Ekoué

Ekoué is a French author, rapper, and director known for being a member of the rap group La Rumeur. Born Ekoué Labitey on April 19, 1975, in Villiers-le-Bel, Val-d'Oise, he is the son of a Togolese intellectual who fled to France. Despite initial academic predictions, Ekoué went on to earn a series of academic qualifications, including a master's degree and a Ph.D. He began rapping at the age of 15 and has participated in various musical projects. Ekoué co-founded La Rumeur alongside Hamé, Philippe (Le Bavar), and Mourad, and the group has remained largely underground, focusing on live performances to promote their work.

Musically, Ekoué has released several albums, including *Nord Sud Est Ouest 1er Episode* and *Nord Sud Est Ouest 2ème Episode* with Le Bavar. His involvement in hip-hop is characterized by a strong political consciousness and an emphasis on underground authenticity. He has faced legal challenges for his writings, notably in 2004 when he was sued by the French Ministry of the Interior over an article critical of police practices. Ekoué's artistic endeavors also extend to film, as seen in his collaborative work on *De l'encre*, a TV production exploring authenticity and politics in French rap.