Ziak made a thunderous entrance into the rap game with his album “Akimbo”, which was certified gold within just a few days. Dubbed the new king of drill, he mocks those who claim his success was mere luck, particularly in the track “Dans les règles”:
“Second album, top 1, we’ll see if it’s just luck.”
Now, he’s back with “Essonne History X”, a dark, raw, and hard-hitting project. Staying true to his signature style, the rapper has yet to “change his stance”. With a bold “0% Zumba” approach, this project makes no concessions to mainstream urban pop sounds.
The title “Essonne History X” references the cult film “American History X”, which tells the story of a reformed skinhead haunted by his past. Perhaps – or is this an ambitious interpretation? – Ziak, now an established artist, finds himself reflecting on a hypothetical past tied to street life. One thing remains certain: his identity remains a mystery, concealed behind his mask.
Ziak breaks (a little) his silence in “Clique”
In the show “Clique”, hosted by Mouloud Achour, the rapper finally reveals a hint about his origins: he hails from 91, specifically Grigny. His alias, “Ziak“, is a term commonly used in his hometown. He continues promoting his project with the track “Story”.
Ziak tells his “Story”!
The production for this track is handled by Lowonstage, a trusted beatmaker who has contributed to several of Ziak’s key tracks, including “Chrome”, “Tomb Raider”, “Seinen”, and “Pistol & Zamal”. He has also played a major role in multiple productions on “Essonne History X”.
The instrumental is built around a **melancholic violin sample**, reminiscent of a scene from a manga, enhanced by a modern drill rhythm. The contrast is striking: the sample evokes 90s-2000s productions, reminiscent of artists like Guizmo on tracks like “C’est tout”, while the rhythm is firmly rooted in contemporary drill soundscapes.
Between introspection and storytelling
As always, Ziak immerses his audience in the raw realities of **street life**, staying true to his dark and authentic storytelling:
“If you talk to me right now, you’re talking into the void / I got a 12-gauge under the bed and a kilo of weed vacuum-sealed.”
While Ziak embraces an egotistical rap style, he remains deeply aware of the struggles and dangers of the streets, similar to PNL in “Deux frères”:
“The first attack didn’t come from me, the last one, well, we’ll see / Either way, I lose a little piece of my soul every morning but I still say thanks (Still).”
He also reflects on his newfound success and the shift in his lifestyle:
“Waking up in another city, waking up in a hotel (C.C) / Spent half an hour on the phone, banker, accountant, notary.”
A cinematic and immersive music video
The video takes on a **documentary-like** approach, as if we are following Ziak in his everyday life. The visuals depict scenes that illustrate his experiences, his “Story”.
Behind this production are Dénys Bourbier and Peter Parker. The latter, coming from a filmmaking background, brings a polished and immersive aesthetic to the clip. The project carries an even deeper significance considering that Ziak lost his longtime collaborator, director Valentin Petit, who was behind the visuals for “Même pas un grincement”.
Watch the official music video for Ziak – “Story”
