AMK, a rapper from Paris’ 15th arrondissement, embodies a new wave of artists who are both deeply rooted and boldly innovative. A self-proclaimed admirer of the collective 1995 and of Nekfeu, he shares with them a deep passion for words and the raw energy of kickage. In an interview with Le Code following his appearance on Nouvelle École, he revealed that Nekfeu was one of the first to believe in his talent. That mutual respect eventually led to a notable collaboration on the album 15, a project rich in symbolism for AMK.
He rose to wider fame through season 3 of Nouvelle École, joining SCH’s team, where he stood out as a true OVNI—a French acronym for UFO—meaning he defied all standard classification. In that same interview, he said that over the years, he had developed a real killer instinct. He added: “If there’s one thing all the greats have in common, it’s that they have a killer instinct.” For AMK, this instinct is not just about success—it’s about survival, both artistically and personally.
Recently, AMK dropped a new single alongside fellow artist SDM, someone he holds in high regard. The track, titled R.10, pays homage to Ronaldinho, the Brazilian football legend and one of the first global stars to play in Paris before the QSI era began.
AMK and SDM celebrate R.10!
The instrumental, produced by Traplysse and Shayaa, hits with force and finesse. Traplysse, known for his work with Werenoi—notably on Diamant Noir and L’addition—teams up again with Shayaa, a close collaborator of Ninho. Together, they’ve crafted standout tracks like Bon qu’à ça, Blue Story, Rich Porter, and Edouard Nahum. Their latest beat is hard-hitting, sharp-edged, and elevated by sparkling high-pitched notes that subtly echo the ethereal feel of If I Ruled the World by Nas.
The song oscillates between unapologetic egotrip and razor-sharp punchlines:
“Xavi, Iniesta, la vista, I show up rookie, leave as locker room capo, real (Bro, that’s real)
Light flow, Leicester, I deserve the number 7 at Manchester (Siu)
No, I deserve the Real one (Real), I sit on the iron throne in Port-Réal (Thanks)”
But it also takes a political turn, referencing the ongoing tragedy in eastern Congo:
“In the East, thousands dead, I want Kagame dead, I’m done pretending, I’m fed up (Real)
We want our land back, we want to honor our dead (That’s real)”
The music video, directed by SANK and FNTYLS, features AMK and SDM decked out head to toe in Paris Saint-Germain gear, proudly roaming the streets of Paris with a lively crowd of fans. Stylish, energetic, and impeccably executed, the visual stands as a vibrant tribute to Ronaldinho.
