Parenthèse

Description

Parenthèse, the debut solo album of the singer from the group Danakil, is well-known to the reggae audience since the 2000s and the emergence of the Parisian collective at the forefront of the French scene. For this new project, Balik completely changes his universe and returns to the source of his musical influences by immersing himself in a cultural movement that has supported him since his beginnings. Nourished by French rap since his teenage years, carried away by the spirit and social function commonly conveyed by hip-hop and reggae, the artist has always identified with both of these powerful musical currents. This new project, the first under his own name, is the result of several years of deep meditation and meticulous preparation. Parenthèse sets the scene. Balik announces right from the title that he is offering himself an episode in another universe, a deviation in modes and time. Parenthèse is a collection of modern poems with Afro/world sounds, an authentic hip-hop that seeks to fit into the tradition of French rap while absorbing contemporary codes, masterfully orchestrated by exceptional producers, heavyweights of the Parisian underground scene like Tigerz and S.Mos. The album's universe alternates between stylistic figures and observations of the world and his daily life. There is also a personal dimension in some more introspective tracks. Balik opens a unique window in his already rich discography here. He reveals a new facet of his art and personality in this opus. We find the storytelling talent of the singer and lyricist, his way of speaking with simple and accurate words about life, the one that drives us crazy, makes us fall in love, sad, and blissful… He delivers it to us with humility and sincerity, as if to let us understand that this project has been growing within him from the start and that its emergence represents a significant milestone in his life as an artist.