Vinyles.com
Published on April 24, 2026
The big winner of the fourth edition of Les Flammes is Theodora, who takes home five trophies, including Female Artist of the Year. Werenoi was posthumously awarded for Rap Album of the Year, and Gims was named Male Artist despite a recent indictment. Here is the complete list of winners.
The fourth Les Flammes ceremony was held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at La Seine Musicale, for the second time in this Boulogne-Billancourt venue. Initiated by Yard and Booska-P to highlight artists in French and Francophone urban music, the ceremony presented 18 main awards this Thursday evening. Gims, Hamza, Fallon, and L2B are also among the big names on the winners' list.
Summary table of 2026 winners
Listen to the official winners playlist on Spotify →
What not to miss: Theodora's triumph
At 22 years old, Theodora takes home five trophies, including Female Artist of the Year and Best New Pop Album for Mega BBL, a re-release of her first project Bad Boy Lovestory which includes collaborations with Juliette Armanet, Chilly Gonzales, and Jul. On stage, according to press reports, the singer drew a parallel between the album's themes and situations of domestic violence, sending a message of encouragement to those affected.
She had already been recognized as Female Revelation at Les Flammes 2025, in the wake of the hit Kongolese sous BBL, dedicating her award then to all the slightly weird black girls. A year later, her originality – musical, visual, and the strength of her commitment – propels her into another dimension.
Among the surprises, Franglish won the New Pop Album award for Aura x G-Wave, a recognition that confirms the rising power of new Francophone pop alongside pure rap.
The most present absentee: Werenoi honored posthumously
Werenoi, whose real name was Jérémy Bana Owona, passed away on May 17, 2025, in Paris, at just 31 years old. His album Diamant Noir won the Flamme for Rap Album of the Year at this 2026 edition - a posthumous consecration.
This was one of the most emotional moments of the evening. An award that resonates even more strongly as the rapper himself had missed the 2025 edition - he couldn't attend the award ceremony for his prize for Pyramide 2, sending a video message from his hospital bed.
This posthumous consecration adds to an exceptional trajectory: Werenoi had been crowned Male Revelation at Les Flammes 2023, then Best Album for Carré in 2024. A trajectory that had made him one of the most closely watched names in the French rap scene over these two years.
Focus on the stars of the evening
Female Artist of the Year
Theodora, new queen of Francophone pop
Five trophies in one evening: it's a feat that few artists can claim in the history of Les Flammes. Theodora, 22, embodies a new generation of artists who refuse to choose between genres. Her album Mega BBL – an expanded re-release of Bad Boy Lovestory – blends pop, R&B, rap, and African influences with a rare artistic coherence. Collaborations with Juliette Armanet, Chilly Gonzales, and Jul illustrate her ability to navigate between universes that seem entirely opposed.
Her victory at Les Flammes 2026 is no surprise to those who had followed her career since Kongolese sous BBL, but the scale of the triumph – five awards including Female Artist, Spotify Flamme for Album of the Year, New Pop Album, Music Video, and Album Cover – speaks to something stronger: Theodora is no longer a revelation, she is a benchmark. The 2026 awards echo those of the recent Victoires de la Musique, which also honored her, confirming that she is no longer a niche phenomenon but a pillar of popular French music.
What distinguishes Theodora from other consecrated artists her age is the scope of her commitment. On stage, her speeches are not communication accessories: they are an integral part of a coherent universe, in which music and message are inseparable. At 22, her journey has only just begun.
Male Artist of the Year
Gims, Male Artist of the Year despite controversy
Few artists can dominate streaming platforms for over a decade while consistently selling out XXL venues. Gims is one of them. In 2025, his tracks Ciel and Ninao earned multiple certifications, and his December concerts at La Défense Arena brought together several generations of fans in one space – a sign of longevity that few French urban artists can claim.
His win as Male Artist of the Year at the 2026 Flammes awards sparked debate. This recognition comes almost a month after he was indicted for aggravated money laundering by an organized group, for which he was placed under judicial supervision. Absent from the ceremony, he thanked the public in a recorded message. An indictment is not a conviction: the presumption of innocence applies, and his award resulted from the ceremony's usual voting process, combining public votes and the opinion of a professional jury.
Track of the Year
Hamza, Track of the Year with KYKY2BONDY
Hamza is no stranger to the Francophone scene, but his presence at the top of the 2026 Flammes awards marks another step in his recognition in France. For several years, the Belgian rapper has been establishing a meticulously crafted trap style, balancing instrumental minimalism with dense lyrics.
KYKY2BONDY, voted Track of the Year, illustrates this approach: a stripped-down production, an instantly recognizable phrasing, and a title that dominated listens in France for several weeks, establishing itself in playlists far beyond its usual audience. His victory over tracks like Gims's Ciel or KeBlack feat. Guy2Bezbar's Melrose Place sends a strong signal to the Francophone Belgian scene: urban cultures in the Francophone world are not limited to France.
Hamza undoubtedly leaves this evening with increased exposure to the French public who did not yet know him. His victory, in a list of winners dominated by French artists, confirms that the borders of the Francophone scene extend far beyond France.
Breakthroughs of the Year
L2B and Fallon, breakthroughs that deliver
In any awards ceremony, breakthrough awards are often the most significant in the long term: they designate the artists that the industry and the public are betting on for lasting success. The choice of L2B and Fallon in 2026 says something precise about the direction French urban music is taking.
The Parisian trio L2B is back from their first two concerts at the Accor Arena – a rare stage performance for such recent artists – and takes home the Male Breakthrough award. Their direct rap, rooted in the imagery of northern Parisian neighborhoods, found an immediate echo with a wide audience, proving that it is still possible to emerge quickly without major artistic compromise.
On the female side, Fallon offers a unique proposition: an artist who fuses R&B and bouyon, a Caribbean genre from the Antilles, into a hybrid music that reflects multiple identities. Her victory illustrates one of the strengths of the Flammes compared to other ceremonies: the ability to reward artists who do not fit into usual categories and who carry a culture often invisible in mainstream media.
Practical Guide: Everything you need to know about the Flammes
How are the Flammes winners chosen?
Winners are determined through a three-step process: candidate submission by industry players, pre-selection by an expert committee within 72 hours, and then combined votes from the public and a professional jury. This 2026 edition mobilized over 810,000 voters, 500,000 more than the previous edition.
Why were the Flammes created?
The ceremony was created in response to the underrepresentation of rap and R&B artists in traditional French music ceremonies. Yard and Booska-P took the initiative to create a dedicated event, based on streaming platform results and a broad public vote.
Where can I rewatch the 2026 Flammes ceremony?
The ceremony was broadcast live on France 4 and TV5 Monde, as well as on YouTube. The replay is available on these official platforms and on the event's social media networks.
FAQ - The 2026 Flammes Awards
Who won the most awards at the 2026 Flammes?
Theodora is the big winner of this edition with five trophies: Female Artist of the Year, Spotify Flamme for Album of the Year, New Pop Album (Mega BBL), Video of the Year (Fashion Designa) and Album Cover of the Year.
Where did the 2026 Flammes ceremony take place?
The fourth edition of the Flammes was held at La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt, on April 23, 2026.
Did Werenoi really receive a posthumous award?
Yes. Werenoi passed away on May 17, 2025. His album Diamant Noir was awarded the Flamme for Rap Album of the Year at this 2026 edition, in his absence.
Can Gims legally receive an award despite his indictment?
An indictment is not a conviction: it means that a judicial investigation is underway. Gims remains presumed innocent, and his award resulted from the ceremony's usual voting process.
On which channels or platforms can I follow the Flammes?
Since this edition, France Télévisions has been the official broadcaster. The Flammes are available on France 4, TV5 Monde, and streaming on YouTube.
What is the concept of the Flammes Awards?
The Flammes is a ceremony created by Yard and Booska-P to honor artists in rap, R&B, and Francophone popular music, who are underrepresented in traditional ceremonies like the Victoires de la Musique.
Verdict: A 2026 edition that makes history
This fourth ceremony will be remembered for several reasons: Theodora's absolute triumph, Werenoi's posthumous consecration, the controversy surrounding Gims, and record audience figures. With over 810,000 voters, the Flammes are establishing themselves more and more each year as the leading ceremony for the most listened-to music in France. The date is already set for 2027.
To go further
Find the records of the artists who made the 2026 Flammes at vinyles.com
