All kinds of music have always been supported around here. There are those who prefer a quiet afternoon with reggae in the background, those who spend 12 hours dancing to heavy techno, and even those who—without knowing a single word of the language of Shakespeare—are absolute Britpop scholars. You can’t judge anyone; we’ve always listened to a bit of everything. We grew up on Estopa, Ska-P, Iron Maiden, and even Frank-T. Zero musical culture? Maybe. A broad sound spectrum? Definitely.

Without a doubt, one of the genres that defined our childhood (and our adulthood) was rap. Over the years, through various friendships, we had the chance to delve into French rap—a style that has unquestionably soundtracked many of our stories. From over there, tracks by Suprême NTM and IAM reached our hands like a tidal wave of culture. Later on, many others hit our ears: Booba, Kery James (Keni Ankara), SCH, Marwa Loud, JUL, Niska, Vegedream, and even Aya Nakamura performing at the Fête de l’Huma (yeah, wild times).

Among the infinite list of French rappers, far from being the most famous, there’s one who has always resonated with us. He might not boast the biggest stream counts or sell out stadiums. He certainly doesn’t spend his holidays in Dubai or invoice millions. He comes from the streets of Paris, and that’s where he draws his inspiration. After years of listening to him through our headphones and having crossed paths with him in a certain Parisian bar, Costa BLF is dropping by our blog today.

Let’s start from the beginning. Who is Costa? How was the artist behind the person born?

I chose Costa as my stage name because it’s my real first name, and I express myself as who I am. I don’t try to play a character, and I try to be as authentic as possible—even if I might exaggerate a few traits now and then, haha. The artist and the person are essentially the same; playing a role would just trigger too much schizophrenia in me.

Everyone wonders: what does BLF stand for?

I don’t know if everyone wonders, haha, but it stands for “Baise Les Fafs”—meaning “Fuck the Fascists.” It was always there at the start of my career, but today I rap simply as Costa, without the BLF, because what I talk about and who I am represent something broader than just that. It’s like my surname: sometimes people say the whole thing, but often just the first name.

You’ve never hidden it. Your connection to AFA Paris (an antifascist activist collective in Paris) has been front and center in hundreds of photos and several music videos where AFA flags are clearly visible. How did your relationship with them start?

AFA Paris is an antifascist group from Paris with whom I maintain a close relationship, just as I do with any autonomous Parisian antifascist movement. As an individual, I support what they do, so representing that in my videos feels only logical.

In fact, many people associate you with antifascism and ultra culture. Do you think rap is the best tool today to keep alive the values that, in our opinion, society should hold?

I don’t think rap is the best medium, but it’s the domain I master the most, which is why I try to represent those values within it. I believe we should all try to uphold these values in the fields we operate in and love; for me it’s rap, for someone else it’ll be another space.

In many of your music videos, police repression is omnipresent. How does that affect you on a personal level?

I don’t think I suffer all that much from police repression directly: I’m white and I don’t come from the suburbs (banlieue). However, I observe it around me daily in Paris—whether through those close to me, stories I’m told, at demonstrations, or in the streets of the capital every single day. So it ends up affecting me mentally without me being the primary target.

In today’s music industry, where follower counts take precedence over everything else, we’ve seen that you’ve always taken a stand on social issues (whether by flying antifascist flags in your clips as mentioned, or showing solidarity with various causes, such as the murder of Nahel, for example). Why do you think taking a stance is important given your platform?

Taking a stance doesn’t stop you from building a music career. It’s true it can close doors, so it might take longer. We have plenty of examples like Médine or 2L. I try to take a position without sacrificing musical quality and flow, because I love rap and good music just as much as I love antifascism. It’s important to make our ideas accessible and stylish.

Several familiar settings feature in your videos, like the streets of Ménilmontant. During our visits to Ménil’ and our long nights at Saint-Sauveur (RIP), you could often be seen hanging around the neighborhood. What does this neighborhood in northern Paris mean to you? Why is it important to your music career?

This neighborhood was crucial in shaping who I am as a person, not just as an artist. I’ve been hanging out there since I was 15; all my adventures started there. The area’s social mix and the people from diverse backgrounds I’ve met there really shaped how my worldview evolved.

One of the most striking things about your tracks is your wardrobe. Stone Island, C.P. Company, Fred Perry… Few musicians have more style than you. In every clip you wear a standout piece. What is your relationship with clothes? What does wearing these brands mean to you?

Haha, thanks for the compliment! To me, clothing is a medium of expression. The color, the fabric, the subcultural codes the style belongs to… we express so much through what we wear, whether we mean to or not. Casual style is part of my identity; I love it because, depending on what piece you throw on and how you combine it, you can blend in anywhere. It’s not just a garment—it’s an entire culture and lifestyle that I’m wearing.

Unfortunately, with the rise of social media, we see DJs, singers, football managers, and even actors wearing Massimo Osti’s creations. Dropping €200 on a jacket obviously doesn’t change their lives, but how do you think this culture can remain accessible to working-class people?

It’s true that nowadays everyone wears Stone Island and C.P. Company, and it’s also become insanely expensive. I never buy new—always second-hand. Given the quality of the garments, they last a very long time, and consuming this way also goes against fast fashion. I also recommend stealing whenever you can, haha!

Speaking of details, we can’t overlook your visual aesthetic. Many of your designs are done by Julien Kudic, if we’re not mistaken. How important is the visual aspect of your projects to you?

The visual side is extremely important to me, precisely because it shouldn’t be neglected given the ideas we want to convey. How can you expect to deliver a meaningful message if the medium isn’t right? The visual aspect is the first thing the listener sees; if it doesn’t catch their eye, they’ll never go looking for the deeper message. Julien Kudic is one of the best at what he does, and it’s a pleasure working with him; he manages to capture all my ideas and blend them with his own.

Let’s talk football. Many of your projects feature references to that classic football we miss so much. What has football represented in your life, and how is it reflected in your art?

Football has always been present in my life—I even wanted to go professional, like many kids, haha. A huge culture emanates from the sport, whether on the pitch with the players’ style and kit designs, or in the stands with ultra culture. Being a kid of the 2000s, my music and aesthetic are packed with references from that era.

Modern football—the game we unfortunately deal with today—is far removed from the everyday fan. Even though we can guess, we want to hear it straight from you: which team has your heart?

HAHAHAHA. PSG, obviously—especially recently since Mbappé left. But my true team of heart is Greece 2004. Ronaldinho’s Barça used to drive me crazy too.

Being a PSG fan is complicated, to say the least. How do you navigate the contradiction between supporting PSG and all the criticism the club receives for being one of the biggest symbols of modern commercial football since Nasser Al-Khelaïfi took control?

It’s true that I support PSG, but I’m not involved at an ultra level and I rarely go to the stadium. I think all clubs are entangled in corporate football, and the strength of the ultras also lies in acting as a barrier against purely commercial decisions made by the club—as has been the case from the start. So, both sides have had opposing goals for a long time now. It’s not uncommon for friction to exist between supporters and the board. Ultimately, ultras support a city, not the corporate management representing it.

Have you had the chance to follow your team across France and abroad? Which stadium has impressed you the most—not for its luxury, but for the intensity and style of its fans?

I’ve had the chance to go to several matches, both home and away. The one I remember most vividly was in Turin for the Champions League. The Parisian away sector sang so loudly throughout the entire match that the other fans were stunned. But I have to admit, the best away-day atmosphere so far was the Rayo vs. Strasbourg match.

Have you ever traveled with another team outside your city?

Yeah, I’ve gone to several matches whenever the opportunity arose. I can’t name one in particular, haha, but the latest to date was that one with Rayo—and it was easily one of the best!

A few months ago, you were featured on Seth Gueko’s Titi Parisien 2, where a customized version of the PSG shirt was featured. We’ve also seen live show visuals where you rocked Ronaldo’s iconic haircut. Why did you choose this style for your tracks?

Like I said before, my music and I are one and the same. Therefore, it makes total sense for me to represent the culture I grew up in, and football held a massive place in my life.

Speaking of football shirts and their uses: the Blokecore movement (wearing classic football shirts as fashion) has jumped from the streets to the runways. Does it bother you to see terrace wear adopted by people who have never set foot in a stadium, or do you think it helps spread the culture?

I didn’t know this movement had a name, haha. I think that, unfortunately, regardless of one’s opinion on it, it’s unavoidable. Fashion has always fed off subcultures to decontextualize them. The only thing you can do is keep wearing the clothes as usual within the subculture and make those who dilute it feel like outsiders to the movement. Blokecore isn’t the worst offender because, inherently, people have always worn football shirts outside the stands—for sports or just lounging at home on Sundays.

If you had to pick an outfit to go to the stadium this weekend in 2026, what would be the essential piece?

An Aquascutum scarf.

What’s that “go-to” piece in your wardrobe that you’ll never stop wearing, regardless of years and trends?

The Stone Island x Nike trench/manager parka.

If you could pick one footballer (retired or active) to feature in your next music video, who would best fit the “Costa” aesthetic?

Éric Cantona.

What does “Awaydays” (that widely used Anglo-Saxon concept) mean to you? Has any particular away match inspired a specific track?

To me, Awaydays means “a break from real life.” It’s like stepping away from your problems and focusing on nothing but the present moment.

People say “modern football is rubbish.” As an artist, what do you miss most about 90s football, and how do you try to channel that through your aesthetic?

What I miss most is the unapologetic aesthetic—it was less sanitized—and the fact that there were more technically gifted players. Nowadays, footballers are complete conditioning athletes; speed and physical prowess take precedence over everything else. So, I try to be a technical rapper with a strong, unapologetic visual identity, haha.

Back to current affairs. Will we see collaborations with clothing brands, or do you prefer to maintain complete independence?

It depends on the brand—why not!

In a world of algorithms and fast fashion, what message do you have for young people seeking authenticity in the overlap of football, clothes, and music?

It might sound cliché, but put your phone down, head to the stadium with your mates, and live real moments out there; at the end of the day, that’s all you really keep with you.

Finally, Costa: if we were to drop an exclusive garment inspired by your universe, what key element or detail couldn’t be missing for you to wear it yourself?

That’s pretty tough to answer off the top of my head, but I’d say a built-in balaclava in the hood! A must-have for the city.

The floor is yours to leave us with whatever’s on your mind.

Thank you for keeping this culture alive. Much love to you all!