Regard Noir Lyrics in English by ASHE 22
Filochent comes from the verb filocher, which is a slang term meaning to track or tail someone, often in a surveillance context. It's a less common, more street-level word than standard verbs for following.
In the lyrics, "Ils m'ont filochent en hélico', j'avais cinq sur cinq" (They tracked me by helicopter, I had five out of five), it vividly describes being under surveillance, adding a gritty, authentic feel to the narrative. This word offers a glimpse into French urban slang.
ASHE 22's "Regard Noir" is a cold, hard look at a life of crime and survival. The title itself means "Black Gaze" or "Dark Look," and the lyrics deliver exactly that, with a constant feeling of menace. He kicks things off with a chillingly specific threat: "FLN, on t'fait le sourire d'byle-ka" (FLN, we'll give you the Kabyle smile), a reference to having one's throat slit during the Algerian War. This isn't just tough talk; it's a statement of deadly seriousness that sets the tone for the whole track.
Throughout the song, ASHE 22 lays out the rules of his world. He warns against talking too much with the line, "Le poisson se fait choper en ouvrant la bouche" (The fish gets caught by opening its mouth). He describes a grim reality of being watched by police helicopters, waiting on drug shipments, and facing sneaky judges. There's a deep fatalism here, a sense that peace is impossible: "Qu'on vive tous en paix, j'ai arrêté d'y croire" (That we all live in peace, I've stopped believing in it). The song is a blunt, unflinching description of a life where you have to be ruthless to get by.
