If you think French music is limited to old chansons, then think again! On Thursday night in Beijing, a line-up of francophone artists proved just how cool French music can be when delivered through poetry slams, rap, electronica, rock, and pop. It's all part of the "Mars en Folie" festival taking place in 11 cities throughout China. 

Rapping and slamming in French, D-Track knows how to rouse a crowd, no matter what language they speak.

For the past few years, he's been a major name on the bold and fresh Canadian hip-hop scene.

Representing Quebec in Canada, he's among four bands invited to China for the Mars en Folie Festival. 

D-Track the rapper shares with CGTN that: "I like the way the artists write their poetry, for me it's an impressive way to write poetry. I like everything about it (rap), about the genre. The aesthetics, the creation, their attitude and the way the music is done, it's like a universal language, I think people in China Africa Quebec Canada, they can understand their language and adapt that to their own culture."

This year sees the 11th "Mars en Folie" festival. It offers a wide palette of sounds from Swiss rock band "Le Roi Angus", and their blend of vintage pop and psychedelic rock, Belgian pop band RIVE's nostalgic experience, to French group Fergessen and their raw electro-pop rock energy. 

"The French language music scene has evolved a lot, it's good to show more sides of it. Not just the classics like Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel. And tonight's the perfect platform because you get to see all these different styles," said Michaela Chariau and Paul Gremillet, from the French band Fergessen. 

"It's our first visit to China, and our first concert here tonight. So very excited. We're looking forward to explore the culture here and maybe get some musical inspiration," said Juliette Bosse from Belgium pop band RIVE.

"It's a great honor to represent Switzerland here at the music fest. And this slogan on our T-shirts, though we don't know how to pronounce the Chinese, there's plenty of things going on here, a very vibrant music scene," said Les Rois Angus, pop band from Switzerland.

These artists come from four different francophone countries, each bringing their distinctive voices and styles of music. It’s a testament to how "diversity" can actually be a powerful way to strengthen solidarity.

"So for this 11th edition of Mars en Folie, is what we called the new scene, so it's all very young groups, young bands making amazing music, it can be pop, rock, rap, folk or even afro, that makes us alive again, I should say." Thierry Lasserre, General delegate of Alliance Francaise said.

The festival not only offers an eclectic musical experience for Francophiles in China, but also a chance for these musical ambassadors from different countries to get acquainted with China.

“Kevin Mahe from Belgium pop band RIVE said: ”It's the same thing for us Europeans, China for us is still a place far away and mysterious. We just can’t wait to go off and explore the city."

“Mars en Folie" will head down to Hong Kong next and wrap up in Guangzhou on March 31.