Pédé is a highly provocative and offensive slang term in French, equivalent to the English slur "faggot." It's a very strong and controversial word.
In the song, it's used repeatedly and directly in the context of discussing homosexuality and societal perceptions, particularly in the lines "Quatre-vingt-huit pour cent des mecs sont pédés" (Eighty-eight percent of guys are faggots). Its inclusion is central to the song's theme of exploring identity, self-acceptance, and the struggle with internalized homophobia, making it a striking and memorable word that drives the song's narrative.
Philippe Katerine and Lomepal kick off 88 % with a tongue-in-cheek “statistic”: 88 % of men are gay. Of course, the number is absurd, and that is exactly the point. Using playful repetition, sarcasm, and a bragging macho narrator, the song pokes fun at how society clings to labels and how many people hide behind a straight façade. As the lyrics swing between swagger and anxiety, the narrator admits he would “rather die than sleep with a man” because he is terrified he might actually like it. The exaggeration turns the spotlight on the fear, shame, and denial that often fuel homophobia.
By the second verse, the mask slips: the narrator confesses that his attraction might be more fluid than he wants to admit. He jumps from “100 % hetero” to “100 % homo,” showing how identities can shift and overlap. The track argues that those who are quickest to ridicule queer people may be wrestling with their own desires, much like “someone who mocks the rich secretly wants to be rich.” In other words, the real issue is not sexuality itself but the pressure to fit into a rigid mold. Through humor and irony, 88 % invites listeners to question stereotypes, embrace self-acceptance, and laugh at the silly math we use to deny who we really are.