Les Flammes 2025: the best of the night

A night where urban cultures shone brightly

La Seine Musicale was ablaze on Tuesday, May 13th for the third edition of Les Flammes, a ceremony that has become, in just three years, the unmissable event for rap and urban music in France. In an electric atmosphere, the biggest names in the French music scene gathered to celebrate this flourishing culture and present no fewer than 25 awards. Tonight Pass takes you back to this memorable evening, its complete list of winners and emotional moments that set Paris on fire.

A ceremony growing in scale

Created at the initiative of media outlets Yard and Booska-P in partnership with Spotify, Les Flammes ceremony was born from a clear ambition: to finally give urban cultures the recognition they deserve. After two editions at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the event reached a new level this year by moving to La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt, a prestigious venue befitting the cultural importance of rap and R&B.

This change of venue perfectly symbolizes the meteoric rise of Les Flammes in the French cultural landscape. For the first time, the ceremony was also opened to the general public with 2,000 tickets put on sale, which sold out in just ten minutes – proof, if any were needed, of the excitement generated by the event.

Key figures that set the event ablaze

This third edition broke all records, with:

• 25 award categories
• 56 artists in competition
• 320,000 public votes (compared to 285,000 in 2024)
• 3.5 hours of programming and 18 live performances
• Multi-platform broadcasting: YouTube, Twitch, M6+ live and W9 on delay
• 2,000 spectators present at La Seine Musicale
• A jury of 26 professionals with equal weight to public votes

Complete list of winners: the triumph of Tiakola, SDM, and SCH

The big winners

This year, three artists particularly distinguished themselves by winning three awards each:

Tiakola, the major favorite with 9 nominations, takes home:

• The Male Artist of the Year Flame
• The New Pop Album Flame for "BDLM VOL. 1"
• The R&B Track Flame for "RESTE-LÀ" (with RnBoi and Monsieur Nov)

SDM dominates with:

• The Rap Album Flame for "À la vie à la mort"
• The Track of the Year Flame
• The Featuring of the Year Flame for "Dolce Camara" with Booba

SCH shines with:

• The Rap Performance Track Flame for "Prequel"
• The Music Video of the Year Flame for "Stigmates"
• The Album Cover Flame for "JVLIVS III"

Female artists in the spotlight

Shay succeeds Aya Nakamura by winning:

• The Female Artist of the Year Flame
• The Stage Revelation Flame of the Year

Aya Nakamura, last year's double winner, retains:

• The International Influence Flame

The 2025 revelations

• Theodora: Female Revelation of the Year
• La Mano 1.9: Male Revelation of the Year

Other notable awards

• Werenoi: Spotify Album of the Year Flame for "Pyramide 2"
• Kaaris: Concert of the Year Flame for his "Or Noir" anniversary tour
• DJ Mehdi (posthumously): Eternal Flame

The highlights that marked the evening

The moving tribute to DJ Mehdi

One of the most touching moments of the evening was undoubtedly the presentation of the Eternal Flame to DJ Mehdi, an iconic figure in French electronic music and hip-hop, who died accidentally in 2011. Kery James, visibly moved, took the stage to present this award to the artist's mother, creating a moment of collective remembrance and emotion. This powerful moment reminded everyone of the importance of transmission and memory in this ever-evolving culture.

Amel Bent's memorable performance

Another highlight of the evening was Amel Bent's performance, which set La Seine Musicale ablaze as she performed her iconic hit "Ma philosophie," accompanied by a gospel choir, before interpreting "Décharge mentale," a track from her latest album. This was a particularly symbolic moment that highlighted the impressive trajectory of an artist who paved the way for an entire generation of talents. Her energy and stage presence impressed the audience, reminding everyone of her pioneering status in French urban music.

Revelation Theodora sets the stage on fire

The ceremony was also marked by the explosive performance of Theodora, crowned female revelation of the year. The performer of the hit "Kongolese sous BBL" took advantage of her time on stage to present a new unreleased track that sparked enthusiasm from the audience. During her acceptance speech, she dedicated her award "to the children of the diaspora" and "to all women who are a bit strange," a declaration met with a standing ovation.

Joé Dwèt Filé brings the heat with "4 kampé"

The Haitian-origin singer delivered a spectacular performance with his hit "4 kampé," accompanied by dancers and finishing his act with a flamethrower. His performance, rooted in the tradition of konpa, a popular Caribbean musical genre, brought an international and festive touch to the ceremony.

Analysis: a celebration reshaping the French musical landscape

This third edition of Les Flammes confirms the emergence of a new generation of artists redefining the contours of popular music in France. While pioneers like Booba or Kaaris continue to exert their influence, new voices like those of Tiakola, Theodora, or La Mano 1.9 now embody the future of urban cultures.

The ceremony also testifies to a significant evolution in the place of women in this universe long dominated by men. With Shay crowned female artist of the year, Theodora as female revelation, and Amel Bent's remarkable performance, Les Flammes 2025 highlighted the diversity and richness of female talent shaping today's urban musical landscape.

Finally, the event found a balance between celebrating current culture and paying homage to its heritage, as evidenced by the Eternal Flame awarded to DJ Mehdi. This transgenerational dimension anchors urban cultures in a history and continuity, while valuing their constant renewal.

Les Flammes, much more than an awards ceremony

In just three editions, Les Flammes has established itself as much more than a simple awards ceremony. The event has become a true barometer of the vitality of urban music in France, but also a catalyst for institutional recognition of a culture kept on the margins for too long.

As French rap now largely dominates listening charts and influences popular culture well beyond its initial circle, Les Flammes plays a crucial role in legitimizing these artistic expressions. The presence of national media, television broadcasting, and public enthusiasm testify to a profound change in the perception of urban cultures.

By investing in La Seine Musicale, multiplying live performances, and highlighting the diversity of talents, Les Flammes 2025 has definitively anchored rap and urban music at the heart of the French cultural landscape.

Book your tickets for the winners' concerts

Did you vibrate with the ceremony and want to prolong the experience? Good news: several Les Flammes 2025 winners will soon be performing in concert in France. Don't miss the opportunity to see them on stage and experience the effervescence of urban music live!

With Tonight Pass, book your tickets now for concerts by Tiakola, Shay, SCH, or even Kaaris, and enter venues directly without queuing. Everything starts with just a few clicks from your couch!

The Tonight Pass editorial team