Editing MC Solaar (section)

===1997–2004: ''Cinquième As'' and ''Mach 6''===
Solaar released ''[[Cinquième As]]'' in 2001, to critical acclaim and ''[[Mach 6 (album)|Mach 6]]'' in 2003. In the album's third track, "Lève-Toi et Rap", Solaar describes his parents' move to France as well as his own roots growing up in [[Villeneuve-Saint-Georges]] and [[Cairo]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/>
Critic [[Dan Gennoe]] attests to Solaar's "flow et vocabulaire" by noting "the flow of his words is staggering, as are the low-slung grooves that they roll to; deftly vaulting all language barriers."<ref>Gennoe, Dan. [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cinquieme-As-Mc-Solaar/dp/B00005OB0K Review: ''Cinquieme As''], [[Amazon.com|Amazon.co.uk]], accessed 20 March 2008.</ref>

In 1998, MC Solaar embarked on a tour beginning at the [[Le Zénith (Paris)|Zénith de Paris]]. The concert he presents is a show with DJs and dancers (as the hip-hop dancer [[Bintou Dembélé]]) which overpasses the musical frame.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2014|title=Un témoignage de Bintou Dembele: S/T/R/A/T/E/S. Trente ans de Hip-Hop dans le corps|journal=Africultures|volume=99 - 100|pages= 250–261}}</ref> The cover of ''Cinquieme As'' depicts Solaar topless, and draws comparisons to captives about to be taken onto a [[slave ship]]. However, a look at the inside cover reveals Solaar to be in a wrestler's costume, along with the other men in the picture.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000062TAK ''Cinquieme As''] at Amazon.com</ref> As Veronique Helenon discusses in her article concerning the French hip hop scene, references to Africa and "blackness" are a very important part of Solaar's music. Solaar recognises and pays tribute to the African presence in France by using boxing and wrestling references. Senegalese boxer [[Battling Siki]] is referenced in the album's booklet. Although Siki won the light heavyweight boxing championship in 1922, he still faced racism from journalists.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> This image combined with songs concerning colonial oppression and the migration experience from Africa to France show Solaar's "blackness," something that is extremely important in the French hip-hop scene. For example, in his song "Les Colonies", Solaar discusses the similarities between the oppression of Africans by colonialists to the modern day exploitation of "third world" countries. "Cinquième As" includes lyrics in French, English, and Spanish, which represents his ideals that rap should be inclusive of all people.<ref name="Age of MC Solaar"/>  In early 2004, his 2001 song "La Belle et Le Bad Boy" was featured on the final episode of the U.S. television series ''[[Sex and the City]]''. The MTV series "The Hills" featured the song as well.