Photo: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in France · Nationality French — Culture / media / celebrities

Orelsan

Music Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 6 controversies, including “National controversy over « Sale pute » and its misogynistic and violent lyrics” and “Removal from Francofolies line-up following « Sale pute » controversy”.

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Profile No. 1010 · Updated on 12 October 2026

6Documented controversies

11Sources

1Formal charge · all time1 closed without conviction

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2025

Public clash with Kylian Mbappé over lyric targeting management of SM Caen

No legal proceedings

On his album « La Fuite en avant », Orelsan included the line: 'You're going to sink your city like the Mbappés', an allusion to the Mbappé family's management of Stade Malherbe Caen. Kylian Mbappé responded sharply on social media and accused Orelsan of previously trying to acquire a stake without paying.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
TF1 Info« La petite voix » : clash au sommet entre Orelsan et Kylian MbappéMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Le Parisien« Ce que dit la petite voix n'est pas mon avis » : la réponse d'Orelsan sur le clash avec Kylian MbappéMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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2018

Petition calling for withdrawal of his Victoires de la musique awards following 2018 success

No legal proceedings

Following Orelsan's three Victoires de la musique awards in February 2018, a petition called for their withdrawal because of his earlier lyrics considered sexist and violent. A counter-petition subsequently defended the artist and freedom of artistic expression.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Le ParisienOrelsan : pétition, contre-pétition après sa Victoire de la musiqueMediaHigh reliability
[2]
TF1 InfoOrelsan doit-il rendre ses Victoires de la musique ? Une pétition le réclameMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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2013–2016

Convicted in 2013 over certain lyrics, then definitively acquitted on appeal in 2016

Acquitted / conviction overturned

In May 2013, Orelsan received a suspended €1 000 fine for insult and incitement to violence against women over several lyrics performed in concert, including « Saint-Valentin ». Following several procedural stages, the Versailles Court of Appeal ultimately acquitted him on 18 February 2016.

Attribution: Directly implicated
Course of the proceedings: Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

Sources · 2

[1]
Le ParisienLe rappeur Orelsan condamné à une amende avec sursis pour insultesMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Le MondeLe rappeur Orelsan relaxé pour ses textes violents envers les femmesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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2011

Controversy over « Suicide social » and its accumulation of insulting stereotypes

No legal proceedings

In « Suicide social », Orelsan portrays a suicidal narrator who successively attacks numerous social, political, religious and regional groups through stereotypes and insults. The song prompted strong reactions over its provocative character.

State of the evidence: Reported by the press
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Le Parisien« Suicide social » : Orelsan crache son veninMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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2009

National controversy over « Sale pute » and its misogynistic and violent lyrics

No legal proceedings

The song « Sale pute », circulated online before Orelsan's first album, describes a narrator's extremely violent revenge against a former partner. Feminist organisations and politicians condemned what they considered a normalisation of violence against women.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Le MondePolémique autour de la chanson « Sale pute » d'OrelsanMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Le MondeLe rappeur Orelsan « regrette » qu'une de ses chansons ait pu choquerMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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2009

Removal from Francofolies line-up following « Sale pute » controversy

No legal proceedings

The Francofolies de La Rochelle removed Orelsan from their programme in July 2009 amid strong political and campaigning pressure relating to the lyrics of « Sale pute ». The decision reignited debate over artistic freedom and censorship.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Le ParisienLes Francofolies déprogramment OrelsanMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Le ParisienOrelsan : le patron des Francofolies écarte toute pressionMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Kylian Mbappé1 documented reference
- Public clash with Kylian Mbappé over lyric targeting management of SM Caen Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.