In August 2025, the final bassline echoed through Fraisans, France, at No Logo Festival as the crowd began chanting, unwilling to let go. It was five in the morning, and the tribute to Martin ‘Naâman’ Mussard, the voice, the spirit, the friend they’d lost six months earlier, was still going strong. On stage, Fatbabs, Naâman’s parents, his wife, friends, and collaborators stood together as one, having played for three hours in a show of love and defiance in the face of loss.
Shortly before the show, Kevin McMahon spoke with French producer Benjamin ‘Fatbabs’ Jeanne, a longtime collaborator and close friend of Naâman. Fatbabs had just navigated a year of pain, creativity, and commemoration. In 2024, he toured with a terminally ill Naâman, and in February 2025, the European reggae scene was rocked by the passing of one of its brightest stars. Despite the grief, Fatbabs channelled his emotions into the creation of This Love is Forever, an album that has become a tribute in itself, drawing on the spirits of reggae legends, familiar friends and new voices alike. Fatbabs recalls that “Despite the sadness, we toured with smiles. Sometimes we cried, but joy won in the end.”
The passing of Naâman at just 34 years of age was a blow deeply felt within the French reggae community. As for Fatbabs, it was a deeply personal loss. The pair first met in the late 2000s. Immediately, the two teenagers from Normandy clicked and their lives began moving together, in a purposeful and exciting new direction. The two shared countless hours in the studio, on the road, and in each other’s lives, so the loss left a reality that was hard to bear. But in the wake of the tragedy, Fatbabs found solace in a unique way, by turning his grief into creative fuel. “Naâman prepared us to transform something bad into something beautiful,” Fatbabs explains. The process of making This Love is Forever became both an act of healing and a way to honour his late friend’s legacy. He immersed himself in music, working tirelessly to capture the spirit of the man who had always carried a message of love, peace, and the unshakable belief that life, despite its hardships, is a gift.
Through his art, Fatbabs began to shape a new chapter, his music was not just a welcome distraction, it became a way of healing. He reached out to a diverse array of artists, knowing that each collaborator would add a unique layer to the new album’s story. One of the first to join him was Jah-Lil, a young Jamaican artist whom Fatbabs had encountered at the No Logo BZH festival in Brittany. “I was deeply touched by his music and vibe,” Fatbabs explains, speaking of an artist who continues to go from strength to strength in the world of reggae. “He has something really deep inside.” Their connection was instant, and the result was the single ‘End of a War’. “We met in Jamaica, spent a day vibing together… and I see him as one of my favourite up-and-coming artists, the best of the next generation,” Fatbabs adds, as he acknowledges Jah-Lil’s unique ability to deliver sharp and thoughtful lyrics with a vibrant, youthful energy.
Next came Capleton, the ‘King of Fire’, a legendary reggae artist known for his powerful stage presence and unmistakable voice. Fatbabs had initially created more of a hip-hop beat, but Naâman’s advice influenced him to change the track. “Naâman suggested changing the tempo to make it up-tempo, to make people dance,” Fatbabs recalls. The result was the single ‘Hurry Up’, a track that not only brought Capleton’s signature fire, but also struck a chord with audiences. “The crowd loves it every time I play it,” Fatbabs beams with pride, as he reflects on how Naâman’s creative guidance had helped to shape the track. This collaboration, along with several others, has undoubtedly helped cement This Love is Forever as an album deeply rooted in reggae’s past, present and future.
In response to Naâman’s passing, the outpouring of tributes online has painted a picture of his profound impact. Shortly after his passing in February 2025, friends, family and fans came together to honour his legacy in Dieppe, the small French town where Naâman grew up. The community mourned openly yet celebrated the life he left behind with just as much heart. Fatbabs fought back tears, as he shared their songs with a town in mourning. “It was raw and emotional, but Naâman wanted us to make a party, dance, and enjoy life even after he left,” he recalls. The homages online from other artists surprised even Fatbabs, who points out that, “When you do music, you never know how much other artists listen to you. Even today, I saw a video of Harrison Stafford (of Groundation) singing Naâman’s track, ‘Karma’, which touched us a lot.”
As time passed after Naâman’s death, the need to honour his life and legacy grew stronger. Fatbabs knew that the best way to keep his good friend’s memory alive was through the very thing they had both poured so much of their lives into: the music. So, he assembled a team and scheduled three tribute shows to be staged at France’s top reggae festivals. The final tribute came on August 10, 2025 with a three-hour performance at the No Logo Festival in Fraisans. Fatbabs masterfully curated a show that merged the euphoria of a party with a moving tribute, in what was an unforgettable celebration of life, music and community.
This full moon night in Fraisans stretched long and lively into the early morning, enabling a cathartic outpouring of energy that spoke to the heart of Naâman’s legacy. This is a legacy committed to joy, community and love, irrespective of the circumstances. Fans came together as strangers and the bond that Naâman created across different genres and nations was visibly on show. Guest performances from the likes of Jahneration, Biga*Ranx, Marcus Gad, Sarah Lugo and Vanzo were a true testament to the scale of Naâman’s impact on the reggae scene and the deep respect he garnered from his peers. Of course, the tribute was much more than a simple show. It was a living example of the community Naâman and Fatbabs have built across France and beyond. These tribute sets now enjoy not just a ‘farewell’ status, but constitute a continuation, proof that music, when shared in love, can hold people together long after the final note.
As Fatbabs looks to the future, his mission remains clear: to carry on the message, the energy and the love forward. “I love streaming numbers,” he laughs, “but really, it’s on the same vibe it always was. I started doing music because I loved it. I never thought meeting Naâman would change the whole direction of my life.” It is now clear that what began as a
dream to make people dance has evolved into something far deeper. It has become a way to connect, to heal and to leave something meaningful behind. As Fatbabs explains: “When my kids grow up, I’ll show them my story through my music. The thing that is bigger than any track we play is the love that we bring.”
That same love and a sense of unfinished business still drives Fatbabs on. In September of this year, he completed his album, This Love is Forever, adding the final track through a competition called Your Voice is Forever. Fatbabs’ commitment to unearthing new artists was on show as his beat saw entries from vocalists worldwide in a variety of languages and styles. The winner was Toulouse native Muffin Kulture with an impressive entry which resonated with Fatbabs and his fans, ably capturing the spirit of the album.
Genuine passion and raw talent are a sight to behold when they are fused together in the same artist and what’s most exciting is that Fatbabs is consciously looking ahead. He aims to continue working with the family of artists he has so carefully fostered. We will also see him continue to work with greats, nurture new talents and perhaps even revive an old and familiar one in Martin ‘Naâman’ Mussard. Even in the months before his passing, as his health declined, Naâman had thrown himself into his work, “He worked on music, even until he was unable,” Fatbabs recalls. “I remember the last time I saw him, he asked me to put a beat on a track.” It’s a special moment that now guides Fatbabs on his musical journey. It is leading him to find the right beat, to complete what was started and ensure that Naâman’s voice continues to echo, both literally and spiritually.
What’s next from this creative and grounded music stable is not merely an album or a tour. It’s a promise, a continuation, a living tribute. Assisted by Big Scoop Records and with a community that now spans France and stretches all the way to Jamaica, this promise will prevail. Fatbabs isn’t just moving forward, he’s bringing Naâman with him, every step of the way. ‘Naâman left a lot of work behind, so we’re keeping busy,’ concludes Fatbabs, with a spark in his eye, carrying the weight of the past and the promise of what’s still to come.
By Kevin McMahon for Worldareggae.com