Gaël Faye


Gaël Faye is a Rwandan–French singer, songwriter, rapper, and writer.

Personal life

Faye was born in Bujumbura, Burundi, of a French father and Rwandan mother. He moved to France at the age of 13, escaping from the Burundian civil war. He studied commerce and later received a master's degree in finance.
He is married and has two daughters.

Books

Faye wrote a novel inspired by his teenage-years' experience of the war in Burundi. Small Country was first published in France in August 2016 by Grasset. It won five literary prizes. It has been translated into 36 languages and made into a movie, released in 2020. In August 2024, Faye's second novel, Jacaranda, was published, also by Grasset.

Music

In 2010, Faye and Edgar Sekloka released a rap and hip-hop album entitled Milk Coffee and Sugar.
Faye then released three solo albums and one EP: Pili Pili sur un Croissant au Beurre, Des fleurs EP. Lundi Méchant and Mauve Jacaranda. Lundi Méchant went gold in 2022.

Film

Awards