Elle et l'autre

Elle et l'autre (Her and the other) is a sociologically charged track where Jul explores the duality of women in his environment, using them as archetypes to discuss broader themes of innocence versus corruption, and stability versus the street life.

The Archetype of "Elle" (The Ideal): "Elle" represents the "femme de valeur" often praised in traditional rap narratives. She is characterized by cleanliness, natural beauty, and moral uprightness (no smoking or drinking). She is protected by her family ("Papa qui tient la poussette") and retains a level of emotional vulnerability. For Jul, she symbolizes a life he perhaps admires or desires—one free from the stains of the "ghetto" life.

The Archetype of "L'autre" (The Reality): "L'autre" serves as a foil, representing the "cagole" or the girl deeply entrenched in the harsh realities of the neighborhood. Her life is defined by vices, materialism, and the penal system. Jul's depiction of her is harsh but rooted in observation; she is "abandoned," suggesting her hardened exterior and bad choices (drugs, prison visits) are consequences of a lack of support. The line "L'autre c'est tout c'qu'elle peut donner" (The other, that's all she can give) implies a tragic acceptance of her limitations.

The Narrator's Position: While the narrator explicitly states "J'aime celle qui..." (I like the one who...), favoring the clean and natural girl, the song acknowledges the existence of both within his world. It reflects a common dilemma in the genre: the tension between wanting a partner who represents purity and stability while being surrounded by, and perhaps culturally tied to, the chaotic elements represented by "The Other."

The song presents a sharp, detailed contrast between two different women who occupy the narrator's thoughts or life, referred to simply as "She" (Elle) and "The Other" (L'autre). The lyrics unfold as a series of direct comparisons that weigh their behaviors, hygiene, values, and social standings against each other.

The narrator begins by expressing a clear physical preference for "She," describing her as fresh, smelling of soap from the shower, and naturally beautiful without the need for makeup. In stark contrast, "The Other" is depicted with visceral repulsion; she is described as having bad breath, being a moocher ("gratte"), and lying about her purity despite being metaphorically "ancient." This dichotomy sets the stage for a deeper exploration of their lifestyles.

"She" is portrayed as a woman of discipline and innocence. She exercises ("goes for a run"), avoids vices like alcohol and drugs, and has a supportive family structure where her father still looks out for her. Her emotional world is tender; she cries when a relationship ends, and her charm lies in her inherent beauty. She represents a sheltered, perhaps "ideal" path—she isn't allowed out late and stays away from the trouble of the streets.

Conversely, "The Other" embodies the chaos and grit of the "tieks" (neighborhood/hood). She prefers gossiping and idleness over self-improvement. Her life is entangled with the criminal justice system, wasting her time in prison visiting rooms ("parloirs") and valuing material status symbols like a "kitted T-Max" scooter over genuine connection. She consumes alcohol and cannabis, drives without a license, and is financially independent but struggling, paying her own debts without a safety net. The song ultimately paints a tragic picture of "The Other" as someone hardened by abandonment and the streets, offering only what little she has left, while "She" remains a symbol of preserved grace and potential.

Elle et l'autre was released on December 2, 2016, as part of Jul's sixth studio album, L'Ovni. This album is considered a landmark in Jul's career, cementing his status as a French music phenomenon shortly after he launched his own label, D'Or et de Platine.

The song was produced by Jul himself, characteristic of his high-volume, self-sufficient workflow. Known for his incredible productivity, Jul reportedly recorded the album in a "planetary" mode, embracing the "alien" (Ovni) persona. L'Ovni was a massive commercial success, reaching Diamond status in France. While tracks like "Tchikita" garnered the most mainstream attention from the album, "Elle et l'autre" became a fan favorite for its storytelling and relatable depiction of relationship dynamics in the the quartiers (hoods) of Marseille. The track was later released as a single and received a music video in March 2017, further boosting its popularity.

The song employs a simple, repetitive AABB or ABAB rhyme scheme, which is characteristic of Jul's accessible songwriting style. The rhymes are often perfect rhymes (e.g., douche/bouche, cavaler/parler) which makes the lyrics incredibly catchy and easy to memorize.

Rhythmically, the lyrics are delivered in a steady, trochaic-like meter that locks in with the 4/4 beat. The phrasing is short and punchy, often ending on the downbeat, which reinforces the declarative nature of the comparisons. The contrast in the lyrics is mirrored by the relentless, driving rhythm of the instrumental, pushing the song forward without pause.

Musical Style: The track features Jul's signature "Marseille bounce"—an uptempo, danceable beat (often around 140-145 BPM) that contrasts with the somewhat melancholic or critical lyrical content. The production relies on synth-heavy melodies and a driving bassline suitable for clubs and cars.

Vocal Delivery: Jul uses heavy Auto-Tune not just for pitch correction but as a stylistic instrument, giving his voice a metallic, robotic timbre that has become his trademark. His flow is melodic, blurring the line between rapping and singing.

Literary Devices: The entire song is built on antithesis (juxtaposition). Every compliment to "Elle" is immediately followed by a criticism of "L'autre." He uses hyperbole ("L'autre a cent ans" - The other is a hundred years old) to mock the second woman's worn-out nature. The language is colloquial, filled with slang specific to Marseille and French housing projects (e.g., "tieks," "cavaler," "gratte").

While not as globally viral as "Tchikita" from the same album, "Elle et l'autre" was a significant success in France, contributing to the diamond certification of L'Ovni. The song resonated deeply with French youth, particularly in working-class neighborhoods, because it addressed familiar social archetypes without filtering the language.

Culturally, it reinforced Jul's image as the "reporter of the street," someone who documents the daily realities of Marseille's youth. The song's structure has been imitated in various freestyles and TikTok trends where users compare two opposing choices or characters. It stands as a prime example of Jul's ability to turn mundane social observations into platinum-selling hits.

The song relies heavily on binary opposition and metonymy to build its characters:

• The Shower vs. The Mouth: The opening lines contrast the smell of soap (purity, care) with bad breath (decay, neglect), symbolizing the internal state of the women.
• The T-Max: The Yamaha T-Max scooter is a potent symbol in French street culture. By saying "The Other" prefers a "T-Max kitté" (customized scooter) over a boyfriend, Jul uses it to represent materialism and an attraction to the dangerous, fast-paced street lifestyle.
• The Parloirs (Prison Visiting Rooms): This location serves as a metaphor for a wasted life. "The Other" killing her time in visiting rooms signifies her entanglement with criminals and a life cycle trapped by the justice system.
• Natural vs. Makeup: A classic metaphor for authenticity. "Elle" is natural, implying honesty, while "The Other" is artificial.
• The Bracelet: In some interpretations of the lyrics, references to accessories can double as references to electronic monitoring (ankle bracelets), reinforcing the theme of legal trouble, though in this specific track, the contrast is often between the "poussette" (stroller/family support) and "dettes" (debts).

The central motif is the structural repetition of "Elle... L'autre..." (She... The other...). This parallel structure anchors every verse, creating a call-and-response effect within the narrator's own monologue. This repetition emphasizes the insurmountable gap between the two lifestyles described.

Another recurring element is the concept of smell and hygiene ("sent bon," "sent d'la bouche"), which serves as a visceral hook to immediately bias the listener against "The Other."