Virtuoso Pianist Sofiane Pamart: From Conservatory to Rap Collaborations

The piano has no secrets for Sofiane Pamart. Enrolled in the conservatory at the age of 7 by his mother, a literature teacher, he has become a virtuoso pianist. "My mother has always believed in us (EDITOR’S NOTE Sofiane has a younger brother and sister who have also gone through the conservatory). It’s like a contract we made with our parents: their sacrifice is unlimited, but in return we must go as far as possible in what we have chosen, and be the best at what we do," he tells France info.

At home, young Sofiane listened to all kinds of music. "Both classical music and French variety, Moroccan traditional music, raï, and even a little rap thanks to an uncle. My father also loves Brel and Ferré, and I love the passion of those voices," says the one whose maternal grandfather, of Berber origin, had left southern Morocco for northern France where he had worked in the mines.

According to him, his Berber nomadic origins give him a sense of freedom and travel. After the conservatory, this unconventional globetrotter has managed to establish himself on the French-speaking musical chessboard. He has collaborated with rappers like Vald, Kery James, SCH, Médine, Grand Corps Malade, Demi-Portion, Laylow, Dinos or Scylla (with whom he has made two albums). "What I like about rap and rappers is the spontaneity. We don’t go to school to learn to rap and that creates something very direct in the emotion. We are in pure, raw expression. That has really helped me in my way of telling things without a filter with my piano," he analyzes, adding that his natural energy is very close to that of rappers. He has also collaborated with the singer Kimberose, "one of the most beautiful soul voices right now," and with the electronic collective Bon Entendeur.

These collaborations have been successful. In 2019, he obtained two gold singles, one for his composition of the title Matin by Koba LaD ft. Maes, the other for his composition of the title Journal Perso II by Vald. He also obtained the gold records for the two albums on which these titles appear, as well as the platinum record for the album L’Affranchi by Koba LaD. He has two solo albums to his credit: Planet released in 2020 and Planet Gold a musical journey in 18 stops (12 + 6 with the reissue of "Planet") in 2021. After these two concerts in two Salle Pleyel, the piano virtuoso is giving an appointment to his fans at the Accor Arena on November 17, 2022. A first for a pianist. Sofiane’s dream is to become "the world’s number one pianist".

Sofiane Pamart - Medellin