“The stage is only happiness”: quadriplegic rapper, Gino releases his first album

Disability? Only one song in his repertoire deals with the subject. It is precisely this song, “Ballerina”, which allowed him to expose his talent for rapping to the ears of the inhabitants of his town of Saint-Avold (Moselle).

Since January 10, Gino, a 26-year-old young man suffering from arthrogyposis, has felt like he has reached a personal milestone. Quadriplegic since childhood due to this rare congenital disease which affects muscles and joints, he has marked on his calendar a date that is close to his heart: March 13 which will mark the release of his first EP of five songs.

“Let him take advantage of the moment without losing sight of the fact that nothing is won in advance”

Because yes, Gino, his stage name, intends to take the expression of his talent to the highest level in music and writing, strongly nourished by rap since a young age. And we readily guess from hearing him that extending this experience with a long-term career would not displease him, even if he still considers himself “only at the beginning of the adventure”.

In front of nearly 900 people gathered in the concert hall of the town of the coal basin, he lit up the last evening of the “Telethon” revealing himself to those who did not yet know him.

Black glasses and cap screwed on his head, this bachelor who studied at the Faculty of Law of Nancy and in IUT Marketing Techniques, today hears those close to him inviting him to “not have any illusions” about an inherently uncertain musical future. “He must take advantage of the moment without losing sight of the fact that nothing is a foregone conclusion,” warns his mother.

“Falsely light” texts

The release of his album, available for streaming on platforms, is first and foremost the result of intense work carried out with David, his manager. The latter was his AESH (supporter for students with disabilities) during his school career, before gradually supporting his development.

Learning an instrument was complicated for him due to his illness, Gino quickly turned to the computer and writing numerous songs, after having nourished his passion at the Folschviller music school. “This EP project has evolved often,” explains David, his agent. But Gino managed to define a personal style.”

Writing? “To find inspiration, it’s not difficult,” confides the Moselle artist, wishing to remain discreet about his family and personal life. “You just need to be interested in current issues. There is nothing equivalent,” he smiles.

“It all starts by watching the film Intouchables”

Gino also evokes the conscious and the introspective with texts that are sometimes serious, sometimes “falsely light because of a second meaning”. “The scene involves a lot of apprehension beforehand, five seconds of hesitation for the first words, finding the right tempo with the music. And, when it starts, it’s just happiness. »

In the family neighborhood, where the family of Flora Pili, the world professional boxing champion, lives nearby, Gino sometimes talks about his journey with those around him. Since his performance in Saint-Avold, he has increased his contacts and will perform again in December 2026 for the Telethon. The release of the EP will allow him, he hopes, to validate a current media craze in view of concerts. “It all started while watching the film Intouchables in 2011,” says Gino. I said to David: But that’s our story! »