Artist page · 06/07/2026
About
Over 29 vinyl releases including 'L'École Du Micro D'Argent' with 16 tracks; originals and reissues vary €25-130.
IAM emerged from Marseille's vibrant urban culture, bringing socially conscious rap to the French music landscape. Their work spans genres such as Afrobeat, pop, and French rap, with a discography featuring 29 vinyl records including studio albums, best ofs, and special editions. They pioneered the use of sophisticated storytelling and local references in rap, influencing many artists.
Their vinyl catalog on Vinyles.com includes original pressings from the early 1990s to contemporary reissues and collector's editions, reflecting their enduring legacy. Highlights include 'L'École Du Micro D'Argent', their 1997 landmark album with 16 tracks, available in standard, colored vinyl, and anniversary editions, all sought after among collectors.
Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Côté Obscur · 2023
Côté Obscur · 2021
Def Jam Recordings · 2019
Def Jam Recordings France · 2017
Def Jam Recordings France · 2013
Def Jam Recordings France · 2013
Polydor · 2007
Hostile Records · 2003
Delabel · 1997
Delabel · 1993
Delabel · 1993
Virgin · 1991
Roker Promocion · 1990Playlist
The tracks that sum up IAM's career.
The essentials
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
This 16-track studio album is a cornerstone of French rap, blending deep lyrics and powerful beats, available on original and multiple reissues including colored and anniversary LPs.
Early defining album of IAM’s style featuring conscious hip hop with 18 tracks, issued originally on Virgin with several pressings and reissues spanning decades.
Volume 1 of a two-part studio album released on Delabel, featuring 21 tracks that consolidate their early ’90s fusion of conscious and experimental French rap.
Go further
Artists who share part of IAM's musical DNA.
Collectors
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Face B
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"Out of Marseille in 1989, IAM crafted the backbone of French rap, shaping its voice and reach."— Vinyles.com editorial
The original 1997 LP release on Delabel, catalog number 7243 8 44000 1 9, is highly prized among collectors, with over 2,200 copies held according to pressing records from France.
'Ombre Est Lumiere' Volume 1 and Volume 2, both released in 1993 on Delabel, offer rich track lists with 21 and 20 tracks respectively, cementing IAM's presence in French hip hop.
'HHHistory', released originally in France in 2023 on Côté Obscur and a 2025 limited edition by La Cosca, shows prices from €36 to €100 reflecting its demand on vinyl collector markets.
The album includes iconic tracks like 'Petit Frère', 'Demain, c'est loin', and 'Un Bon Son Brut Pour Les Truands', each contributing to its critical acclaim.
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
The group includes Akhenaton, Shurik'n, Freeman, Kheops, Imhotep, and Kephren, forming a core of influential French rap artists.
IAM was formed in Marseille in 1989, originating from earlier incarnations starting in 1984-85.
Their music spans French rap, hip hop, Afrobeat, and pop influences, reflecting diverse stylistic elements.
'L'École Du Micro D'Argent', released in 1997, is widely recognized as a landmark French rap album.
Prices range from about €25 for some reissues up to €130 for original pressing of 'L'École Du Micro D'Argent'.
Many of IAM's key albums have been reissued multiple times, including colored vinyl editions and anniversary releases, especially in France.
French vinyl collectors can find IAM records through specialized shops and online marketplaces that stock original and reissue pressings.
Volume 1 features 21 tracks, and Volume 2 includes 20 tracks, both from the 1993 releases.
Transparency
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
[title]
[message]Love it? Add to your wishlist
Your favorites, all in one place. Shop quickly and easily with the wishlist feature!
