1995

Named after the era widely regarded as the golden age of Gallic hip-hop, French rap outfit 1995 formed as P.O.S. in the southern suburbs of Paris in 2008 before changing their moniker two years later. Featuring MCs Alpha Wann, Areno Jaz, Fonky Flav', Nekfeu, and Sneazzy West and beatboxer DJ Lo, the group became a constant presence on the city's underground urban scene and co-founded L'Entourage, a collective of rappers, graffiti artists, and filmmakers, before scoring YouTube hits with "Dans Ta Ressoi" and the Craig Mack-sampling "Hi Haters." In 2011, they released their debut EP, La Source, through their own Undoubleneufcinq label and, after pursuing various solo projects, followed it up a year later with La Suite. ~ Jon O'Brien