Karik contemplates life: 'Smiling on the mouth but full of knives in the back'

Hình ảnh tượng trưng cho album mới của Karik với tạo hình trên vai là một đôi cánh bằng dao - Ảnh: NVCC — The symbolic image for Karik's new album features a pair of knife wings on his shoulder - Photo: NVCC

In the trailer for the double album 421 , rapper Karik appears with a pair of knife wings on his shoulders.

This is the image that symbolizes Karik's last rap line in the new song Nhat ky va doi , which opens the way for this album: "I hope your life is not like mine. Smiling but with knives in your back."

Karik's dark and bright side

The MV Nhat ky va doi was released by Karik on June 20. To date, the MV has more than 2 million views on YouTube, ranking 4th on the music trending list. The double album 421 will be released on July 11.

Teaser album 421 by rapper Karik

The double album marks Karik's 15-year journey with Vietnamese rap, full of ups and downs. He will release two albums at the same time, called Bright Side and Dark Side, representing two contrasting colors in his music.

Dark side brings Karik back from his underground rapper days with grit and substance. Bright side will be songs that conquer the tastes of the general public.

In Diary of Life, Karik collaborated with another "big brother" of the rap world, Thai VG. Both were prominent coaches on the show Rap Viet.

Karik was a coach in seasons 1 and 2 and a judge in season 3. Thai VG was a coach in season 3.

Karik và Thái VG, hai tên tuổi — Karik and Thai VG, two "veterans" of Vietnamese rap, collaborate on a new song - Photo: NVCC

Karik himself caused controversy when he was a famous underground rapper who switched to mainstream activities very early.

The rap verses in Diary of Life depict the wounds from the very people he trusted, only to realize that he could not trust anyone but himself.

"Sometimes being alone like that is good. And if you accidentally fall down in the future, don't expect anyone in this life" - he contemplated.

Through the song, Karik also expressed his gratitude to music for saving his life: "Apart from a broken soul. And a broken heart. Luckily, music helps me survive the day and move forward."

Karik's thoughts

Fans expect that through the new double album, they will better understand Karik's thoughts over the past two years - a rather quiet time in his career.

In September 2023, during the final night of Rap Viet season 3, he made the audience worried when he looked gloomy and refused to answer MC Tran Thanh's questions on live television.

Then, there was information that Karik's health was not good, he had a ligament injury, pink eye and fever...