Troublemakers: The French Electro-Funk Powerhouse

Troublemakers is a French electronic music duo known for their signature blend of funk, hip-hop, and big beat. Hailing from Paris, the group achieved significant commercial success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with their debut album certified platinum in France and spawning several major club hits.

Early career

The duo, formed by producers Philippe "Zdar" Cerboneschi and Hubert "Boom Bass" Blanc-Francard in Paris in 1996, emerged from the vibrant French house scene. Both members were already respected figures, with backgrounds in engineering and production for other acts, before joining forces to create their own distinct, sample-heavy sound.

Breakthrough

Troublemakers' breakthrough arrived in 1997 with their debut album, Doubts & Convictions, released on the influential French label Yellow Productions. The album's lead single, Walkin' on the Moon, became an instant club anthem across Europe, driving the album to platinum status in France and establishing the duo as leaders of the burgeoning French touch movement.

Key tracks

Walkin' on the Moon — This debut single defined their sound with its funky guitar riff and propelled them to international recognition.

Dubstoned — A deeper, reggae-dub infused track that showcased the duo's versatility beyond peak-time club bangers.

Get Up — Featuring powerful vocals, this track became another staple in their live sets and on compilations.

Exodus — A later single that demonstrated their evolving production style, blending electronic elements with live instrumentation.

Following their initial success, Troublemakers released their second album, Direct, in 2001, which continued their exploration of funk and breakbeat. The members remained highly active as producers and engineers for other artists, with Zdar later finding further acclaim as one-half of the duo Cassius and as a mixer for major acts like Phoenix and Cat Power.

Fans of Troublemakers' groove-centric French electronica should also explore the work of Daft Punk, who pioneered the filtered house sound from the same scene. The sample-based funk of The Chemical Brothers shares a similar big beat energy. For another French act with a genre-blending approach, try Air, known for their downtempo lounge aesthetic. The raw production and hip-hop beats of DJ Shadow also offer a comparable sonic texture.

The music of Troublemakers maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on electronic and classic dance music FM stations, as well as on dedicated online radio streams that celebrate the legacy of 90s French house. Their tracks are regularly featured in sets that highlight the era's most influential club anthems.

Listeners can discover the definitive electro-funk sound of Troublemakers on a variety of radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to stations available on onairium.com to hear their iconic tracks and experience the energy that made them a cornerstone of French electronic music.