Gaël Faye (; born 6 August 1982) is a Rwandan–French singer, songwriter, rapper, and writer.
Personal life Faye was born in Bujumbura, Burundi, of a French father and Rwandan mother. He moved to France at the age of 13, escaping from the Burundian civil war. He studied commerce and later received a master's degree in finance.
He is married and has two daughters. His mother in law is Rwandan Dafroza Gauthier.
Books Faye wrote a novel inspired by his teenage-years' experience of the war in Burundi. Small Country (Petit Pays) was first published in France in August 2016 by Grasset. It won five literary prizes. It has been translated into 36 languages and made into a movie, released in 2020. In August 2024, Faye's second novel, Jacaranda, was published, also by Grasset.
Music In 2010, Faye and Edgar Sekloka released a rap and hip-hop album entitled Milk Coffee and Sugar (also the name of their group).
Faye then released three solo albums and one EP: Pili Pili sur un Croissant au Beurre (2013), Des fleurs EP (2014). Lundi Méchant (2020) and Mauve Jacaranda (2022). Lundi Méchant went gold in 2022.
Film Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2022 Rwanda: Words of Silence Wrote and directed 2024 Savages MC Orangutan Voice role
Awards 2016: Prix du roman Fnac for Petit Pays 2016: Prix du Premier Roman for Petit Pays 2016: Prix Goncourt des Lycéens for Petit Pays 2016: Prix France Culture/Télérama for Petit Pays 2023: The Grand Public Prize at Justice Documentary Festival Paris 2024: Prix Renaudot for Jacaranda
References