Kendji Girac: The French Latin-Pop Phenomenon
Kendji Girac is a French singer-songwriter of Catalan Romani descent who rose to fame after winning the 2014 season of The Voice: la plus belle voix. Hailing from Périgueux in southwestern France, he has become one of the nation's best-selling artists, with his debut album achieving diamond certification and spawning multiple chart-topping singles.
Early career
Born in 1996, Kendji Maillé grew up in a traveling community, deeply influenced by the flamenco and rumba catalana music of his heritage. He began playing guitar as a child and was performing in markets and at family gatherings before his grandmother secretly submitted an application for him to audition for the French version of The Voice.
Breakthrough
His 2014 blind audition performance of "Bella" by the Gipsy Kings instantly captivated the coaches and the French public, setting him on a path to win the entire competition. Signed to Mercury France, his debut single "Color Gitano" was released that same year and went straight to number one, setting the stage for his monumental first album.
Key tracks
Color Gitano — This debut single cemented his signature French-Latin sound and topped the French Singles Chart for weeks.
Andalouse — A massive hit from his first album, this song achieved diamond single status and dominated airwaves across Europe.
Conmigo — This track showcased his evolving pop style and featured on his 2023 album L'école de la vie.
Me Quemo — A collaboration with French-Malian singer Gims and singer-songwriter Vianney, highlighting his successful work within the French industry.
Les yeux de la mama — A heartfelt ballad demonstrating his vocal range and songwriting depth, beloved by his fanbase.
His self-titled debut album Kendji, released in late 2014, was a commercial juggernaut, selling over a million copies and being certified diamond in France. His follow-up albums, including Ensemble (2015) and Amigo (2018), continued this success, consistently achieving platinum or multi-platinum status. Kendji Girac has collaborated with major French stars like Soprano and Maître Gims, further solidifying his place in the mainstream.
Fans of Kendji Girac's energetic fusion of pop and Latin rhythms may also enjoy Soprano, who blends rap with melodic pop and world music influences. The acoustic-driven pop and heartfelt storytelling of Vianney shares a similar chart-topping appeal in France. For another artist with a powerful voice and cross-cultural pop style, explore Indila. The catchy, folk-infused pop of Joyce Jonathan also resonates with listeners of melodic French music.
Kendji Girac's catalog is a staple on French pop and international hit radio stations featured on our network. His infectious singles are frequently played on mainstream FM stations and online radio streams dedicated to contemporary European hits.
Listeners can discover the vibrant music of Kendji Girac by tuning into the French pop and Latin-inspired radio stations available on onairium.com, where his hits are regularly featured in the daily rotation.
