Ten years of Demi Festival: Demi Portion and independent rap from Sète
Rapper Demi Portion created a festival in his hometown of Sète that brings established names together with new voices in French hip-hop. In 2026, it celebrates its tenth anniversary.
From 5 to 9 August 2026, Sète is celebrating ten years of the Demi Festival. The festival was founded by Demi Portion in 2016. The city of Sète now describes it as one of the important gatherings of independent French hip-hop. The anniversary programme includes a free opening event and several concert nights at the Théâtre de la Mer.
Behind the name Demi Portion is Rachid Daif. He comes from Sète and grew up in the Île de Thau neighbourhood. He began rapping at the age of twelve and received his stage name during writing workshops at the local La Passerelle community centre. He later came into contact with Fabe and the Paris-based Scred Connexion. Le Monde traces how these beginnings eventually helped inspire the idea of creating his own festival.
Demi Portion's career has remained closely connected to independent rap. Rather than making the festival solely about his own music, he also uses it as a stage for other artists. Established names appear alongside performers who are only beginning to reach a wider audience. This mixture of generations is an important part of the Demi Festival's identity.
The anniversary edition illustrates that range. JoeyStarr, Rim'K and Oxmo Puccino are among the announced artists, alongside groups and younger voices from the independent scene. The venue itself is also part of the story: Demi Portion wanted to do more than appear as an opening act at the Théâtre de la Mer and instead stage a concert there in his hometown under his own name.
For anyone discovering Demi Portion as a musician, “2 Chez Moi” is a fitting place to start. Its title almost sums up the story: with this artist, music, origins and the city of Sète are difficult to separate.