpad in real-time. Millions of people visited it within the first few days of its launch. 

 

11.    Celine Dion

She is originally from Quebec and is an ideal pop icon who sings predominantly in French. She represents the defining characteristics of French pop, such as romance, emotion, and vulnerability. Céline Dion has more French-language albums than English ones, which are known for her most artistic performances by her fans.

 

12.    Sylvia Vartan

Francoise Hardy and Sylvia Vartan were among the most famous French electronic artists to emerge from the ye-ye movement in the mid-1960s. While Hardy was characterised by introspection, Vartan exuded a natural rock' n'roll vibe. Her initial success in the music industry came from releasing French adaptations of "What'd I Say" and "The Loco-Motion."  

Then, in 1964, she travelled to Nashville to work on an English album with the Jordanaires. One of her greatest hits was the popular "Irresistiblement" from 1968, and she continued to release successful songs until the 1990s.

 

13.    Air

Air, an influential French electronic music duo, emerged in the 2000s and beyond. They became the leaders of French pop and successful crossover artists in the Anglosphere. Air is known for its unique electronica, baroque pop, jazz, and lounge blend. 

They originate from Versailles, France, and are made up of Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel. In 1998, their internationally successful debut album, Moon Safari, which featured the hit song "Sexy Boy," received critical acclaim. 

The Virgin Suicides, its sequel, served as the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola's debut film of the same title. The band has released the albums 10 000 Hz Legend, Love 2, Le voyage Dans La Lune, Talkie Walkie, Pocket Symphony, and more.

 

14.    Jacques Brel

Jacques Brel is a Belgium-based composer/actor who is highly skilled at creating theatrical character songs. This is one reason artists like Scott Walker and David Bowie admire him. Bowie even included Brel's "Amsterdam" in his Ziggy shows. 

He successfully partnered with pop poet Rod McKuen and created popular songs like "If You Go Away" and "Seasons in the Sun" with McKuen's English lyrics. Brel passed away at a relatively young age in 1978, yet in the off-Broadway show, he is alive with his music, Alive and Well and Living in Paris, which has continued to be performed for many years.

 

15.    France Gall

France Gall, a French pop singer known as a yé-yé girl, gained fame by winning the Eurovision contest. Her songs topped the French charts for many years. She also inspired Frank Sinatra's song "My Way."

It was derived from the French song "Comme D'Habitude," by her former partner Claude François. Her famous songs are -  A Simple Favor (2018), Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) and Heartbeats (2010).

 

16.    Mylene Farmer

Mylène Farmer, one of the best French electronic artists, has fearlessly explored controversial themes like religion, culture, sexuality, and philosophy. One of her well-known songs, "Désenchantée," took inspiration from early '90s student demonstrations and the Gulf War. 

In her music, she has explored classic pop, goth synth-scapes, and disco and has also collaborated with Sting on songs like "Stolen Car" that made it onto the US dance charts.

 

17.    Daft Punk

Daft Punk was a French duo created in Paris 1993 by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo. They gained initial fame in the late 90s within the French house genre. They blended house music with funk, disco, techno, rock, and synth-pop. 

Daft Punk popularised French house music globally. They have received thirteen nominations and won seven Grammy Awards. Some of their popular songs are Face to Face, Contact, Digital Love, TRON Legacy (End Credits), One More Time, and more.

 

18.    Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour was known for his knowledge of love, expressing it through his music for almost 75 years. Edith Piaf initially helped develop his career, and in 1953, he became one of the inaugural artists to write most of his first album. Frank Sinatra, another fan of Aznavour, launched his debut in the US through his Reprise record label. 

Among his well-known songs were "La Boheme," "Yesterday When I Was Young" (sung by Roy Clark in the US), and "What Makes a Man" from 1972, which was one of the first non-rock songs to address gay sexuality.  

 

19.    Julien Doré 

A modern French singer and songwriter born in 1982, Doré is known for captivating audiences with his charming tunes and lyrical poetry. He started gaining popularity after his victory in "Nouvelle Star" in 2007. Doré has received extensive praise for his popular songs such as "Paris-Seychelles" and "Coco Câline." His skill in narrating stories in his music and his charming melodies set him apart in the contemporary French music industry.

In addition to his singing talent, Julien Doré's diverse acting and directing abilities enhance his creative persona. His holistic approach to artistic endeavours attracts fans.

 

20.    Zaz

Isabelle Geffroy, born in 1980, has become a charming presence in French music. She is recognised for her pop songs influenced by jazz and her soulful singing style. Her songs like "Je veux" and "On ira" have helped her become a star by highlighting her unique style.

Her music is widely appreciated in the French music industry. Her 2010 breakout hit "Je Veux," which reached the top of the charts and showcased her powerful voice and dazzling stage presence. 

Zaz's dedication to being genuine and telling emotional stories makes her unique in French pop music. She maintains a diverse fan base worldwide by bringing a distinctive, soulful energy to the genre.

 

21.    Christine and the Queens

Héloïse Adelaïde Letissier, born June 1 1988, is a French singer, songwriter, and producer. She is professionally known as Christine and the Queens or simply Chris. Letissier has been under contract with the indie label Because Music since 2012. 

Her debut album, Chaleur Humaine (2014), was declared one of the year's best albums by The Guardian, The Independent, Mojo, and NME. 

Her second album, Chris, was released in September 2018 and was named "Album of the Year" by The Guardian. Its first single, "Girlfriend," was named "Song of the Year" by Time.

 

Embrace The Rhythmic Symphony of Top Music Artists From France With Casa!

 

Exploring the work of these top French music artists introduces a diverse landscape of music. Every artist contributes a different layer to the amalgamation of melodies and lyrics that shape the identity of French music. 

There's music for every enthusiast, whether you prefer the vibrant storytelling of Edith Piaf, the contemporary vibes of Zaz, or the rock 'n' roll energy of Johnny Hallyday, diving into the heart of French musical expression.

At Casa, we are here to help you browse through the works of the best French electronic music artists and get a better understanding of the genre. Explore the diverse sounds that have influenced and characterised the French music industry.