French rapper Disiz, born Serigne M’baye Gueye, received the award for Male Artist of the Year at the 41st Victoires de la Musique ceremony in Paris on Friday, February 13, 2026. The win marks his second victory in the category, following a previous award in 2005 for his album Les Histoires extraordinaires d’un jeune de banlieue.
Accepting the award, Disiz reflected on the evolution of recognition for rap music within the French music industry. He recalled his initial win two decades prior, noting the category at the time – “Rap, ragga, world music” – felt overly broad and suggested a marginalization of the genre. “It felt like I was the Collectif Métissé all by myself,” he said onstage, referencing the French world music group. He continued, stating that the categorization implied artists weren’t seen as unique individuals, but rather as representatives of a stylistic niche.
Disiz, who has spoken publicly about undergoing therapy, framed the current award as holding a different significance. “Receiving this prize today doesn’t have the same meaning,” he stated. “It’s not an achievement, but a symbol, a further milestone in breaking down prejudices about success.”
The artist emphasized the collective nature of his success, stating, “I’ve never liked making music alone. That’s why this victory is obviously collective.” Disiz began his career as part of the group Rimeurs à gages in the mid-1990s.
The award comes on the heels of the success of his 14th studio album, the title of which he joked would likely be forgotten, but which has nonetheless propelled him to six sold-out concerts at the Olympia concert hall in Paris. Disiz first gained prominence in the early 2000s with his single “J’pète les plombs.” According to web sources, he has released albums through a variety of labels including Barclay, Def Jam, Lucidream, Polydor, Sublime and Universal Music France.
Disiz, also known as Disiz La Peste and Disiz Peter Punk Inspecteur Disiz, is a multi-faceted artist, working as a rapper, singer, composer, actor, and writer. He appeared in the 2005 film Dans tes rêves, playing the role of Ixe, a young rapper pursuing his ambitions.
