Seth Gueko

Seth Gueko, real name Nicolas Salvadori, born 27 October 1980 in Pontoise, is a French rapper. Or rather a “Barlou”: a ruffian in all his glory… a true state of mind that cultivates difference, living on the fringes, resourcefulness… and tattoos too!

Over time it has become a genuine community, bringing together everyone who refuses to follow the rules blindly without thinking, and who backs the Barlou “in chief”, the general, Mister Seth Gueko.

With more than 13 projects to his name and hundreds of collaborations, Seth Gueko has nothing left to prove. A key figure of French independent rap, he made his mark with landmark albums such as Michto or Bad Cowboy.

He mixes deadpan humour and provocation to create a unique style, both offbeat and authentic. He has no need for cheap provocations or artificial buzz to exist: his identity is enough.

A true Géo Trouvetou of languages and expressions, Seth Gueko, much like Alex leDroug, the tragic hero of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, skilfully blends underworld slang, louchebem (the butchers’ argot), verlan and the manouche of travelling people.

With a streetwise, cheeky Parisian titi style reminiscent of Michel Audiard, his universe is packed with references drawn from pop culture. To begin with, his stage name is inspired by the character Seth Gecko in Roberto Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn (Une nuit en enfer).

Over the years, the Gueko has reinvented himself and shaped a unique persona, drawing on the worlds of Emir Kusturica, Jack Nicholson, vampire and zombie films, or his friend JoeyStarr.

Not to mention the influence of Von Dutch-style Kustom Kulture, with Harleys and hot rods with immensely powerful engines. Add to that the mythology of tattooing, a touch of slightly macho X, plenty of barlous and a good dose of destruction… That is Seth Gueko.