Aya Nakamura scoops French awards, thanks fans for support over racist abuse

French singer Aya Nakamura confirmed her status as queen of the pop music scene, sweeping three big prizes at Les Flammes awards for rap, R&B and pop on Thursday – where she thanked fans for support over racist attacks following rumours she would perform at the Paris Olympics.

The 28-year-old French-Malian pop star dominated the awards in Paris, winning female artist of the year, pop album of the year and international star of the year.

"I'm very honoured," she said holding one of the trophies. "Being a female artist, and what's more a black artist, and coming from the banlieues (suburbs) is very difficult."

She dedicated the awards "to all the blacks, to all the girls that are watching me" and thanked her fans for "the love and messages of support, despite the controversy and criticism".

Racism row

Nakamura found herself in the midst of a racism row in February after rumours circulated she had discussed singing an Edith Piaf song at the upcoming Paris Olympics during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron said he backed the idea, though it would be up to the artistic director of the opening and closing ceremonies to decide.

A number of far-right and conservative politicians, including Marine le Pen, founder of the National Rally, openly criticised the French-Malian singer and her music.

A small extremist group, the Natives, hung a banner by the River Seine that read: "There's no way Aya. This is Paris, not Bamako market."

That led to the Paris prosecutor opening an investigation for alleged racist abuse against the singer.

Political overtones

The Les Flammes awards were launched last year to showcase rap and other forms of urban music after criticism that the mainstream Victoires de la Musique – the French equivalent of the Grammy awards – lacked diversity.

Thursday's ceremony had a strong political tone.
Comedian Waly Dia denounced "what they've done to Aya this year" in reference to the racism levelled against her, and called out Culture Minister Rachida Dati for not attending the awards.

Questioned over the Nakamura affair on a Friday morning radio show, Dati praised the singer's "immense" talent, saying "she has her place, she's a great artist".

Rapper Médine performed his 2015 hit song Gaza Soccer Beach, dedicating it to Palestinians.

During the performance, the names and ages of children killed in Gaza in Israeli bombardments following the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel appeared on a screen behind him.

"There isn't enough room on these theatre walls to write the names of [all] the 35,000 victims," he said.

Médine, who's taken a strong pro-Palestinian stance, stirred controversy last August after he posted an allegedly antisemitic message on social media.