A joint portrait of a pop icon and a leading French rapper, this artistic meeting has an unexpected logic. In September 2018, the singer let slip on air that she had recorded a collaboration with the rapper, before the wider project was revealed.
The duo appears on the song “Dans l’univers,” included on the 2019 album Les étoiles vagabondes. The project combined an album with a film screened in cinemas and later released on Netflix. The track list contains 34 songs, and the record earned triple platinum certification (365,867 sales in 17 weeks).
Meanwhile, Vanessa Paradis released Les Sources on November 16, 2018, with songs written by Samuel Benchetrit. Two key songs associated with the collaboration—“Dans l’univers” and “Vague à l’âme sœur”—formed part of the promotional strategy.
In this article, we revisit the 2018 revelation, explore how their voices work together, and examine the songs, figures and cultural impact of this meeting between generations.
September 2018: Vanessa Paradis reveals the collaboration on RTL2
In late September 2018, a radio interview revealed that a recording had been made several months earlier. Her remarks stirred anticipation before the official promotion began.
“I don’t even know if I should talk about it”: an on-air admission reveals the project early
“I don’t even know if I should talk about it… it’s something we did, and sometimes you do things that never see the light of day.”
Her words on September 26, 2018, on RTL2 showed how cautious she was. They became an almost unintentional public introduction to the project.
They had already worked together on “a song” that might never be released
The singer said the session had taken place “several months” earlier. She added: “I didn’t rap… He didn’t either, actually—he sings!”
That artistic detail came as a surprise. The rapper had chosen a different vocal style.
Media context and timing: a revelation before Les étoiles vagabondes
Her remarks drew little immediate attention. The plans for the project remained deliberately secret. Fans speculated about a song called “Toi,” but nothing was confirmed.
As early as 2015, Nekfeu had expressed a wish to collaborate with her, making their meeting the result of a long-held idea. The September interview set the stage for the promotion to come.
| Date | Setting | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2018 | RTL2 | Recording revealed |
| Several months earlier | Studio session | The rapper sang |
| 2015 | Earlier statement | Wish to collaborate expressed |
For more on the collaboration that followed her revelation, see this account of their duet.
Nekfeu and Vanessa Paradis: What You Need to Know
The artistic choice puts their voices at the centre, without traditional rap verses.
On RTL2, the singer said she liked 1990s rap, naming De La Soul and Dr. Dre. Her taste for old-school sounds helps explain the warm grooves and muted melodies.
A meeting between singer and rapper in which “neither of us raps”: Nekfeu sings
“I didn’t rap… neither did he.”
That remark sums up the approach: the collaboration rests on performance. The duo favour singing and airy textures over hard-hitting rap verses. Her soft voice blends with his measured delivery, creating an intimate atmosphere.
Vanessa’s taste for old-school rap
She said she had already worked with him “several months” earlier, giving the song time to develop in the studio.
- 1990s influences: soul sounds and organic rhythms.
- Contemporary production: modern synths and melodic bridges.
- The result: a pop and hip-hop blend rather than straight rap.
| Strength | Influence | Artistic effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s tastes | De La Soul, Dr. Dre | Grooves and sonic warmth |
| Voices | Softness and texture | Airy atmosphere |
| Development | Studio time | Room to mature before the announcement |
For a sense of the public response, see listeners’ reviews of the album.
From the studio to success: songs, albums and public reception
The recordings soon became part of a release plan designed to attract attention. The strategy combined selected releases, streaming and a visual companion to extend the project’s reach.
“Dans l’univers”: an intimate exchange with broad appeal
Dans l’univers is the collaboration’s central song. It portrays attraction and distance between two voices, carried by an airy, sensual melody.
The production gives singing priority, strengthening the duet’s intimacy. Streaming figures confirm its popularity and help explain its central place in the promotion.
Single choice: “Vague à l’âme sœur”
To continue the promotion, the artist chose Vague à l’âme sœur as a single. The choice drew on the public response and the duo’s complementary styles.
An event album: a film, 34 tracks and triple platinum certification
Les étoiles vagabondes was conceived as a broader project: an album and a film screened in cinemas on June 6, then made available on Netflix. The album contains 34 tracks, including “Tricheur” with Damso.
Commercially, it reached 365,867 sales in 17 weeks and earned triple platinum certification. The format helped bring the songs to audiences across platforms.
At the same time: Les Sources and Vanessa Paradis’s recording career
Meanwhile, Vanessa Paradis released Les Sources on November 16, 2018, with several songs written by Samuel Benchetrit. The overlap increased media attention and drew in a wider audience.
The duet raised both artists’ profiles and strengthened the project’s place in French popular culture.
Conclusion
The September 2018 radio interview began an unusual journey that led to a multimedia project welcomed by critics and audiences.
This collaboration brings together a singer and an artist from rap who chose singing to broaden their emotional range.
“Dans l’univers” and “Vague à l’âme sœur” reflect the promotional strategy around an album accompanied by a film. The release of Les Sources on November 16, 2018, added to the media attention.
Ultimately, the project remains a notable example of genres meeting and reaching a lasting audience. To follow Nekfeu’s journey further, explore the film Wandering Stars.