Daniel Riolo, known for his sharp opinions on French football and certain Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players, found himself at the center of controversy following the performance of rapper SDM at Paris’ Parc des Princes on March 16, 2025. The event coincided with the highly anticipated match between PSG and Olympique de Marseille (OM), known as le Classique.
During the pre-match show, SDM, who has become synonymous with the Paris rap scene, delivered his hit song "Dolce Camara", which includes the now-viral lyrics, "La mère à Riolo, le père à Riolo". This line, aimed directly at Riolo, incited unified chants from the crowd, creating quite the spectacle for spectators both at the stadium and those tuned in to the broadcast on DAZN.
This wasn't the first time Riolo had found himself the subject of musical ridicule. The rapper Booba, also associated with SDM, had previously stoked the flames of controversy with his album "Ad vitam æternam" released back in February 2024, which featured diss tracks directed at other football figures, including Kylian Mbappé. By inviting SDM to perform before the match, the PSG took part in the entertainment indirectly criticizing one of its vocal commentators.
After PSG’s convincing 3-1 victory over OM, Riolo addressed the events during his radio show, "After Foot" on RMC. He shared his reactions to the performance, expressing some bitterness over SDM's choice of lyrics. "There are tons of concerts where he sings this, with the lyrics on displays for everyone to chant along. My kids alerted me to this last April because they adore this artist. To them, it’s amusing to be insulted like this," he said, noting how the humor of the situation struck his family.
Despite his children’s enjoyment of SDM’s music, Riolo indicated he could not wrap his head around why the rapper had publicly declared his hatred for him. He expressed this confusion, saying, "When you detest someone for their remarks on football, you must not have much else to occupy your life with."
Riolo’s interjections continued as he discussed his attempts to engage SDM. "I had reached out to SDM’s team wanting him to come on the show," he noted. He revealed having received positive responses from SDM’s entourage to his invitation, but indicated it came to no fruition following the controversy.
The rising tension reached new heights as Riolo observed the increasing trend of dismissive remarks traced back to popular artists and actors, saying, "When I see the negative interactions public figures endure, especially those related to their family, I understand there’s part of notoriety I must accept, even if it’s harsh. It’s violent, but evidently, I have to deal with it. If my children find fun in this, all the more power to them, even if my parents, who are not hip-hop enthusiasts, may not see it the same way."
While he acknowledged the existence of "Dolce Camara" within his playlist, Riolo reflected on the double-edged nature of fame and the direct attacks it can prompt. Comparing SDM's words to other insults aimed at public figures, he stated, “I see the signs and insults, and it’s tough to take, but humor is a coping mechanism. This is football, after all. To hate me over these words is quite something. I would invite Léonard (SDM's real name) to join me on the show any day to discuss this more openly.”
The dramatic moments leading up to and during the match showcased the intersection of sports and popular culture, with Riolo becoming both subject and participant amid the raucous atmosphere. The chants reverberated through the Parc des Princes, and audiences worldwide tuned in to witness how artists like SDM could leverage their platforms amid such matches.
This clash between pop culture and sports commentary reveals the myriad ways tensions can manifest, with artists sometimes throwing verbal jabs at public figures far beyond the soccer field. Riolo’s composed responses mixed with humor encapsulate the tension permeated between their respective worlds. SDM’s performance stands not only as entertainment but as commentary on how personal and public lives become intertwined within the eye of the media.
Overall, Daniel Riolo's reaction and humility during this controversy shed light on how public perception forms and how personalities within the sporting world are affected by artistic expressions like rap. The fusion of rap and football will continue to echo through stadiums as artists find new ways to engage with fans and spark conversations, albeit sometimes controversially.