Scylla. Detail from a red-figure bell-crater, 450–425 BC.

The Rock of Scilla, Calabria, today.

In Greek mythology, Scylla ( /ˈsɪlə/ SIL-ə; Greek: Σκύλλα, Skylla)^[1] was a monster that lived on one side of a narrow channel of water, opposite its counterpart Charybdis. The two sides of the strait were within an arrow's range of each other—so close that sailors attempting to avoid Charybdis would pass too close to Scylla and vice versa

Scylla was a horrible sea monster with four eyes, six long necks equipped with grisly heads, each of which contained three rows of sharp teeth. Her body consisted of twelve tentacle-like legs and a cat's tail and with four to six dog-heads ringing her waist. She was one of the children of Phorcys and Ceto. Some sources, including Stesichorus, cite her parents as Triton and Lamia.

Traditionally the strait has been associated with the Strait of Messina between Italy and Sicily, but more recently this theory has been challenged, and the alternative location of Cape Skilla in northwest Greece has been suggested by Tim Severin.^[2]

The idiom 'between Scylla and Charybdis' has come to mean being between two dangers, choosing either of which brings harm, equivalent to the modern American expression 'between a rock and a hard place'.

In literature[link]

[edit] Homer's Odyssey

This is a painting of Odysseus's boat passing between the six-headed monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis. Scylla has plucked six of Odysseus's men from the boat. The painting is an Italian fresco dating to 1560 C.E.

In Homer's Odyssey XII, Odysseus is given advice by Circe to sail closer to Scylla, for Charybdis could drown his whole ship: "Hug Scylla's crag—sail on past her—top speed! Better by far to lose six men and keep your ship than lose your entire crew"^[3] she warns, and tells Odysseus to bid Scylla's mother, the river nymph Crataeis, to prevent her from pouncing more than once. Odysseus then successfully sails his ship past Scylla and Charybdis, but Scylla manages to catch six of his men, devouring them alive.

"...they writhed
gasping as Scylla swung them up her cliff and there
at her cavern's mouth she bolted them down raw—
screaming out, flinging their arms toward me,
lost in that mortal struggle."^[4]

Ovid[link]

According to Ovid,^[5] Scylla was once a beautiful nymph. The fisherman-turned-sea-god Glaucus fell madly in love with her, but she fled from him onto the land where he could not follow. Despair filled his heart. He went to the sorceress Circe to ask for a love potion to melt Scylla's heart. As he told his tale of love about Scylla to Circe, she herself fell in love with him. She wooed him with her sweetest words and looks, but the sea-god would have none of her. Circe was furious, but with Scylla and not with Glaucus. She prepared a vial of very powerful poison and poured it in the pool where Scylla bathed. As soon as the nymph entered the water, she was transformed into a frightful monster with twelve feet and six heads, each with three rows of teeth. Angry, growling wolf heads grew from her waist, and she tried to brush them off. She stood there in utter misery, unable to move, loathing and destroying everything that came into her reach, a peril to all sailors who passed near her. Whenever a ship passed, each of her heads would seize one of the crew.

Scylla is rationalised in the Aeneid as a dangerous rock outcropping.

Later Antiquity[link]

In a late Greek myth,^[6] it was said that Heracles encountered Scylla during a journey to Sicily and slew her. Her father, the sea-god Phorcys, then applied flaming torches to her body and restored her to life. According to John Tzetzes^[7] and Servius' commentary on the Aeneid,^[8] Scylla was a beautiful naiad who was claimed by Poseidon, but the jealous Amphitrite turned her into a monster by poisoning the water of the spring where Scylla would bathe. A similar story is found in Hyginus^[9]: according to him, Scylla was the daughter of the river god Crataeis and was loved by Glaucus, but Glaucus himself was also loved by Circe. When Scylla was bathing in the sea, the jealous Circe poured some potion into the sea water, which caused Scylla to transform into a monster. The fact that Scylla devoured some of Odysseus' companions is thus regarded as an act of her revenge on Circe, considering that Odysseus too was loved by the sorceress.

In European culture[link]

At the Carolingian abbey of Corvey in Westphalia, a unique ninth-century wall painting depicts, among other things, Odysseus' fight with Scylla, an illustration not noted elsewhere in medieval arts.^[10]

In John Keats' loose retelling of Ovid's version of the myth of Scylla and Glaucus in Book 3 of Endymion (1818), the evil Circe does not transform Scylla into a monster but merely murders the beautiful nymph. Glaucus then takes her corpse to a crystal palace at the bottom of the ocean where the bodies all lovers who have died at sea lie. After a thousand years, she is resurrected by Endymion and reunited with Glaucus.^[11]

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Hanfmann, George M. A., "The Scylla of Corvey and Her Ancestors" Dumbarton Oaks Papers 41 "Studies on Art and Archeology in Honor of Ernst Kitzinger on His Seventy-Fifth Birthday" (1987), pp. 249–260. Hanfman assembles Classical and Christian literary and visual testimony of Scylla, from Mesopotamian origins to his ostensible subject, a ninth-century wall painting at Corvey Abbey.

External links[link]

Look up scylla in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Theoi Project, Skylla references in classical literature and ancient art.
• Images of Scylla on Classical artefacts

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Scylla

Kery James
Show in France, in Rennes (2008)
Background information
Birth name	Alix Mathurin
Born	(1977-12-28) December 28, 1977 (age 34) Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, West Indies
Genres	French rap, hardcore rap, conscious rap
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter, dancer, record producer, philanthropist
Years active	1992–present
Associated acts	Mafia K'1 Fry, Idéal J
Website	keryjames-officiel.skyrock.com

Alix Mathurin (born, December 28, 1977) better known as Kery James, is a French rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer and record producer, who was born in West Indies from Haitian parents. His mother raised him in Orly, a suburb of Paris. Nowadays with his three solo albums, he is one of the most respected French rappers. The media labelled him "the rapper repented through Islam". Kery James is aware of it, he really assumes this image. " I prefer to be the one who hold this role rather than somebody else. Numerous young Muslims are tempted to be intolerant or extremist. If I can open their eyes it is a good thing for them."

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Kery James arrived in continental France at the age of seven. He started at a young age to rap, dance, and write his own texts. The famous MC Solaar noticed him when he was only 10 years old in a cité (suburban housing estate) of Paris. He described the setting as "A place where the Islamic faith was omnipresent. All my friends in , and the symbols of the religion.

At around thirteen years old, he became a member of the group Idéal Junior (later abbreviated to Idéal J). They garnered a few singles with explicit titles like Hardcore, Pour une poignée de dollars and a first album titled Original MC’s sur une mission. In 1992, their single La vie est dure was released showing great promise though one of the talented artists, Alter, promptly left the group. In subsequent years while colleague Mehdi progressed as a prominent producer, Kery worked extensively on writing new material, his texts reflecting a life that involved altercations with the police, street rivalries and an omnipresent fear of death.

In 1996 the band's first album under the moniker Ideal J led the group to became renowned and respected as amongst the top French rappers with well-known singles like Ghetto français, Show business and, Je veux du cash. Ideal J multiplied their appearances on Maxis and as featured acts, reaching a surprising maturity with the single J'désole mes parents present on the compilation Nouvelle donne. However, Kery's career was put temporarily on hold in 1999 when his close childhood friend Las Montana was shot and killed. Kery took refuge in religious faith and took the name Ali as a symbol of his full conversion to Islam.

Solo career[link]

In October 2001 his solo album "Si c'était à refaire" with, among others, the tracks "28 décembre 1977", "Si c'était à refaire", "Soledad", "Y'a pas d'couleur". Released in 2001, this album is very personal and benefits from numerous collaborations: Nubians, Salif Keita... The rap is influenced by African, Arabic, Cuban musical influences, without forgetting the use of percussions and original instruments for this music style as the xylophone. He sings his African roots but also the problems of society like money, violence, and moral values. This album reflects the surprising maturity of Kery.

In 2004, Kery James' second album, Ma vérité continued to underline social and political militant messages taking positions on such subjects as the war in Iraq and on reality TV. However, at the same time, duets with very popular stars such as Diam's Mélanie Giorgadès and Amel Bent, started to distance him from his underground image.

In March 2008 this metamorphosis to mainstream popularity was underlined by a new album À l'ombre du show business whose title track was a collaboration with legendary French chanson star Charles Aznavour. Other tracks included Le combat continue part III, Banlieusards and Vrai Peura. On its first week of release the album reached third place on the French charts with 24,459 albums sold. For the music videos of this album, he worked with Luc Besson, Matthieu Kassovitz, J.G Biggs and Chris Macari.

Discography[link]

Albums and EPs[link]

Solo albums

• 2002 : Si c'était à refaire
• 2004 : Savoir et vivre ensemble
• 2005 : Ma vérité
• 2008 : À l'ombre du show business
• 2009 : Réel
• 2010 : À mon public (live album)
• 2012 : 92.2012

with Ideal Junior

• 1992 : La vie est brutale (Maxi-single)

with Ideal J

• 1996 : O'riginal MC's sur une mission
• 1998 : Le Combat Continue

with Mafia K'1 fry

• 1997 : Les liens sacrés
• 1999 : Légendaire
• 2003 : La cerise sur le ghetto
• 2007 : Jusqu'à la mort (+ reissue)

Singles[link]

Solo

• 2001: "Y'a pas d'couleur"
• 2004: "Relève la tête" (Kery James pres. Lino, AP, Diam's, Passi, Matt & Kool Shen)
• 2012: "Lettre à la République"

Collaborations[link]

1991

• MC Solaar feat. Raggasonic & Kery James - "Raggajam" on MC Solaar's album, Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo

1995

• Ideal J - Mauvais garçon on the soundtrack of Raï (1995)
• Ideal J - Ce soir, on est down on the soundtrack of Raï (1995)
• Ideal J - Orly City Bronx on the mixtape Orly City Bronx

1996

• Ideal J - Attaque/Contre attaque on the mixtape Invasion

1997

• Kery James feat. 113 & Rohff - "Dans Ta Race" on the compilation Mysta D. presents L'invincible armada
• Different Teep feat. Kery James - "Ras" on Different Teep's album, La rime urbaine
• Ideal J - "Cash Remix" on the compilation L 432

1998

• 113 Feat Kery James - Association sur le EP du 113, Ni Barreaux, Ni Barrières, Ni Frontières
• Manu Key Feat Lil Jahson & Kery James - "Triste point en commun" sur l'album éponyme de Manu Key
• Ideal J Feat 113 & Intouchable - "La voie que j'ai donnée à ma vie" sur la compile Nouvelle Donne

1999

• Alibi Montana Feat Kery James - "Le monde a cracké" sur l'album d'Alibi, T'as ma parole
• Prodige Namor Feat Kery James - "L'année de tous les dangers" sur l'album de Prodige Namor, L'heure de vérité
• Daomen Feat Kery James - "J'émerge" sur l'album de Daomen, Underground Classic
• Kery James Feat Rocca, Shurik'N & Hamed Daye - "Animalement votre" sur la mixtape Première classe vol. 1
• 113 Feat 113 Clan - Main Dans La Main sur l'album du 113, Les Princes de la ville

2000

• Kery James - "J'émerge (remix)" sur la compile Nouvelle Donne Collector Vol.1
• Kery James - "Les frères ne savent pas" sur la compile Time Bomb Session Vol.1
• Kertra Feat Kery James - "Face à face" sur l'album de Kertra, Le labyrinthe

2003

• Mafia K'1 Fry Feat Kery James - "Nuage de fumée Part II" sur l'album de la Mafia, La Cerise Sur Le Ghetto

2004

• Rim'K Feat Kery James - "Intact" sur l'album de Rim'K , L'enfant du pays
• Kery James Feat Booba - "Chacun Sa Manière" sur la compile Street Lourd Hall Stars
• Rohff Feat Kery James - "Mal aimé" sur l'album de Rohff, La Fierté Des Nôtres
• Kery James - "Laissez" sur la compile Des 2 cotés

2005

• Kool Shen Feat Kery James & Sinik - "That's my people" lors du dernier concert de Kool Shen au Zénith de Paris
• Tandem Feat Kery James, Faf La Rage, Diam's, Tunisiano & Kazkami - "Le Jugement" sur l'album de Tandem, C'est toujours pour ceux qui savent
• Kery James - "Je N'crois Plus En L'illicite" sur la compile Illicite Projet
• Mac Tyer Feat Kery James - "Patrimoine Du Ghetto" sur la compile Patrimoine Du Ghetto
• Kery James Feat Manu Key & A.P. - "Humanity" sur la compile Zone Caraïbes
• Kery James - "Attention" sur la compile Rap Performance
• Samat Feat Kery James & Larsen - "Le repentir" sur le Street CD de Samat, Samat Feat Hip Hop de rue
• Kery James - "Outro" sur la compile De la poudre au Rap

2006

• Heckel & Geckel Feat Kery James - "Moins de 20 ans" sur l'album d'Heckel & Geckel, Street Show

OGB Feat Kery James - "Ninety Four Side" sur l'album d'OGB, Enfermé Dehors

• Mac Tyer Feat Kery James - "Suicide carcéral" sur l'album de Mac Tyer, Le Général
• Rim'K Feat Kery James - "T'as Le Choix" sur la compile Illegal Radio
• Apash Feat Kery James - "3 horizons Differents" sur le Street CD d'Apash, Du Bon Son Pour Une Bonne Cause

2007

• M. Toma Feat Kery James - "Ouvrir ton cœur" sur l'album de M. Toma, Identité
• Kery James - "Symphonie d'amour" sur la B.O. du film Taxi 4
• Kery James - "1 pour la cause" sur la mixtape Ghetto Truand & Associés
• Manu Key Feat Kery James, F.dy Phenomen, Die & Tiwony - "Babylon System" sur l'album de Manu Key, Prolifique Vol.2
• Melissa M Feat Kery James - "Lettre à la tristesse" sur l'album de Melissa M, Avec tout mon amour
• Kery James Feat K'libre 13 - "Avance" sur la mixtape Opinion sur rue 3
• Kery James Feat Heckel & Geckel, Youssoupha, Smoker, Kamel L'ancien, Ben-J, Pit Baccardi, Diam's, Kalash L'afro, Ikbal Vockal, Seth Gueko, Sear Lui Même, Baba, Dosseh, Salif, James Izmad, Despo Rutti, Mister C, Alibi Montana, Mr Toma & Mac Tyer - "On ne sait pas abandonner" en hommage à l'émission Couvre Feu sur Skyrock
• Rohff Feat Kery James & Dragon Davy - "9.4 Mental" sur le Street CD de Rohff, Le chauchemar du Rap français
• TLF Feat Kery James - "Le box" sur l'album de TLF, Rêves de rue
• Kamelancien Feat Kery James - "J'résiste" sur la réédition de l'album de Kamel L'ancien, Le charme en personne
• Bakar Feat Kery James - "N'incite pas" sur l'album de Bakar, La rose du béton
• Idjal Feat Kery James & Farenheit - "Victimes du passé" sur l'album d'Idjal, Enfant du monde
• Légende Urbaine Feat Kery James - "D'humeur guerrière" sur l'album de Légende Urbaine, L'école de ma rue

2008

• Grand Corps Malade feat Kery James & Oxmo Puccino - "À la recherche" sur l'album de Grand Corps Malade, Enfant de la ville
• Zap Mama feat Kery James - "Apres La Pluie," A L’Ombre Du Show Business

External links[link]

• (French) Site officiel, sur Skyrock.com
• (French) « J'aurais pu dire », version audio
• (French) « J'aurai pu dire », version vidéo
• (French) Biographie et airplays de Kery James