DJ Mehdi’s name to be given to a square in Paris

The late French-Tunisian producer and DJ Mehdi is set to be honoured with a square bearing his name in Paris’s 11th arrondissement, following a vote by the Council of Paris in favour of the tribute.

The proposal was initially adopted by the 11th arrondissement council on September 29. Put forward by arrondissement mayor David Belliard alongside Socialist, Ecologist and Communist councillors, it calls for a public square to be named after DJ Mehdi, alongside the installation of a commemorative plaque recognising his work across hip-hop and electronic music.

DJ Mehdi, born Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, grew up in the Paris suburbs and later lived in the 11th arrondissement’s Cité Joly, emerging through France’s rap scene in the 1990s and working with acts including Ideal J and 113 before becoming increasingly involved in electronic music. His later career saw him associated with Ed Banger Records and develop a body of work that connected French hip-hop with the country’s expanding club culture. He died in an accident at his home in the 11th arrondissement in September 2011, aged 34.

The proposed plaque will describe Mehdi as a visionary musician, composer and producer who acted as a bridge between hip-hop and electronic music. The motion also calls on cultural institutions, schools and youth organisations across Paris to help introduce his work to younger generations.

The recognition follows renewed attention around Mehdi’s legacy in recent years. The 2024 Arte documentary series ‘DJ Mehdi: Made in France’, directed by longtime friend and collaborator Thibaut de Longeville, revisited his career and the role he played in bringing together two scenes that had often developed separately. The project went on to receive the audiovisual creation award at the 2025 Victoires de la Musique, while Mehdi was also honoured posthumously at Les Flammes that year.

The tribute comes ahead of what would have been DJ Mehdi’s 50th birthday in January 2027.