"Enna" the new album by PLK not to be missed

On August 28, 2020, PLK unveiled his 2nd solo album "ENNA". From hope of French rap to new face of French rap, his new album was officially certified gold in just 14 days. Our favorite "Polak" achieved a feat with his second album. It features 18 tracks of "pure and hard rap" as Guillaume Narduzzi (journalist for Konbini) would say.

Before talking about the album, let's talk about the promotion, which can be said to be unconventional given what we know. He managed to innovate and attract attention to this album. In early August, following several enigmatic tweets, PLK announced to the first 5000 people who preordered his last mixtape (Mental) that a temporary website was reserved for them for 24 hours. Using their 500 enna tickets, they could access the site which contained an exclusive preview of PLK's new project.

Moreover, one day before the release of his album "Enna", the beginning of his tracks already available were modified on streaming platforms. Listeners could hear this: "Yeah family, it's PLK. I'll let you listen to your track quietly, just to tell you that my album 'Enna' is coming out. I count on you to go listen to it." An effective and well-crafted promotion for a sought-after and successful album.

One year of recording, 150 tracks recorded in the studio, for a result that meets expectations and truly represents the artist's work. In this album, PLK opens up much more about his personal life. He talks about his childhood, his family, his evolution in life, with a touch of old-school rap. You can clearly feel the inspiration from his childhood idols. A personal project down to the album's name "Enna," which is a contraction of his little sister Léna and little brother Enzo's names "Enna." It is also the name of his label, which he tattooed on the knuckles of his left hand.

Family holds a very important place in PLK's life. He made us feel it well in his album. For those who don't know, on the album cover, he is accompanied by his little brother and sister. We can see Léna whispering in his ear, and despite her young age, she already often advises her big brother in everyday life. These beautiful shots were taken by the talented Mister Fifou, known for his numerous covers (like those of Roff, Kaaris, Despo, Youssoupha, Booba, Sexion d’assaut, and also PLK's first album "Polak"). He also worked for Project X Paris on shoots with Bosh, Orelsan, Gunna, and many others.

The tracks on this album are all diverse and nuanced, like "Chandon&Moët," which is very festive, or "Pourtant," which is much calmer and more serious. PLK offers us a straight, technical, and impactful album. We can easily enter the rapper's universe. "Enna" is about an hour of listening that feels good to the ears, flowing smoothly. In this album, every track is essential; once again, we discern the artist's perfectionist work to create a complete and finished album.

The album features exceptional collaborations: Niska, Hamza, Heuss, and Rimk. PLK rolled out the red carpet for the artists who worked with him. We clearly feel the musical imprint of each artist mixed with PLK's universe.

Among these collaborations is the track "On sait jamais" with Niska. An intense and explosive track, recorded remotely with Niska in Morocco and PLK in France from his studio. Shot at the Théâtre de Châtelet, the clip was available on YouTube the day "Enna" was released. A heist, the raid, a high-energy clip directed by Original Kid that fully lives up to the featuring. The clip was viewed half a million times in 24 hours.

Credit Mister Fifou

The second feature is alongside Heuss L’ENFOIRE, who gives "Enna" the saxophone touch with the track "Chandon&Moët." Heuss L’ENFOIRÉ left a festive mark on the album, reflecting the recording session. According to PKL, the "made in 92" recording session with Walid Sax and Heuss L’Enfoiré was well celebrated. As a fun fact, the instrumental of the track is not the original. This did not prevent a successful result that will likely make many dance.

The next feature on the album is worthy of the greatest; PLK invites Rim’k, a member of the famous group 113. Both old and new generations know the uncle of French rap. He paid tribute to 2000s rap by taking a famous verse from the track "Pour ceux" by Mafia K’1 Fry: "it's for the Jean Valjeans, the big crazies, the rags driving old-school Clios." It is a beautiful tribute to the Mafia K-1 Fry collective and those who grew up with their music.

Finally, for the penultimate track of the album, we find Hamza on the track "Pilote." This track fits perfectly into the "Enna" universe. Initially, PLK was supposed to perform alone on this track, but he didn’t like his second verse. So he decided to call on the talented Hamza. "Pilote" is a particularly worked track; the two artists found each other incredibly well on this track.

We can say it is a more than successful album, pleasant to listen to, with well-crafted and deep lyrics. PLK showed those who doubted him that his talent is real and that he is now one of the essential faces of Francophone rap. Awaiting to see him live on his tour, he will (if all goes well) be on stage on December 4, 2020, at the Zenith in Paris.