« C’est nous le Grand Paris »: quand les imaginaires du rap retravaillent les dynamiques métropolitaines de la région parisienne

French rap songs and music videos often convey strong geographical imaginaries: many are dedicated to specific neighbourhoods, cities and urban regions, and some artists even assert to “represent” them. These performances have had an impact on the places portrayed by rappers. Using investigations carried out in the Parisian region in the 2010s, this presentation will show how rap music influences a specific movement going on in this urban area: namely “Greater Paris”. Thanks to an analysis of a specific work, the “Grand Paris” music video by rapper Médine, I will show how rappers do challenge the urban dynamics of the Parisian region, reversing the dominant hierarchy between the different areas of the metropolis. Then, I will observe how these imaginaries are reused in urban and cultural projects, showing how rap music has been used as a tool to contribute to debates linked to the Greater Paris movement. Therefore, through the example of music, this paper will highlight the role fictional works can play in the construction of urban territories.