Joeystarr

Didier Morville (French pronunciation: [didjemɔʁvil]; born 27 October 1967), better known by his stage name JoeyStarr, is a French rapper, record producer and actor, from Saint-Denis, Île-de-France. He co-founded the French rap band Suprême NTM in 1989 along with Kool Shen.

Life and career

Childhood and upbringing

JoeyStarr is from a family originating from the French overseas department of Martinique. He had a difficult childhood, having been raised by his violent father until he turned 18. He was taken from his mother when he was five years old, and only saw her again 18 years later. He tells of a time when his father killed his pet rabbit and made him eat it.

In 1985, he joined the military at Baden-Baden, "19 months of hell", an experience which he raps about in his album Authentik.

After the army, he wandered the streets, sleeping in subways and alleys. He discovered drugs and hip-hop, and the latter changed his life.

Suprême NTM

During his time on the streets, he met another aspiring rapper, Kool Shen, who was also born in Saint-Denis. In 1988 they formed the group Suprême NTM alias NTM. When the first single came out in 1989, he could not cash the check, since he could not provide an address or a bank account.

The group achieved record sales with their four albums, but split in 1998.

It had a comeback as announced on 13 March 2008.

Personal life

JoeyStarr met French actress Béatrice Dalle in 1994, and they had a tumultuous relationship for ten years. They separated in 2005, but remained close. In 2026, Dalle said they had not talked for two years.

JoeyStarr has two sons, Mathis and Kalil, with his current girlfriend, hip-hop journalist Leïla Dixmier.

In 1999, he was sentenced to two months in prison for physically harassing a flight attendant. He was also sentenced to three months in prison and fined 2,000 euros for physically abusing a former partner. His criminal record includes 13 infractions. In 2003, he was condemned for animal brutality for hitting a monkey on national television, and was heavily criticized in the press and by his fans.

Awards and nominations

Music

• 2007: "Best rap artist" during L'Année du hip-hop Les trophées
• 2008: "Best concert" during L'Année du hip-hop Les trophées

Acting

• 2010: Nomination for "Best actor in a secondary role" during César Award for his role in Le Bal des actrices
• 2012: Nomination for "Best actor in a secondary role" during César Award for his role in Polisse
• 2012: Laureate for Patrick Dewaere Award

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

• 2006: My Playlist
• 2007: L'Anthology Mixtape

Singles

Filmography

Film

Television

• 1990 : Le Lyonnais (1 episode "Taggers)
• 2001 : Toc toc toc (TV mini series) as himself
• 2002 : H - (1 episode, "Lucifer")
• 2003 : 60 jours 60 nuits de Juliette Baudouin as himself
• 2008-2010 : Mafiosa, le clan as Moktar
• 2015 : Call My Agent ! as himself

External links

• at IMDb