Ver-squi is a fascinating example of Verlan, a French argot where syllables of a word are inverted. It comes from the word "esquiver," which means "to dodge" or "to avoid."
In the song, Soolking uses "On va ver-squi le mauvais Ĺ“il et l'commissaire" (We're going to ward off the evil eye and the police commissioner). This word choice adds a layer of street credibility and cultural nuance, making it an engaging and memorable term for learners interested in contemporary French slang.
"Milano" is Soolking's daydream about running away into a life of luxury with the woman he loves. He mixes French with Algerian darija throughout, calling her "hbiba" (my love) and asking her to be brave like her aunt, promising a life with no more need for "trabajo" (work).
The chorus paints the fantasy in one image: shopping trips in Milan, easy money, and no more worrying about which side of the law he ends up on ("c'est soit riche ou derrière les barreaux" — either rich or behind bars). Money and danger sit side by side the whole song, from hiding stolen goods to dodging the police and the evil eye.
Underneath the bravado, the song is really about loyalty. He tells her they'll stay together until the end ("toi et moi jusqu'Ă la muerte"), and the luxury he's chasing is framed as something built for the two of them, not for himself alone.
Soolking is an Algerian rapper and singer, born Abderraouf Deradji in 1989 in Staoueli, a coastal suburb of Algiers. He grew up around music thanks to his father, a percussionist, and performed under the name MC Sool before settling on the stage name Soolking.
He built his early career in Algeria with the rap group Africa Jungle before moving to France and launching a solo career in 2016, signing with Sofiane's label Affranchis Music. Soolking's sound blends hip-hop, reggae, R&B, and raĂŻ, the traditional Algerian folk style, giving his socially conscious lyrics a distinctly North African, French urban feel.
He broke through with his 2018 debut album "Fruit du DĂ©mon," certified Gold in France, followed by hits like "Milano" and "Dalida." Songs like "Sans Visa" reflect his recurring themes: the struggles of Algerian youth, migration, and the determination to build a better life without waiting for anyone's permission.