Tonton, aka Rim’K, member of the legendary 113 crew and cornerstone of the Mafia K’1 Fry, stands as one of the true pioneers of French rap. From the heart of his native 94 — the iconic “golden triangle” Orly–Choisy–Vitry — he and his group earned one of the very first Victoires de la Musique ever awarded to a rap act, at a time when the genre was still emerging and often dismissed under the label “urban music”. A monument in every sense of the word.
While many artists from the 90s — and even the 2000s — struggle to stage successful comebacks today, Rim’K has long managed to reinvent himself as a solo act with a deeply contemporary vision. He’s not here to replay the “Princes de la Ville” era. Since his project ADN, he has multiplied collaborations with the new wave — most notably Ninho on “Air Max” — constantly adapting his sound while preserving the sharp pen and powerful flow that define him. A true chameleon of French rap.
Last January, the artist released Run, featuring L2B, two rising voices from the 94 known for their high-energy tracks. He then expanded the project with Run Evolution. Thanks to the title track featuring SDM, he earned a platinum single — an impressive feat for an artist whose first releases came long before the current generation was even born.
On Run Evolution, we also find Genezio and Saïf. More recently, he unveiled the video for Rose Blanche, a track built around Arabic instrumental samples and centered on a love story — a theme rare enough in Tonton’s career to be worth highlighting.
Rim’K tells the story of his “Rose Blanche”!
The instrumental production is handled by Boumidjal and Holomobb. A former member of Double X, Boumidjal helped shape French rap throughout the 2010s. He frequently works with the duo Holomobb, responsible for tracks such as “Numéro 23” by Rim’K, “McLaren” by Favé, “AVALM” by SDM, and even “Run” by Rim’K and SDM. A team with whom Rim’K has developed a strong and consistent artistic chemistry.
The producers chose to incorporate traditional Arabic instruments — including the ney — resulting in a refined and evocative composition. Rim’K uses it to narrate a love story built on contrast and duality.
“In my desert, I saw a little flower grow
I dreamed I married a queen at the edge of the universe
And pushed away evil with a laser sword”
and later:
“If your heart is a sponge, mine’s made of stone
She shines like a star in the shadow or in the light”
The visual is directed by Axel Haze, who chose two actors to embody the love story between Rim’K and his “Rose Blanche”. He previously directed notable videos such as “T’aimes ça” by Monsieur Nov, “Go” by Rim’K and Kekra, and “Violet” by Uzi and RK.
