The two Normans vying for “Male Artist of the Year” at the 2026 Victoires de la musique, Orelsan and Pierre Garnier, left empty-handed at the awards ceremony on Friday, February 13. Orelsan remains stuck at just one trophy away from the record for most wins.
Despite two nominations this year at the Victoires de la musique, held on Friday, February 13 in Paris, the rapper from Caen, Orelsan, will not join Matthieu Chedid and Alain Bashung among the most awarded artists in this artistic competition. Worse: no Norman left this year with a trophy, as the other hope from the region, the singer from Caen, Pierre Garnier, also leaves the night empty-handed.
Both competing in the “Male Artist of the Year” category, Orelsan and Pierre Garnier were surpassed by the rapper Disiz, propelled by his album “On s’en rappellera pas,” released in 2025. Orelsan, 43, was contending with his latest album, “La Fuite en avant,” designed as a musical extension of the movie “Yoroï,” which he co-wrote and in which he plays the lead role. The rapper was also in the running for the best album category.
Pierre Garnier, 23, winner in 2022 of the show “Star Academy,” released a live version of his debut album, “Chaque seconde,” last November, released in 2024. He had won two trophies at last year’s Victoires de la musique: Male revelation and author of the original song of the year.
With 12 trophies to his name, Orelsan could have hoped to join Matthieu Chedid and Alain Bashung at the top of the Victoires ranking in case of victory on Friday, as the two artists are the only ones to have reached the record of 13 wins.
The standout name of Friday night was Theodora, who was the big winner of the ceremony. The 22-year-old Swiss singer won four victories: Female revelation, stage revelation, best album, and audiovisual creation.