One Hand Washes the Other: Alpha Wann's album finally certified Gold!

Une main lave l'autre ( or UMLA) is the debut album by Alpha Wann. It was on September 21, 2018 that this long-awaited first album was released. Indeed, more than 2 years after the release of the album, the project has just been certified gold. At a time of streaming, where certifications fall in spades for artists (Ninho in the lead), we are entitled to wonder how UMLA, which is considered one of the best albums of 2018, took so long to reach this distinction. Focus! 

A highly anticipated album

"Very unlikely that I will type a turntable, I have to make a classic". Here we are warned of the ambitions of rapper Alpha Wann. It was not until December 21, 2018 that he released his first album. The Parisian rapper has been able to cultivate the expectation around him and refine his style at the same time. After remarkable appearances with his collective L'entourage, the public logically expected a solo project from the Don. However, he only had to settle for 3 (very good) EPs by the name of Alph Lauren before UMLA saw the light of day. This expectation can be explained in several ways. First, it was probably because he felt it was not the right time. He preferred to take care of the substance and the form rather than release an album too early and not enough completed. Secondly, it is also because of the fiasco that was the first album of his friend Sneazzy. Indeed, Super, Sneazzy's first album was very poorly received by critics. So much so that Sneazzy had to take a break to come back better. Patience is golden and that, Alpha has understood.

A discreet promotion

When an artist releases a project, whatever it is, he wants as many people as possible to know. Logic. Several processes are made available so that the artist can express himself and "defend" his work. Interviews, social networks media … Plethora of necessary supports to promote his project. However, some artists operate at odds with these classical methods. In rap, artists like PNL have proven that silence and media absence can be just as strong (or even stronger) than well-conducted communication. Alpha Wann applies the same principle: almost empty social networks and he has given only one interview for the media Yard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yHyfcgLfgU Incoherent, given the expectation aroused by the album, the rapper must surely have had the choice among a multitude of proposals. However, it is honourable of him. He is one of those artists who prefer to let art speak for itself. Perhaps he feels he has already said everything in his sounds. However, it's a shame for his audience who would have liked to hear the rapper express himself on the making of his album.

An incomplete tracklist

Alpha Wann is a rapper close to Nekfeu. The two have collaborated a lot and their duets are very appreciated by the public. As we know, Nekfeu has become one of the headliners of French rap. Each of his appearances featuring creates a craze. Indeed, the albums Masque blanc by S.Pri Noir or Nuit by Jazzy Bazz share a common point: A featuring with Nekfeu. The most interesting thing about this information is that, systematically, the songs in which Nekfeu appears are the most streamed titles of the projects. Imagine the impact the album could have had if the two artists had collaborated. The most frustrating thing is that a featuring was initially planned on the title cryptic language, but the verse of Nekfeu was removed because it did not correspond to the theme of the song. In addition, a featuring with Ateyaba (formerly Joke) was also planned! As a reminder, the last project of Ateyaba dates from 2014. The featuring was finally not retained. How many artists can afford to delete featurings as precious as these two? Not much… His goal was therefore to make his album live in its entirety and not to have an album carried by one or two tantalizing featurings.

A true consecration

Ah, the gold record! This famous certification so coveted by artists. It is reached when the album passes the 50,000 sales mark. Even if the number of sales in no way reflects the quality of a work or the talent of the artist, this consecration still demonstrates a certain recognition and support from the public. Many listeners were waiting for the announcement of the gold record. Maybe even more than Alpha himself. It only took one announcement from the media Midi Minuit , which claimed that there were only a few streams left to Une main lave l'autre to be officially certified gold, for the propaganda to get underway. Listening to the album has risen considerably. One of the strengths of Don Dada is that it has a strong and dedicated audience.

Next king without a crown

"I'm not a winner, talking about winning is talking about a license to a minor" This is Alpha Wann's thought. Aware of his abilities but affected by a Jonah complex, he is totally resigned to the idea of shining, of "winning" as he says. And finally, it may not be so dramatic. Despite the deliberate inconsistencies in terms of communication, UMLA is definitely a very good album that will improve over time like a good wine. His story could be related to the famous "Kings without crowns" of French rap. Indeed, a king without a crown is an artist who had an impact in rap and a great success of esteem but not commercial success because of the fall of the record industry in the 2000s. We can mention artists like Nessbeal or Salif. Even if he does not meet the success of the current headliners of rap, he is in the hearts of many rap fans. Often categorized as "the favorite rapper of rappers", we will mention his name when we list the best French rappers of the decade 2010. Finally, Alpha Wann is a complex artist and his work is just as complex. Indeed, Une main lave l'autre received rave reviews but saw its commercial impact only 2 years later. He favored art and substance over form. He has refined his pen over the projects and delivered a more than successful project that is worth listening.