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

The image symbolizes Karik's new album, featuring a figure with a pair of knife-like wings on his shoulders - Photo: Provided by the artist.

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

This image symbolizes Karik's final rap line in his new song "Diary of Life ," which paves the way for this album: "Hopefully your life isn't like mine. Smiling on the outside, but with knives stuck in your back."

Karik's dark and bright sides

Karik released the music video for "Diary of Life" on June 20th. To date, the MV has over 2 million views on YouTube, ranking 4th on the trending music charts. His double album, "421," will be released on July 11th.

Teaser for rapper Karik's album 421

This double album marks Karik's 15-year journey in Vietnamese rap, filled with ups and downs. He will release two albums simultaneously, titled Bright Side and Dark Side, representing two contrasting styles in his music.

Dark Side brings back Karik's edgy and down-to-earth style from his underground days, while Bright Side features songs that appeal to the mainstream audience.

In "Diary of Life," Karik collaborates with another "big name" in the rap scene, Thai VG. Both were prominent coaches on the Rap Viet program.

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

Karik and Thai VG, two veteran names in Vietnamese rap, collaborate on a new song - Photo: Provided by the artist.

Karik himself has been controversial for transitioning from a famous underground rapper to mainstream at a very young age.

The rap lyrics in "Diary of Life" depict the wounds inflicted by the very people he trusted, leading him to realize he can't trust anyone but himself.

"Sometimes, feeling lost and lonely like this is actually good. And if you're unlucky enough to fall down someday, don't expect anything from anyone in this life," he reflected.

Through the song, Karik also expressed his gratitude to music for saving his life: "Besides a withered soul and a broken heart, thankfully music helped me survive each day and move forward."

Karik's thoughts

Fans are hoping that the new double album will provide a better understanding of Karik's thoughts and feelings over the past two years – a relatively quiet period in his career.

In September 2023, during the final night of Rap Viet season 3, he worried viewers with his gloomy appearance and refusal to answer questions from MC Tran Thanh on live television.

Later, there were reports that Karik's health was not good, suffering from ligament injuries, conjunctivitis, and fever...

Karik in Rap Viet, the program that brought his name to a wider audience - Photo: Organizers

Last October, Karik returned with the rap song "Bạn đời" (Life Partner), which has a melancholic and heartbreaking feel. Karik also emphasized the authenticity of rap music.

Karik once revealed that he suffers from bipolar disorder. He has repeatedly left social media because of the negative energy it generates.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/karik-chiem-nghiem-cuoc-doi-mieng-thi-cuoi-con-lung-gam-toan-dao-20240625113312291.htm