In 2023, TK, the masked rapper, makes a strong comeback with his project Avant la fête, featuring prominent collaborations with Fresh La Douille, AM La Scampia, Aymane Serhani, Lujipeka, and Enima. While he started his career in 2020 under Jul’s label, Rien 100 Rien, his latest project was released under Olympique de Marseille / BMG. Despite this shift, TK remains true to the legacy of his mentor, the undisputed king of Marseille rap, and continues to embody a style that has shaped music in France and Europe. Among his highlights is his contribution to the second edition of 13 Organisé, with the iconic track Mental 13, paying homage to the new wave of Marseille rap, following in the footsteps of their predecessors who shined with Sous le soleil.
In a 2020 interview with 20 Minutes, TK reflected on his beginnings with Jul:
“He completely allowed me to break through. His support is crucial—it gives credibility and reassurance. It builds confidence to be alongside the strongest, the number one. It’s like being in a schoolyard fight and knowing that if someone messes with you, you’ve got the strongest person on your side. Initially, I made music out of passion, and when this opportunity came along, I thought, why not? I had nothing to lose anyway. This guidance and exposure that Jul gave me are simply incredible.”
In 2023, TK hits hard with a new explosive track, full of second-degree humor, titled Cartel de Ali. The track references the infamous Cali Cartel, popularized by the Netflix series Narcos.
TK introduces “Cartel de Ali”!
The musical production of this track is the work of Samzer and Zerto, two well-known names in the industry. Samzer, who previously collaborated with TK on Oh mi amor, has also produced hits for Alrima (Fini les folles) and Gips (Samedi soir, Un siphon). Meanwhile, Zerto made a name for himself with productions for Solda (Boss) and worked with Samzer on Fini les folles by Alrima.
This track fits seamlessly into the lineage of Marseille rap, popularized by Jul since 2014. This style, adopted by iconic artists like Naps, has crossed borders to conquer Europe. These “Jul-style tracks”, immortalized by Mouloud Achour in an interview with Jul, represent a musical trend that TK has become a leading ambassador of.
Despite his laid-back attitude, TK continues to rack up success, cementing his status as a must-watch artist.
An energetic and introspective track
With Cartel de Ali, TK dives into a dynamic and impactful egotrip:
“I claw her like a feline, I know in the end, you’ll be chasing me.”
Staying true to the Marseille tradition, a chorus adds depth to the refrain:
“I hooked you, now you’re addicted.”
A colorful music video
The music video, filled with humor and second-degree references, was shot in the Panier district of Marseille, where TK originates. The visuals bring Cartel de Ali to life in a playful and offbeat way. Directed by By Dimeh, the clip follows his remarkable work on Freestyle (Le massacre de la Saint-Sylvestre 2023) by Alonzo.
