SDM | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leonard Beni Mosabu |
| Born | (1995-11-28)28 November 1995 (age 29) Meudon, France |
| Genres | Hip hop,Gangsta rap,Trap |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | 92i, 7 Corp,Capitol Records,Universal Music France |
SDM, pseudonym ofBeni Mosabu (born 28 November 1995 inMeudon), is a Frenchrapper of Congolese descent.
SDM was born inMeudon, to parents ofCongolese descent. He is the youngest of 10 siblings.[1] He spent his adolescence inClamart.[2]
There are no certainties regarding his civil identity. Most sources (including his label,Universal) identify him as Beni Mosabu,[3] others call him Leonard Beni Mosabu,[4] some talk about Leonard Manzambi.[5] Sometimes Sadam or Saddam is found as a middle name, from which his stage name would derive.[6] In the credits of his songs the names Beni Mosabu and Leonard Manzambi often appear side by side.[7]
His father, with whom he did not grow up, was the producer of musical artistKoffi Olomide, as well as part of the entourage of the Congolese singerFally Ipupa, while his mother carries outhumanitarian aid inKinshasa.[2] During his childhood he had the opportunity to discover different musical genres, such asafrobeat,Congolese rumba,rhythm and blues andhip-hop, especially rapper50 Cent.[2]
He was apparently in police custody at the age of 13 for stealing aDomino's Pizzascooter. In the first year of high school he dropped out.[2]
His career as a rapper began in 2011, at the age of 15, with the release of some amateur videos under the pseudonym Sadam Kadafi 92. In some of these videos he rapped with a group of friends, called Microbe Thug'z.[2]
After a few years of break, he returned to making music in 2015, and in 2019 he signed with 432 inc. label. A few months later, he was noticed by rapperBooba, who advertised him on hisInstagram profile.[8] Subsequently, he collaborated withPLK on the songJack Fuego, obtaining his first gold record, and at the beginning of 2020 he signed for 92i, Booba's label, with which he released his songLa zone.[8]
On April 9, 2021, his firststudio album, entitledOcho, was made available. It consisted of 18 titles, including featurings with Booba, Bramsito,Fally Ipupa, PLK andKoba LaD.[9] The album was re-released in December in aDeluxe edition with 10 additional tracks, includingPassat, featuringMaes, which became SDM's first single to reach the diamond certification.[10]
His second album,Liens du 100, was released on December 2, 2022. It contained 16 tracks and featured artists such asGreen Montana,Niska andTiakola.[11] The titleBolide allemand, taken from the album, achieved considerable success, also thanks toTikTok, proving to be, at the end of 2023, the most streamed song of the year in France onSpotify andApple Music, as well as the second most listened onDeezer.[12]
His concert at theOlympia in Paris in April 2023 was considered one of the best of the year in France, and featured numerous successful guests such asLeto, Tiakola, PLK,Guy2Bezbar, Koba LaD,Aya Nakamura, Fally Ipupa, Green Montana, Zed, Zkr and Slkrack.[13]
SDM's distinctive trait is his deep and aggressive voice. His songs are characterized by sharp, spontaneous and allegorical lyrics. He also masters the melody very well.[2]