CANAL+ unveils “Clash,” a series about coupé-décalé filmed in Abidjan and Kinshasa.

CANAL+ Africa is enriching its catalog of original creations with “Clash”, a music series consisting of eight episodes of 52 minutes each, directed by Philippe Lacôte. The broadcast will start on Sunday, August 30, at 8:30 PM on CANAL+ MAGIC, with one episode every week.

This is the first series directed by the Ivorian filmmaker, already known for his feature films Run and The Night of Kings. With “Clash,” Philippe Lacôte chooses the realm of African urban music as the setting for this fiction.

The series tells the story of DJ Shogun and DJ Diamantino, two best friends who achieve success together in the coupé-décalé scene in Abidjan. Their joint rise takes a turn when a manager suggests Shogun pursue a solo career.

The duo falls apart. Diamantino then returns to Kinshasa, and the relationship between the two artists gradually transforms into a musical confrontation. Artistic rivalries, buzz, provocations, and social media now fuel a clash in which each seeks to assert their name and influence.

Between Abidjan and Kinshasa, an immersion into African urban music

Filmed in Abidjan and Kinshasa, “Clash” focuses on the mechanisms of celebrity in the contemporary African music industry. The series particularly explores the competition among artists, the role of managers, the pressure of social media, the creation of buzz, and the personal consequences of a rapid rise.

Philippe Lacôte explains that he wanted to film this story as an “urban legend” dedicated to Ivorian youth and, more broadly, African youth. The director also places the project within the history of coupé-décalé, which emerged in the early 2000s before becoming a cultural phenomenon that transcends the borders of Côte d’Ivoire.

To prepare for the series, the director indicates that he conducted investigative work while relying on real artists and locations to accurately portray the codes of this universe. The cast includes Ange Eric N’Guessan, Arnold Matondo, Jean-Baptiste Lafarge, Serge Kanyinda, France Nancy Goulian, Prudence Maïdou, Mouna Ndiaye, Fanta Doumbia, Stéphy Jeff, and Michel Bohiri. The production involves several African and European companies: Wassakara Productions in Côte d’Ivoire, Banshee Films in France, Monday Films in Ghana, and Kiyo’s Production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The musical aspect is also significant in the project. The series features an original soundtrack composed of eight tracks, specially created for the production by African composers, beatmakers, musicians, and writers. The original music is by Olivier Alary. For Nathalie Folloroux, director of CANAL+ Africa channels, this production aligns with the group’s desire to develop contemporary African series with a high level of production and direction.

“Clash” will air starting August 30, 2026, every Sunday at 8:30 PM on CANAL+ MAGIC.