Doc Gynéco

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Doc Gynéco (real name, Bruno Beausir) is a popular French hip hop artist of Guadeloupean origin. His music is typically characterized as a ragga/rap style, that has found its fan base in France. Born in Clichy-sous-Bois in Seine-Saint-Denis, on July 7, 1974, Beausir's mother was antillais and his father white. The latter left them in 1990, and partly as a result of this, Beausir was poor growing up.

[edit] Discography

Doc Gynéco (real name Bruno Beausir) launched his career at the age of 19, writing a few tracks for the hardcore rap group Ministère AMER. After this rap group parted, Virgin Records signed him with the intent of converting his demos into an album in Paris.

This project partially fell through, due to the mediocrity of the resulting work; Doc Gyneco then agreed to leave for Los Angeles to work with a famous American producer, Ken Kessie. The result of this work would be "Première Consultation", released in 1996, which received large media praise and huge success both in France and the world. Singles from the album include "Est-ce que ça le fait?", "Viens voir le docteur", "Dans Ma Rue", "Passements de Jambes", and "Né Ici".

Two years later on the December 1st of 1998 his second album appeared in the shops, entitled "Liaisons Dangereuses". Although the main single -- "C'est Beau La Vie" -- created with the help of a politician (Bernard Tapie) was a flop, the album still sold reasonably well and earned its author even more notoriety.

In the spring of 2001, Doc Gynéco tried to come back at the front of the music scene after a few years of silence with his third creation "Quality Street" . The single "Caramel", the first release from this new album met little success; yet guest stars on the album include the Wu-Tang Clan and Gregory Isaac.

In August of 2002, the 4th album called "Solitaire" came out. This last realization found its audience and gave Doc Gynéco the "Victoire de La Musique" award for "Best hip-hop/rap album of the Year". Singles include "Funky Maxime", "Frotti Frotta", and "Flash".

A collection of his hit singles since the beginning of his career has been released during 2004 (called 'Menu Best-of'); a new album also stands to be released middle of January 2006.

This album proved to be a huge disappointment, to both fans and critics alike. Doc Gyneco was criticized for 'selling out', making this album out of a need for money. The songs, which are compiled in a two-CD album, are different to those of his classic style and lack the quality of both music and lyrics which were apparent in his previous creations.

[edit] Life

Like many French rap artists, his works caused controversy; he was criticized for demeaning the status of women (his name Gyneco comes from Gynecologist), promoting drugs use, and dealing with other sensitive subjects (such as suicide in his song 'Nirvana'.) He stands apart, however, for rarely promoting violence in his works, something that had become a trademark for rap artists in France.

He was part of a movement that popularized rap in the 90's, along with groups such as 'IAM' or 'Suprême NTM' and took it to every home. His laid-back attitude, his style, as well as his appreciation, knowledge and involvement with popular controversial subjects like football, sex or drugs all strongly contributed to his fame, particularly among France's adolescent population. Riding his popularity, his appearance in French television shows became regular, particularly at the start of the new century, using his appearance and style as a catalyst.

Doc Gynéco's personal life remains largely that of a socialite; participating in high-class parties, paying large amounts of money to professional prostitutes (as he has admitted himself)^{[citation needed]}, the popular press often talks about him; in one instance, rumors that the rapper/singer had psychological problems as a result of his marijuana abuse were released^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Politics

In 2001 he claimed to be close to the Socialist Party, but in 2006, he joined the UMP and announced his support for Nicolas Sarkozy in a party meeting in Marseille. ^[1]

Other French rappers have felt betrayed by this announcement; Stomy Bugsy no longer considers Beausir a friend partly because of the support he offered to Sarkozy, a figure often reviled by young people from poor suburbs.^{[citation needed]} The support Doc gives to Sarkozy is the more surprising since his lifestyle seems to be in direct contradiction with the politician's ideas.