[INTERVIEW] Antilop Sa (ATK): the living memory of French underground rap
ATK, a legendary French rap collective, left its mark on the 90s with a raw and uncompromising style. Their 1997 album Heptagone remains one of the crown jewels of the underground scene. Today, we catch up with Antilop Sa, one of the group’s founding members, to revisit that era—and to understand what it all means today.
1. The Beginning
Q1. How was ATK originally formed?
Tell us about the genesis of the collective, the first encounters, and the vibe of the time…
Thanks to the lyrical section made up of Cyanure Kesdo (RIP) and Axis, with connections in Saint Blaise (20th district of Paris), many of us were trying our hand at this art. There was a galvanizing energy, a unifying current, an undeniable chemistry. We were more than twenty—basically a big “posse”—a collective expression of that era. Our strength was in our diversity: backgrounds, cultures, flows, all combining into an explosive cocktail around a shared passion.
2. The Rise
Q2. When did you feel things were taking off, that the audience was responding?
Can you explain how recognition slowly came about, leading to the Heptagone album?
We were a territorial group, tied to the 20th district where some members came from. Our name quickly spread across Paris and beyond because mixtapes were our weapons of choice. We had quite a few under our belt (RIP Dontcha Flex), and they played a huge role in making us known in the underground. But it was really the compilation Nouvelle Donne 1 that gave the collective a chance to “step into the light” with the track Attaque à Mic Armé featuring Zoxeakopat from Sages Poètes de la Rue.
3. The Legacy of Heptagone
Q3. Heptagone is seen as an underground classic. What changed for you after that album?
Honestly, not much. The media always snubbed us—nothing was easy back then, and it still isn’t today.
4. Era vs. Era
Q4. What differences do you see between making rap in the 90s and today?
Whether in production methods, themes, or mindset…
I won’t be original here—rap has become a full-blown industry. Things are bigger than everyone, even artists don’t always know what they’re doing anymore. There’s cultural plundering, the gears are controlled by fakes. In short, the forecast isn’t looking good. On top of that, in today’s age of extreme individualism, making rap means dealing with all of that—and still finding a way to create. Everyone carries their own cross…
5. Where Are They Now?
Q5. What happened to the other members of ATK today? And you—where are you now, musically and personally?
Do some continue while others turned the page completely?
I’ll let you reach out to the group members directly—they’ll have a lot to share as well. It keeps the memory of the clan alive. As for me, I’ve released two albums, Printemps Noir volume 1 and Printemps Noir volume 2, and a book with Mindset editions, “S’Endort-on dans nos Rêves”. Alongside my column “Entretien avec le Shogun” for Starwaxmag, we just dropped, with Le Jouage (supported by Dj Lord Saigneur Deux Platines), two versions of the mixtape Phonographe One Shot: Etat Brut and 2luxx. The latter is available on cassette via Le Club K7 and digitally through Wiseband/Ase Record.
I’m currently finishing my next album, “Ce que le Vent Murmure”, recorded in Thailand and produced by Le Jouage. Recently, with a partner in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, I opened a place to bring music together: the Phonolounge, sponsored by Starwaxmag. It’s a space for art, emotion, and culture—the opening is coming soon…
6. Today: Your Relationship with Music
Q6. What are you working on right now? Is there a solo project, maybe a return with ATK?
Q7. Would you say your music has evolved—your writing, your vision, your drive?
I’ll answer with the last part first: rap is a state of mind, a constant mental exercise, a reflection, a way of looking at the world and at others. My art is in constant evolution. […] Le Jouage produced the album, and Dj Lord Saigneur Deux Platines played a major role in shaping it with his turntable work. It’s set to be released in November 2025 via Wiseband.
7. A Look at Rap Today
Q8. Do you think rap was “better back then”, or do you still find what you like in today’s scene?
Q9. Who listens to your music these days—in France and abroad?
Rap is good if it’s done right—regardless of the era. Personally, I vibe with underdogs like Diksa, Seven l’Homme 7, Chef Moha, Kaiman Lanimal, Sitou Koudadje, Costello, Le Jouage, James Delleck… Abroad: Ibaaku, Sembe in Senegal, Lazy Bad Monday and Yoshihiro Yuki in Japan, Lucius and the Chiryu Squad in Bangkok, Thailand.
Closing
Q11. If you had one message for young people getting into rap today, what would it be?
Q12. And finally, what’s your current news? Where can people follow you, see you live, or listen to your upcoming work?
Passion above all, love for music. And “If you have something to do, do it—and do it fast.” My latest news: the video “Caresse la Détente”, shot in Thailand by Wang Ô and 239 Studio CNX, produced by Le Jouage. The album CE QUE LE VENT MURMURE will be out in November 2025. And we’ll soon be opening the doors of the Phonolounge, God willing. The projects Phonographe One Shot Etat Brut and Phonographe 2luxx are already available on all platforms.
