MHD’s career has had a meteoric rise. The young rapper, Mohamed Sylla of his real name, began to be interested in music and to write texts in 2010, when he was about fifteen years old. But it was in August 2015 that he posted one of his freestyles on the networks. The video was an unexpected success and was viewed over a million times in 24 hours. The teenager, born in La Roche-sur-Yon (Vendée) but who grew up in a city in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, was spotted by the artistic director of the “Warner” label, who signed him with his house of discs. The following year released his first album, soberly titled “MHD”. A success that will be crowned by a double platinum disc. The artist is at the origin of a new musical style: afro-trap, a mixture of rap and African music.
In 2018, his career exploded. He released a second album, “19”, which also met his audience, and obtained his first film role in the film Besides, by Julian Abraham. He frequents one of the runners-up of Miss France 2017, aims to build an orphanage in the country of origin of his parents, to shoot in the cinema with Daniel Auteuil and to develop his label. But everything stopped in January 2019. He was then arrested, placed in police custody and indicted for the murder of Loïc Kamtchouang, a 23-year-old young man, in the summer of 2018.
Four years later, the rapper, now 28, is on trial for three weeks, starting Monday, before the Paris Assize Court, alongside eight other defendants.
Beating
The facts date back to the night of July 6, 2018. It was around 3 a.m. when the victim, unconscious and seriously injured, was discovered on rue Saint-Maur, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. The firefighters tried to resuscitate him, in vain. His death was recorded at 3:34 a.m. An investigation is opened, entrusted to the police officers of the 2nd judicial police district. They will examine the images captured by the city’s surveillance cameras. They show a Mercedes vehicle hitting the young man who, once on the ground, was beaten up by a dozen people. He receives a shower of kicks, punches and knives. After attacking him, one of his attackers pulls him onto the road to let the car pass, and hits him on the head.
Very quickly, the investigations turned towards the trail of a settling of accounts between rival groups from two districts: the city of Chaufourniers, in the 19th arrondissement, and that of the Grange aux belles, in the 10th arrondissement, to which belonged to Loïc Kamtchouang. Several witnesses to the facts told the police who arrived on the spot that they had formally recognized one of the attackers: MHD. The Mercedes which overturned the victim was found on Saturday July 7, in the early morning, in a parking lot, rue Armand Carrel. The vehicle was set on fire, no doubt to erase all traces of those who used it. But in the passenger compartment, the police discovered several identity photos of Mohamed Sylla as well as a book entitled MHD – Story of Irregular Childhoods.
Puma jogging and bleached hair
On the videos of the assault, the police spot a man with bleached hair and wearing Puma jogging. He designates him as “individual D”. However, the rapper is one of the ambassadors of the sports brand. And it turns out that he recently changed his hair color shade. Arrested and placed in police custody, the artist denies the charges. He admits having bought the German sedan to move around Paris, but affirms that he lends it regularly. He swears not to be “individual D” and not to recognize the murderers of Loïc Kamtchouang. As for the famous Puma jogging, it was not found during the searches. According to him, he would probably have offered it to one of his relatives.
Charged, MHD is remanded in custody. He will be released in July 2020, in the midst of a health crisis, and placed under judicial supervision. The rapper then seems determined to resume the career thread. A year later, in June 2021, he released his third album, Mansa, certified gold. At the beginning of the month of‘august 2023, a few weeks ago he is back with the new title Jungle. Perhaps one of these last pieces before a good time: if he is found guilty on September 22, Mohamed Sylla faces a sentence of thirty years of criminal imprisonment. Contacted by 20 minuteshis lawyer, Me Elise Arfi, indicated that she did not want to speak before the start of the trial.