Rim'k joins Le Cercle PXP
RIM'K, THE UNCLE OF THE GAME
Music is constantly evolving, and it's easy to get overwhelmed by new flows or sound treatments and settle for old formulas we already master. Very few artists have managed to stay relevant and innovative for over 20 years. But Rim'K is one of them! In France, only Booba and Rohff can boast of staying at the top for so long, but the Uncle is much less divisive than his two peers, and almost everyone loves him, across all generations. Why? Probably thanks to his friendliness and humility every time we see him in interviews. He has contributed to some of the greatest chapters in French Rap history, yet he keeps the same rookie energy with every new release, and that’s powerful. The story begins in the early 90s, at Camille Groult, when Rim'K decided with two childhood friends (AP and Mokobe) to create 113, which immediately positioned itself under the banner of the greatest collective in French rap history: Mafia K'1 Fry.
Together, they inscribed the two digits of their department, 94, into the rap game’s hall of fame. 113 released their first EP, "Ni barreaux, ni barrières, ni frontières," which opened the doors to the game and allowed them to follow up directly with one of the greatest French Rap classics: the album "Les Princes de la ville," in 1999. Quickly, it was a triumph, notably thanks to DJ Mehdi’s hard work but also the talent and complementarity of the three childhood friends. They proudly displayed their suburban roots, their ability to succeed on their own, and sent an incredible positive message to the youth in the neighborhoods. Above all, they won a Victoire de la Musique the following year, a very rare achievement for a "hardcore" rap group. This also gave them the chance to deliver an unforgettable moment etched in everyone’s memory: the stage performance with the famous Peugeot 504 station wagon, to further assert their identity. A multiple identity, one foot in the neighborhood, the other in France, and their heads in the stars with the desire to achieve great things and break everything down.
Joint albums with 113, (notably "Dans l'urgence"), and projects with Mafia K'1 Fry multiplied, success grew, but Rim'K also had solo career ambitions. He launched it in 2004 with his album "L'Enfant du Pays." Nicknamed "Tonton" thanks to the track "Tonton du bled," the rapper took us back and forth between his neighborhood and his native Kabylie, culminating in the album "Maghreb United," which had wide airplay on Skyrock at the time of its release. But it was from 2016 that he took on a new dimension, while the 113 and Mafia K'1 Fry adventures seemed musically stalled, and Rim'K decided to move into Trap with his "Monster Tape" in 2016. A project with very current sounds, launching him into a new phase of his career. The phase where he is a Boss, respected by the entire new generation who do not hesitate to collaborate with him, on "Fantôme," then "Mutant," then "Midnight," and finally "ADN," five projects in five years. Along the way, huge hits like "Air Max" with Ninho, the clearest example of Rim'K’s adaptation to the new generation’s rap. Comfortable, on theme, never outdated, and always meticulous: that’s why people love Rim'K.
RIM'K x PXP: 100% OG
The idea crossed our minds to have the rapper try the most extravagant outfits from our catalog. But our stylists opted for the second solution, digging to find the classiest PXP clothes to honor the OG that is Rim'K (original gangster, the nickname given to rap pioneers). We start with the first outfit, in a setting that recalls a somewhat underground spot, found in many neighborhoods, but in a luxury version, with beautiful rugs on the floor, an imposing leather sofa, some TVs, and speakers. The Tonton sits in the middle of it all, dressed in his black and white outfit. A black multipocket workwear jacket on top, worn open over a plain white tee-shirt. And black workwear cargo pants on the bottom, with a pair of white Nike Air Force 1s, and the look is complete. An outfit both sober and very stylish, to which we added a black Project X Paris Monogram crossbody bag, for that little "street adventurer" touch.
Finally, to close the shoot and the collaboration in style, we offered Rim'K a little treat for the third outfit. The vibe is still very underground, very "hangar," except this time, we brought... a Rolls Royce, the ultimate OG car in US rap. The Tonton poses with disarming ease, next to and inside the car, wearing a simple outfit that closely resembles the first look of the shoot. We find the multipocket workwear jacket on top, but in beige this time, worn over a white t-shirt with the Project X Paris logo written in black. For the bottom, we also have the multipocket workwear pants, also in beige for a very successful overall effect. We thank Rim'K for his patience and professionalism; you can feel real mastery in front of the camera and genuine involvement. We wish him great numbers with his "Hors-Série" released in June, a project where he gathered all his freestyles, and also for what's next!