NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 09: A gavel sits on the table as New York City Criminal Court Judge Paul McDonnell works remotely from his Brooklyn apartment due to the coronavirus outbreak on April 09, 2020 in New York City. Judge McDonnell, who usually presides over cases in a Manhattan court room, has had to alter his work routine by hearing cases remotely due to the virus outbreak. While Judge McDonnell still works a full day, he has seen a drop in criminal arrests as COVID-19 slows all New York activity. Across the country, the whole legal profession has been forced to find innovative ways to keep the justice system moving as safety concerns continue to prevent large gatherings. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) A French rapper is being investigated over anti-Semitic lyrics in his songs.
The Algemeiner reported that the rapper, Freeze Corleone, released an album on Sept. 11 titled “LMF [The Phantom Menace].” Some of the songs on the album feature lyrics in French that include “Everyday day (nothing to f—) of the Shoah,” “I arrive determined like Adolf [Hitler] in the 1930s,” “Like Swiss bankers, everything for the family so that my children live like Jewish pensioner,” and “every day I f— Israel like I live in Gaza.” Nine lyrics from the album in total had been reported to the Paris public prosecutor’s office, the Associated Press reported.
The album has sold more than 15,000 copies and received more than 5 millions hits on Spotify, according to The Algemeiner.
Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Corleone, born Issa Lorenzo Diakhaté and who lives in Senegal, is being investigated for “inciting racial hatred” in the album.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in a statement that Corleone’s lyrics were “unspeakable,” and urged Facebook and Twitter to not “spread this rubbish.” Additionally, the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) tweeted that “all partner actors to take responsibility” in promoting Corleone’s album.
Algemeiner Editor-In-Chief Dovid Efune similarly tweeted to Spotify, “Dear @Spotify, As French Jews bring in Rosh Hashana, the #3 album on the country’s music charts includes the lyrics ‘F**k the Shoah (Holocaust)!’ and ‘I arrive determined like Adolf.’ It’s attracted 5.2 million listeners on your platform. What say you?”
Dear @Spotify,
As French Jews bring in Rosh Hashana, the #3 album on the country's music charts includes the lyrics “F**k the Shoah (Holocaust)!” and “I arrive determined like Adolf."
It's attracted 5.2 million listeners on your platform.
What say you?https://t.co/xhh9OjLZFT
— Dovid Efune (@Efune) September 17, 2020
Universal Music France announced on Sept. 18 that the record company is dropping Corleone because the album featured “unacceptable racist statements.” Corleone tweeted in response to the move, “Finally free. Thank you to everyone for their support. God will be victorious, we will never give up on this marathon.”
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