Kaaris Returns to His Roots with “BYAKUGAN” and Unveils the “Van Halen” Music Video

One year after “Z.E.R.O”, Kaaris returns with his new mixtape “BYAKUGAN”, released on June 12. After just one week on the market, the project surpassed 10,000 album-equivalent sales, proving that the Sevran rapper continues to command a remarkably loyal fanbase. First propelled into the spotlight in 2013 with the landmark album “Or Noir”, produced by Therapy, Kaaris is widely credited with helping establish trap as one of the defining sounds of French rap at a time when the genre had already taken over the United States and the earliest influences of drill were beginning to emerge.

Born and raised in Sevran, a city that has gradually become one of the strongholds of French hip-hop, Kaaris has long been at the center of debates surrounding his role in putting his hometown on the map. A symbolic rivalry also developed with Booba, who maintained close ties with several influential figures from Sevran, with both artists claiming a form of legitimacy over the city’s rap legacy. One fact, however, remains undisputed: “Or Noir” has become one of the defining albums of modern French rap, leaving a lasting influence on an entire generation of artists.

Nearly thirteen years after releasing that now-iconic record, Kaaris returns with encouraging commercial results. During an interview with Mehdi Maïzi on France Inter, the rapper admitted that he often feels he is constantly being measured against his own masterpiece:

“Every time I drop something, people insult me.”

According to him, several of his projects are on the same artistic level as “Or Noir”, but the legendary status of that album has turned it into an almost unreachable benchmark in the eyes of many listeners.

The project’s strong commercial start can also be explained by a genuine return to his roots. From the very first singles released ahead of “BYAKUGAN”, beginning with “La Chèvre” and later “Freestyle Petzi”, Kaaris reconnects with the dark, brutal and visceral universe that first defined his career. His writing goes far beyond simple provocation, relying instead on striking imagery, razor-sharp metaphors and an uncompromising vision that has characterized his work from “Kalash” all the way to “Van Halen”.

This duality has always been one of the defining traits of his artistic identity. As early as “Le Bruit de mon âme”, both through the album itself and its visual aesthetic, Kaaris explored two opposing sides of his personality: a discreet sense of light constantly overshadowed by a much darker presence that has fueled his writing since the very beginning of his career.

That artistic continuity naturally extends to the music video for “Van Halen”, chosen to support the release of “BYAKUGAN”.

Kaaris unveils the “Van Halen” music video to support “BYAKUGAN”

The track is produced by Biggy-Joe, who had already teamed up with Kaaris on “La Chèvre”, the mixtape’s lead single. One of the fastest-rising producers on the French scene, Biggy-Joe has also crafted “Sale État” for Ninho and Gradur, “200 m” for RK, and “Silence” for Sicario.

His production perfectly complements Kaaris‘ artistic universe. Crushing basslines, ominous synth layers and metallic textures create a soundscape that feels tailor-made for the Sevran rapper’s uncompromising delivery. The instrumental recalls the intensity of his most iconic records, combining relentless energy with a dark, almost claustrophobic atmosphere.

The track is built around pure bravado, as illustrated by these bars:

“You’re all dirty traitors and you reek of decline, I wish upon you the worst a human being can endure.
You can rap until you’re out of breath, you’ll never reach the level of my weakest verse.
You could rap standing in front of your own grave, you’ll never make a classic like ‘Zoo’.”

Released before “Or Noir”, “Zoo” marked one of the first major breakthroughs of Kaaris‘ career. The song introduced an artist with an instantly recognizable identity and foreshadowed the impact he would later have on the French rap landscape, even if mainstream recognition came later than it did for many of his contemporaries.

The music video for “Van Halen”, dark, enigmatic and cinematic, was directed by Sponge. Dressed entirely in black, Kaaris wanders through a haunting nocturnal landscape dominated by an ominous moon, as though trapped somewhere between reality and nightmare. AI-generated visual sequences are seamlessly woven into the narrative, enhancing the video’s unsettling atmosphere without overshadowing its aesthetic coherence.

This latest collaboration further strengthens the creative partnership between Sponge and Kaaris. The director had previously helmed the visuals for “Freestyle Petzi”, once again demonstrating his ability to capture the rapper’s bleak, aggressive and highly cinematic artistic vision.