Redoutable translates to "formidable" or "fearsome." It's a powerful adjective used to describe someone or something that inspires great respect, and often a little bit of fear.
In the song, GIMS boasts about his crew, saying, "TĂ©-ma l'Ă©quipe, redoutable" (Check out the crew, formidable). He uses this strong word to paint a picture of an intimidating and highly respected group, adding to the track's confident and powerful vibe. It's a fantastic word to learn if you want to add some intensity to your French!
GIMS paints a picture of a superstar's life in "NINAO," and it's a mix of luxury and danger. He rolls up with his crew, and right away, he says, "Dès, dès, dès qu'j'arrive, ça regarde de travers" (As soon as I arrive, they look at me sideways). He's so famous he has to wear a hood, and he's not alone—he moves with an "équipe armée" (armed team). This isn't just about parties; there's a real edge to it. When people see his crew's "guitare" (slang for a gun), they back off quickly.
This high-stakes lifestyle comes with expensive toys, like a "Fé'Fé' noire" (black Ferrari), and a packed schedule that keeps him out late. He tells someone, "Mon amour j'vais rentrer tard" (My love, I'll be home late), but it sounds like a regular thing. He even admits this life has led him to do things he's not proud of, but he also seems to leave a trail of broken hearts. After a brief encounter, he notes there's "Encore un petit cœur à réparer" (Another little heart to mend), almost as an afterthought to his busy, complicated world.
GIMS, born Gandhi Djuna in 1986 in Kinshasa, is one of the biggest stars in French music. His family left the Democratic Republic of the Congo for Paris when he was just two years old, and he grew up in the French capital.
He first made his name as the masked frontman of the rap collective Sexion d'Assaut, one of the groups behind France's rap revival around 2010. Since going solo in 2013 he has become a chart-topping, stadium-filling artist who blends rap, pop and R&B, and he has worked with international names like Sia, Sting, Maluma and Pitbull.