Les Guetteurs are a Catholic Christian reggae band from Boulogne-Billancourt, led by singer and guitarist Fratoun. They have released four albums and one EP since 2014, including “Roi” (2023) and “Tempête” (2024), and were named breakthrough act of the year at the first Angels Music Awards in 2015.
Les Guetteurs began in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the Paris region, around Fratoun, a singer and guitarist who founded the band as a teenager to sing his Catholic faith. The name refers to the “watchman” in the book of Ezekiel (chapter 33, verse 7). In a French reggae scene that often draws on Bob Marley, Groundation, or Steel Pulse, they root their lyrics in the Gospel rather than in Rastafari. Their songs alternate between French and English, such as “Stay With Me” and “No More Trouble” on “Tempête.”
Their first album, “Guerriers pacifiques,” came out in 2014, and the band was named breakthrough act of the year at the first Angels Music Awards in 2015. “Tatoué” (2016), the EP “Soleil Noir” (2021), “Roi” (2023), and “Tempête” (2024) followed. They play in churches as well as on secular stages, from the Reggae Sun Ska Festival in 2018 to the World Youth Day pre-camp in Lisbon in 2023. In 2023, the band has five musicians (guitar, keyboards, bass, drums) gathered around Fratoun's voice.
- Origin
- Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine, France)
- Style
- Christian reggae, Catholic
- Active since
- 2014 for the first album “Guerriers pacifiques”
- Good to know
- named breakthrough act of the year at the 2015 Angels Music Awards, album “Tempête” released in 2024 on Soulbeats Records
How did Les Guetteurs begin?
The band was founded in Boulogne-Billancourt by Fratoun, then a teenager, who wanted to share his faith through music. It started with four members, shrank to two around 2010, then rebuilt in 2013 when a bass player and a drummer joined. That tighter lineup recorded the first album, “Guerriers pacifiques,” released in April 2014 on the JoyMusic label.
In 2015, the Angels Music Awards named them breakthrough act of the year at their very first edition. The second album, “Tatoué,” appeared in December 2016 on Rejoyce Musique. That same year, the band played in Iraq in refugee camps, with the support of the association Fraternité en Irak.
What makes Les Guetteurs distinctive?
Their reggae is Christian before it is Rastafarian: catchy melodies, swaying rhythms, and poetic lyrics centered on Christ, as on the album “Roi” (2023). The band writes its own music and lyrics, and it readily opens its records to guests: on “Tempête,” you can hear Fratcha, a former singer of the Christian reggae band Spear Hit, mezzo-soprano Violaine Colin, and the band Hopen. With classical guitar and cello, the sound is more acoustic than most bands in the genre.
Where should you start to discover Les Guetteurs?
Start with “Là-haut,” from the album “Tempête,” then listen to “On est,” with Fratcha, and “Aime et fais ce que tu veux,” a duet with Hopen. To go further back, “Gladiator” (2020) and the EP “Soleil Noir” (2021) show a more electronic sound, while “Roi” (2023) remains the album most focused on the person of Christ. The band's CDs and a vinyl edition of “Roi” are available in its official shop.
songs
Là-haut
A September 2024 single from the album “Tempête,” with Pablo Dominguez on classical guitar.
On est
With Fratcha, former singer of Spear Hit: an adaptation of an unreleased track by that Christian reggae band.
Aime et fais ce que tu veux
A collaboration with the band Hopen, released as a single in July 2024 and later included on “Tempête.”
Gladiator
A July 2020 single with an official video, released before the EP “Soleil Noir.”
Discography
- 2024Tempête· Fourth studio album, Soulbeats Records
- 2023Roi· Eleven tracks, Soulbeats Records
- 2021Soleil Noir (EP)· Six tracks
- 2016Tatoué· Eleven tracks, Rejoyce Musique
- 2014Guerriers pacifiques· First album, twelve tracks, JoyMusic
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who are Les Guetteurs?
Les Guetteurs are a Catholic Christian reggae band from Boulogne-Billancourt, led by singer and guitarist Fratoun. They have released four albums and one EP since 2014, and they play in churches, Christian festivals, and secular venues.
Which Les Guetteurs song should you listen to first?
“Là-haut,” from the album “Tempête” (2024), is a good way in, with its official video on the band's YouTube channel. “On est” and “Aime et fais ce que tu veux” are two other tracks from that album.
Are Les Guetteurs a Catholic band?
Yes. The Catholic press and the Diocese of Paris describe them as a Catholic reggae band. Their lyrics speak of faith in Christ, and the band's name comes from the “watchman” in Ezekiel 33:7.
What is the latest Les Guetteurs album?
Their latest album is “Tempête,” released on October 4, 2024 on Soulbeats Records. It has twelve tracks and features several guests, including Fratcha, mezzo-soprano Violaine Colin, and the band Hopen.
Where can you listen to Les Guetteurs?
Their videos are on their official YouTube channel, and their albums are on streaming platforms. Their official shop also sells the CDs of “Roi,” “Tempête,” and “Soleil Noir,” as well as a vinyl edition of “Roi.”
How many albums have Les Guetteurs released?
Four studio albums: “Guerriers pacifiques” (2014), “Tatoué” (2016), “Roi” (2023), and “Tempête” (2024), plus the EP “Soleil Noir” (2021).