Singer Theodora, ultra favorite of the fourth edition of Les Flammes, won five trophies including that of female artist of the year on Thursday in Paris. On the men's side, it was Gims, the most listened to artist in France in 2025, who won the prize for male artist of the year.

Published on: 04/24/2026 - 01:37 Modified on: 04/24/2026 - 08:24

Theodora, new queen of French-speaking pop, triumphed Thursday evening during the 4th edition of the Flammes, rap and popular culture awards, by capturing five trophies, including that of female artist of the year.

She was announced as the ultra favorite and did not prove the predictions wrong: at 22, Theodora also received the awards for album of the year and best new pop album for "Mega BBL". Released in 2025 as a reissue of his first project "Bad Boy Lovestory", it includes collaborations from all walks of life, with Juliette Armanet, Chilly Gonzales and even Jul.

Read alsoThe Franco-Congolese singer Theodora triumphs at the Victoires de la musique française

At La Seine musicale, near Paris, the singer drew a parallel between this initial album, which evokes toxic relationships, and the victims of domestic violence, to whom she wanted to address. “Don’t forget that you can leave, that the door is open,” she said.

She had already been distinguished as a female revelation during the 2025 edition of Les Flammes, in the wake of the “Kongolese sous BBL” hit. She then dedicated her prize to “all the black girls who are a little weird”. A year later, her originality – music, style, committed personality – propelled her even further into the big leagues.

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Gims crowned male artist of the year

On the men's side, the match was more open with experienced nominees like Jul or Hamza. But it was Gims, the most listened to artist in France in 2025, who won the trophy for male artist of the year.

The hit machine ("Ciel", "Ninao") with the inseparable dark glasses does not leave the top of the rankings of streaming platforms and performed several XXL concerts in December, proof of his ability to bring together several generations with effective Afropop music.

At the same time, he put together a strategy designed to be as streamed as possible with “The North Remembers: The Odyssey”. This tactic, an evolving album whose track list changes over the months, earned him the Flame for best album launch strategy. “It shows me that the work has been seen, that the effort has been recognized,” thanked the 39-year-old Congolese artist, in a message recorded because he was absent from the ceremony.

This recognition comes almost a month after his indictment, notably for aggravated money laundering. He was released and placed under judicial supervision as part of this investigation into a vast international money laundering network through real estate investments.

“KYKY2BONDY”, Hamza’s hit, voted song of the year

The result of a public vote combined with the voices of a jury and professionals from the musical world, the Flames rewarded a wide range of artists, including Belgian rapper Hamza for his trap hit "KYKY2BONDY", voted song of the year.

Faces embodying the next generation were also awarded such as the singer Fallon, who fuses RnB and bouyon (Caribbean genre), and the trio of rappers from Ile-de-France L2B, who returned from their first two concerts at the Accor Arena.

Like them, other artists like RnBoi, Bamby and Ronisia performed during this ceremony, in a room designed for the public, with a thousand spectators in the pit.

These awards were designed by the specialized digital media Booska P and the creative agency Yard, with the initial desire to give more visibility to artists who were under-represented at the Victoires de la Musique, but who are now a hit in streaming and in concerts. However, the prize list echoes, in part, that of the last edition of the Victoires, which also rewarded Theodora and Gims.

With AFP

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