XLR8R

Mike Ladd
In 2004, hip-hopper Mike Ladd was tired of paying New York rent; after finding a temporary rent-free situation in Paris, he made the official move to the 9th arrondissement–and ended up marrying his landlord. It was the sort of situation that blows away most people’s expectations of the city, but aside from that, his idea of Paris is less than romantic. “Paris is not cool. It’s a great place to retire after a career in arms dealing or real estate,” he says. “Any romantic notions of Paris as an artists’ haven were gone by the early ’70s in my opinion… What made Paris so exciting in the early and mid-20th century was the combustion of very old modes of living colliding with technology and problematic ideas of internationalism. You have to look elsewhere for that concoction now. I’m here for personal reasons and that’s what makes the living easy.”

Ladd finds Paris’ suburbs an interesting and familiar mix. The suburbs are “a different city altogether,” he explains. “Much more dynamic and diverse; more like Brooklyn and the Bronx (except everything closes at 11) and more cosmopolitan.” So what’s the weirdest facet of French vs. U.S. life? “Our cable TV,” he says. “Press the green button and most shows switch to English.”

Favorite French expression: There’s a magazine store run by an old Asian guy near Porte de Versailles. He can get you any magazine in the world, especially the ones that come with toys.

Favorite French word or expression: Touche mon palet. “Touch my cookie.”

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