Boulogne-Billancourt, France – The 41st annual Victoires de la Musique, France’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards, concluded Friday evening with a resounding victory for Franco-Congolese singer-songwriter Theodora, who secured four awards including the prestigious Révélation féminine (Female Revelation of the Year). The ceremony, held at La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt, celebrated the best of Francophone music from 2025, with a notable emphasis on female artists.
Theodora, 22, arrived at the event with five nominations and left with four trophies, solidifying her status as a rising star in the French music scene. Her acceptance speech, punctuated by the declaration “C’est moi Boss Lady” (“I am Boss Lady”), underscored a confident and assertive persona that has quickly resonated with audiences. The singer’s success comes on the heels of her breakout hit, “Kongolese sous BBL,” released in September 2024.
The song, described as Caribbean bouyon-inspired, went viral on TikTok, becoming a body-positive anthem and generating numerous dance and lip-sync trends. According to available data, “Kongolese sous BBL” reached number 10 on the SNEP Top Singles chart in France, number 34 on Belgium’s Ultratop Wallonia chart, and climbed to number 3 on Spotify’s Top Viral Global chart. It has amassed over 2.3 billion streams worldwide, including more than three million in the United Kingdom. The single has been certified diamond by SNEP and gold by the BRMA.
Theodora’s debut mixtape, Bad Boy Lovestory, released in November 2024 through her own Boss Lady Records, further cemented her position. The mixtape debuted at number 3 on the SNEP Top Albums chart and remained there for seven consecutive weeks, also reaching number 14 on the Ultratop Wallonia chart.
The Victoires de la Musique ceremony itself, presented by Cyril Féraud and Helena Noguerra, opened with a performance featuring older hits, including Mika’s 2006 track, “Relax (Take It Easy).” Mika, serving as the president of honor for this year’s event, highlighted the diversity of voices within the contemporary French music landscape, stating that the nominated artists represent “voix multiples qui racontent la France d’aujourd’hui dans toute sa richesse” (“multiple voices that tell the story of France today in all its richness”).
This year’s awards demonstrated a significant shift towards recognizing female talent. Of the 34 nominations, 21 were for female artists, and women ultimately won six of the nine categories. This represents a substantial increase in female representation compared to previous years, signaling a potential turning point in the industry.
Theodora’s musical journey began in 2018, working alongside her older brother, Jeez Suave, who produced her music, encouraged her singing, and acted as her composer and manager. She released her debut single, “La thune,” in November 2018, followed by her trap-pop extended play (EP), Neptune, in January 2021, through their independent label, Neptune Production.
Born Lili Théodora Mbangayo Mujinga in Switzerland in 2003, Theodora’s music blends a variety of genres, including hyperpop, bouyon, hip-hop, R&B, calypso, and shatta, alongside traditional chanson. Her ability to seamlessly integrate these diverse influences has contributed to her unique sound and broad appeal.
The success of Theodora and the broader recognition of female artists at the Victoires de la Musique 2026 reflect evolving trends within the French music industry and a growing demand for diverse representation. The awards ceremony serves as a platform for both established and emerging artists, shaping the cultural landscape and influencing the direction of Francophone music for the year ahead.
While the full list of winners and performances remains largely behind a paywall, the impact of Theodora’s win and the overall emphasis on female artists is already being felt across the French-speaking world. Her ascent signals a potential shift in the industry, one that prioritizes innovation, diversity, and the voices of a new generation.
