Calbo, Pioneering French Rapper, Dies at 52

A discreet but essential figure in 1990s rap, Calbo, half of the duo Ärsenik, died at 52.

French rap is in mourning. Calbo, his real name Calbony M’Bani, half of the legendary duo Ärsenik, died at the age of 52 following a long illness. The proclamation was made by his family in a press release published this Sunday afternoon. His death closes a notable page in French rap, that of the 1990s, a golden age where rap wanted to be conscious, demanding, and deeply attached to the work of the text.

An Adventure born in the MJC

Originally from Villiers-le-Bel, in Val-d’Oise, Calbo grew up with his brother Lino in the La Cerisaie district, to which he remained deeply attached.This is where Ärsenik officially formed in 1992, before joining Sector Ä a few years later, alongside Stomy Bugsy, Passi and Doc Gynéco.

“We’ve been doing this rap for a long time in the MJC.When we started getting paid for it, it seemed great. In middle school, in high school, we were already rapping. I started with my brother Lino and my cousin Tony, then a friend, Réty, joined us. Before Ärsenik, we were already touring with a local band and we even managed to play abroad, as far as Hungary,” Calbo told us in an interview.