DAVID BOBEE / JOEYSTARR

This collaboration takes its title from Black Label by Léon-Gontran Damas, a powerful poem of the Négritude movement published in 1956, serving as the gateway to a journey through literature, history, and the world from the perspective of African diasporas. Brought to the stage alongside double bassist and jazz singer Sélène Saint-Aimé and singer-dancer Nicolas Moumbounou, their Black Label retraces the stories of those who fight for true equality, driven by anger and courage. This literary and choreographic performance dives into the heart of past and present anti-racism, from the writings of Afro-descendants to Black Lives Matter, carried by the unparalleled voice of JoeyStarr. Joining them, artist and sign-singer Jules Turlet interprets the entire performance in sign language. JoeyStarr, a lifelong lover of words and a voice for the margins and counterculture, collaborates here for the second time with David Bobée, following the acclaimed Elephant Man in 2019. Known for his socially engaged and multidisciplinary productions, the director continues his long-standing partnership with La Villette, also presenting the play Tragédie this season.

As part of the National day of remembrance for the slave trade, slavery, and their abolition.