The new generation of french pop is female

They are called Miki, Helena, Iliona or even Camille Yembe, and they are the new faces of French-speaking pop who defy the constraints of the genre and at the same time patriarchy. They dare to use raw lyrics that evoke both the search for self and the pressure of the summer body on beats that are sometimes danceable, sometimes nonchalant. A "female gaze" that brings a breath of fresh air to the music scene, redrawing the contours of a sensitive, poetic and free pop. The first, Miki, a French-Korean singer, has been on the rise since her hit accompanied by her music video Échec et mat released in the summer of 2024. The 26-year-old who writes and produces her own songs, opens her heart on strong subjects, not to be taken lightly. Mikaela, her real name, released her first EP Graou on March 7th and has since been making numerous television appearances. We could see her notably on Quotidien alongside Yann Barthès where her performance of Scorpion ascendant scorpion impressed the public. Her nonchalant air, mixing raw and funny lyrics on addictive compositions make Miki an artist to watch.

On the Belgian side, Helena, a former contestant on Star Academy, has been making noise for some time. The young artist became known thanks to her journey in the emblematic castle where she reached the gates of the final. Her emotionally charged performances marked the viewers who will follow her even after the end of her adventure in the talent show. To the great joy of her fans, the young woman from Braine-l'Alleud released her first album entitled Hélé just a few weeks ago. Tracks such as Summer Body, which she co-wrote, were a hit thanks to the transparent lyrics in which young women can recognize themselves. Another artist from the flat country who is making a name for herself is Camille Yembé. Her universe is a mix of rock, rap, electro and pop. The singer-songwriter made a strong impression with her first solo Plastique, released last December, where her poignant voice rests on a slick production with a strong message about self-acceptance. This summer, she will be performing at several festivals including We Love Green in Paris on June 8th.

The new female artists are also those revealed by social networks. This is the case of Iliona, a singer-songwriter-producer who was spotted thanks to her YouTube videos. In these, she shared her compositions that she created from A to Z from her bedroom: lyrics, musical production, video editing. Afterwards, it was her track Moins Joli, released in 2020, that allowed the young woman from Brussels to become known to the general public. Since then, she has been doing concerts, television appearances and released her first album What If I Break Up With U? just a month ago. Her minimalist style, accompanied by a few simple chords, continues to touch the audience. A success story reminiscent of Angèle, who recently unveiled A Little More, a song written for the launch of a new edition of Chanel's Chance perfume. The Belgian superstar also became known thanks to her videos on social networks, in which she posted acapella covers.

Today, the Belgian artist is not only a Chanel ambassador, but also a confirmed hitmaker, lining up successes — including one in a duet with Dua Lipa — and establishing herself as an essential artist of her generation. This new female generation does not seek to please — it seeks to say, to shock sometimes, to heal often. By embracing their vulnerability, their anger, their humor too, these artists are redefining the codes of a French-speaking pop long dominated by male gazes. They sing fear, desire, shame and joy without filter, in an uninhibited, mixed, modern language. And that is undoubtedly where their strength lies: in this ability to touch the intimate while resonating with the universal. French-speaking pop is no longer emerging: it is here, powerful, alive, and above all, it is feminine.