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For several weeks now, Aya Nakamura has been receiving an avalanche of criticism. The Franco-Malian singer has been approached to sing at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in July. An announcement that’s causing controversy.

Can you believe Aya Nakamura singing Edith Piaf? Well, it seems that the rumour is true. The singer has been approached to sing at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A rumour that has set the world alight. According to L’Express, the French-Malian singer was invited to the Élysée Palace on 19 February to perform a song by Edith Piaf. However, this is just a rumour. A rumour that quickly turned into a controversy.

On 11 March, the artist was the target of numerous racist attacks from the far right. The Parisian ultra-right group, Les Natifs, took to social networking sites with a banner reading: “There’s no way Aya, this is Paris, not the Bamako market”.

But it’s not just extremist groups that are reacting, it’s political figures too. Éric Zemmour and Marion Maréchal have made fun of the singer’s spelling and language on X.

In response to all these reactions, Aya spoke out without confirming the rumour.

But in addition to the negative criticism, a number of political figures were keen to show their support:

“We were very shocked by the racist attacks against Aya Nakamura in recent days. We offer our full support to the most listened-to French artist in the world”, was the reaction of the Paris Olympic Organising Committee.

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the former French Education Minister, defended the singer in a post on X, singing the song DjaDja during an interview with France 5. The images were relayed and mocked on social networks.

In addition to political figures, many singers such as Dadju, the king of R’n’B in France, were also keen to defend the singer.

On Monday 12 March, the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, reacted at a Senate hearing: “Beware of using pretexts to attack someone for pure racism. Attacking an artist for what she is unacceptable, it’s a crime”.
On Sunday 31 March, Rachida Dati once again reacted to the ongoing controversy. She denounced it as “pure, unadulterated racism”.

But why shouldn’t Aya represent France?

According to a poll carried out by Winimax RTL on March 10, 63% of French people would not want the singer at the opening ceremony. The main argument? She wouldn’t represent French music, not with her style, not with her lyrics, not with her melodies and not with her skin colour. The singer has a style that blends pop, R’n’B and zouk and her lyrics are a mixture of French, Bambara and Ivorian. Could this be the world’s image of France as a cosmopolitan country? Not from the point of view of the far right, anyway.

So why Aya Nakamura?

It seems she’s one of the few people who could represent such an event, because she’s one of the few French personalities to be known internationally. We all remember Rihanna, Sam Smith and Neymar dancing to Djadja.

We also remember that she became the most listened-to artist in the Netherlands, eclipsing Piaf. She’s a hugely successful singer, and she could well bring in a lot of people. She also has many years of experience in the music business, which is a very important criterion according to the French head of state. Of course, there are other French artists with experience and influence. There were several rumours about David Guetta and Daft Punk. But the latter were quick to deny the rumours.

Today, Aya Nakamura seems to be the only one who will be able to take to the stage next July. For the greater misfortune of some or the greater happiness of others.