A prominent French rapper from Marseille, known professionally as Naps (real name Nabil Boukhobza), stands trial accused of raping a woman while she slept following a night of partying. The 40-year-old artist, celebrated for his chart-topping hit “La Kiffance,” denies the allegations and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors present DNA evidence linking Naps to the alleged October 2021 assault. The complainant, then 20 years old, states she spent the evening at The Key nightclub in Paris’s 9th arrondissement with two friends. Naps was there with his cousin and manager, a bodyguard, a sports journalist, and the journalist’s friend.
The group invited the women to their table. Around 4:30 a.m., Naps suggested continuing at his hotel near Gare de Lyon. En route, the woman consumed cannabis, alcohol, and nitrous oxide. At the hotel, Naps’s entourage departed, leaving him with the three women, who left their phones at the entrance.
The women and Naps ended up on the same bed, fully clothed. The complainant describes being in and out of consciousness when she felt her underwear pulled down. She awoke to the pain of vaginal penetration and attempted to push him away.
Aftermath and Evidence
The group left around 10 a.m., when a friend urged her to file a complaint. Forensic analysis found traces of Naps on her clothing. Two witnesses consistently testify that she was asleep, raising questions about her ability to provide free and informed consent.
Defense Response
Naps maintains the encounter was consensual, claiming the woman made sounds of pleasure. The complainant expresses determination to see the case through and has not requested a closed hearing.
Rapper’s Background
Naps earned the Francophone Revelation of the Year at the 2021 NRJ Music Awards. His single “La Kiffance” topped streams in France that year and earned Diamond certification from SNEP.
The verdict is anticipated on Thursday, February 19.
