Assassin started to take shape in '85 after Solo (who was influenced by break dance) met Rockin' Squat (who leaned towards tagging). Based in the Eighteenth arrondissement of Paris, they weren't very far from their counterparts Joey Starr and Kool Shen, future NTM, with whom in fact they would start to rap.

With a third accomplice, DJ Clyde, Assassin concocted a single in '89 which appeared on a compilation devoted to French rap music. "La Formule Secrète" came out on "Rapatitude" in 1990 with all of the newly known talents of rap, hip hop and French raga: Tonton David, Dee Nasty, and NTM among others.

One year later, Doctor L joined Assassin and became the sound "designer" of the group. A first Maxi "Note mon nom sur ta liste" (Put my name on your list) came out a few months later Bit by bit the very nature of the posse seemed to reveal itself: an uncompromising attitude, biting lyrics (quickly classified hardcore), refusal of the commercial system, denounciation of inequalities, etc. So it was difficult under these conditions to be played on the airwaves, whichever ones. It was without the help of the media that Assassin's first album came out in '92 "Le Futur que nous reserve-t-il?" (What does the future hold for us?) with an oppressive sound without concession. They met with a praise from the underground rap scene, even though the record didn't sell.

1995: The turning point

We had to wait until June 1995 to once again see the posse on board. Besides their participation on the soundtrack of Jean-Francois Richet's film "Etat des lieux"(State of affairs) whose main theme was the suburbs, Assassin came back with a new album called "L'Homicide volontaire"(Murder One). After eight months in the making, it was finally mixed and recorded in Los Angeles. More inspired by other types of music like soul, funk and ragga, this opus was musically more open. The first single "L'Odyssee suit son cours" (The Odyssey follows its course) is followed by the very trenchant "L'Etat assassine" (The State kills) about police brutality which appears on the album "La Haine", a rap compilation which was released at the same time as the film of the same name which was French director Mathieu Kassovitz' second full-length film. 1995 also marked the departure of Doctor L who went from there to explore the vast field of electronic music.

Several maxis would follow such as "Undaground Connexion" recorded with the freestyle New York rapper from Supernatural. In October '96 Assassin released a five-song maxi with "Ecrire contre l'oubli"(Write against oblivion) which concluded the preceding album. The group did a tour of France called "The Homicide tour".

With DJ Clyde and Solo having abandoned ship, Assassin regrouped with Rockin' Squat and Master Madj. Between 1998 and 2000, the group released 3 maxis "Serieux dans nos affaires"(Serious in our business) "Classik" and "Esclave 2000" with their next album in mind. We had to wait until March 2000 to see the arrival of Assassin's new opus "Touche d'espoir"(a touch of hope). The compositions were signed by DJ Medhi, Sulee B, Da Wan, Frank Delour along with many others. Assassin saw itself virtually put out in front of the underground rappers.

After an extensive tour lasting most of 2000, Assassin rounded the year off with a memorable concert at the Elysée-Montmartre on December 18th, where they were joined on stage by an impressive array of guest stars.

Little inclined to great media declarations, this group, classed from the beginning as old school, is in the process of becoming a reference in the French hip hop milieu, hardcore rap version.

December 2000