By Jonathan Kaner ’18

Born in Paris, France by parents from Comoros Island in East Africa, up and coming rapper Napoleon Da Legend is breaking into the music scene, most recently at ADL Voices: A Concert for Unity.
“The cause for the concert was great and it was things I stand for,” Napoleon Da Legend said. “Music is the ultimate universal language, and at the end of the show, we’re all together.” Napoleon Da Legend emphasized how he was honored to be a part of the Anti Deformation League’s first ever concert.
After moving to Washington, D.C. at the age of four, Napoleon Da Legend was exposed to music. With his father constantly listening to Reggae and soul music, it allowed him to discover hip-hop music, his passion. “After a while, I just wanted to do it myself,” he said. “Coming from just being a fan, I felt like it was the best way to express myself and just have fun doing it.”
As Napoleon Da Legend continues to grow as an artist, he takes part in collaborations as well as solo-tracks. But at the end of the day, he says, he enjoys putting out his own projects as it’s a personal outlet for him.
“Napoleon Da Legend’s music was very unique at the concert,” Libby Murray ’19 said. “He doesn’t sound like any other artist, but that makes him stand out.”
Napoleon Da Legend considers his music to be R&B and hip-hop, but emphasized that he wants to build his own sound and niche.
Now living in Brooklyn, New York, Napoleon Da Legend sings about today’s problems in hope for a better tomorrow. And for him, that starts with the value of words and rhythm. “For me, the words are a big reason I do it. I am Shakespearean hip-hop,” Napoleon Da Legend said. “I put the syllables and poetry into the hip-hop.”
Napoleon Da Legend’s music was influential to Staples’ students. “Listening to his music really made me think,” Zack Cooper ’18 said. “The words he uses and the messages he has are what makes him an excellent performer.”
Even after coming off of performances in France during his European Tour, Napoleon Da Legend did not hesitate about attending Westport’s concert. Performing in the same venue as The Plain White T’s and Alisan Porter, he could not hold back his excitement. “I feel like every other month I’m having an out of body experience,” he said. “Wow, this is really happening to me.”
Napoleon Da Legend continues to advocate for what he believes and has one piece of advice. “Never give up,” he said. “I had to work and take chances with my music. Whatever your passion is in life, there will be obstacles, but if I could do it, you can too.”