Népal

Népal, born Clément Di Fiore in Paris on October 12, 1990, was a French rapper and beatmaker who became one of the most respected voices in the French underground scene before his death on November 9, 2019, at the age of 29. A member of the collective 75ème Session and the group Les Gars Laxistes, he also produced under the alias KLM and formed the duo 2Fingz with fellow rapper Doums, releasing two projects together in 2011 and 2013. His writing was known for its dense, literary style, dark introspection and technical rigor, setting him apart in a scene often focused on more commercial sounds.

Népal released his debut solo project, «16par16», composed entirely of B-sides, in 2014, followed by the ambitious double EP «444 Nuits» in 2016, issued in two color-coded versions with a limited physical pressing. That same year he gained wider recognition for his acclaimed verse on «Esquimaux», featured on Nekfeu's second studio album, which introduced his style to a much larger audience. He continued to build his catalog with releases exploring themes of mortality, ambition and urban life, cementing a reputation as a rapper's rapper within French hip-hop.

His sudden death in 2019 was met with an outpouring of tributes from across the French rap community, reflecting the depth of his influence despite a relatively compact discography. Songs like «Trajectoire», «Babylone» and «Sundance» remain touchstones of his work, admired for their intricate wordplay and moody, atmospheric production.