BK’ reaffirms greatness in national rap and ends the Icarus era [ENTREVISTA]

Responsible for hits like “Love songs never again,” “Plans” It is “Loves, Addictions and Obsessions,” BK’artistic name of the carioca Abebe Bikila Costa Santosbegan preparations to end the era of Icarus (2022), fourth studio album and this phase showed us how he is one of the greats of Brazilian rap.

The career of BK’ it has always come in a crescendo, with a lot of maturity with each album added to the discography. In addition to Icarushe launched Castles & Ruins (2016), Giants (2018) and The Leader on the Move (2020), each with its own sound style and deep, reflective lyrics, which also take the opportunity to show a more laid-back side of the singer on some occasions.

For almost a year now, he has been performing shows from the Icarusreleased on November 17, 2022, which has 13 tracks in total, such as “Love songs never again,” “Just call me,” “Continuation of a dream” It is “Photo armed.” During an interview with Rolling Stone Brazil, BK’ He talked about his experience during this period, as well as the situation of national rap and new names.

It is worth remembering how, in May 2021, BK’ founded his own label, called Giants, which also features other artists. The singer recalled how, with the end of the covid-19 pandemic, he and the team were looking for something that represented the return of the music industry as a whole, with something really great for his career and fans.

“Icarus arrived right at this place. Right from the first, it hit the crowd very well. It was something that made me very happy,” he said. “Compared to other albums, they always took time for people to associate and digest. Icarus it was very quick. So that’s it: I’m really happy with everything we did with this album.”

On April 6, 2024, BK’ will perform the long-awaited closing show of the most recent studio album, at Apotheosis Square, Rio de Janeiro, for approximately 15 thousand people. The pre-sale started last Tuesday, the 5th, and was a great success. The general sale takes place this Wednesday, 6th.

The artist explained how this will be the biggest performance of his career, with a more elaborate, constructed and beautiful performance. The rapper wants to “surprise,” whether in the structure, setlist with new songs or special appearances. And what fans can also expect from the end of Icarus at Apotheosis? Lots of new music and expansion in arches, ballet and choir.

“I want to do a slightly longer show, lasting at least 2 hours. We always want to score, let’s be honest. We are here because we want to mark this generation and passage through music and art,” he stated. “The show, in addition to the albums, is a way for you to mark memories, moments and the scene, in some way.”

We have this ambition and desire with this show, to really do something incredible and deliver… to really be a special stop that will remain in everyone’s memory. [..] It was the album that, to date, represented the best moment of my career. We like to say thank you, and this is our way of saying thank you: delivering a show to the fans.

Artificial Intelligence, partnerships and indications

In addition to the songs, Icarus also attracted attention on stage. When BK’ sings “Continuation of a dream,” the screen behind him shows an image of him as a child singing the verses, created with the help of Artificial intelligence (AI). Especially in the last year, several discussions have arisen about the use of this technology, especially in the creative sphere.

A Rolling Stone Brazilthe rapper explained how he and the team are concerned about using AI to “add and raise” the level of art. He even collaborated with a specialized company to create this part of the show.

“They are people who, with our team, will be able to think of things that are not cheesy or forced, and will really be able to add and raise the level of that,” he said. “The result was incredible. My mom was super excited when she saw it. I think from now on what we’re going to use is this.”

Since Castles & Ruinsthe work of BK’ were marked by collaborations between a wide range of artists, from rap to pop. According to the artist, this partnership thing (also known as feat in the world of music) comes from hip hop culture.

For the singer, partnerships need to arise from the starting point of taking the music to another level, and not just having a name to decorate the title. In other words, it needs to make sense with the art. As an example, he cited “Photo armed,” which has more debauched lyrics, and an ideal name to add was Major RD, which has a similar style, in addition to also “putting the finger on the wound.”

There are several artists who inspire BK’ at the moment. There are foreign names known worldwide, such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Tyler, the Creator, A$AP ROCKY It is Kendrick Lamar. In this list, there are also Brazilians in evidence: FYE!, Sain It is Victor Shaman.

Behold, BK’ is mentioned in a diss

Since before the moment he became an established name in rap, BK’ tends to form several partnerships and invest in new names, such as FYE!. In 2021, he appeared on Visão Periférica, debut studio album by Ebonyone of the main rappers today, on the track “Dressing room.”

On November 15, 2023, she released a diss (term in English that designates a criticism of a rapper or groups of rappers, and the tone can be serious or humorous), titled “Hope They Understand.” BK’ is one of the first names mentioned by Ebonylike this Djonga, Filipe Ret, L7nnonbetween others.

I love the B.K., because he is like a father to me. I feed him, change his diaper, he’s already old. He was my mentor, my godfather and invested in me. Went to the walker studio to record ‘Dressing room,'” he said Ebony in the lane.

In conversation with Rolling Stone Brazil, BK’ revealed how he took the song in stride, and understood the singer’s message. “So, she sent the message the day before and said: ‘I’m going to quote you in the song here.’ I said: ‘Ah, that’s it. It’s part of the game. Quote and send it,’” she recalled. “Then one day I heard the diss and I said: ‘Damn, you took me away as a cool grandpa [risos].’”

“There were some people there that she threw some heavier punches at. People say: ‘Ah, Ebony there’s nothing to talk about B.K..’ In reality, she does,” continued the singer. “She lived with me for many years, she lived in our house, she even knows our mistakes. She even took it easy. We’re together, Ebony!”

How does BK’ see rap nowadays?

A lot has changed in the rap scene since BK’ released his first studio album in 2016. According to the singer, the genre has always been a movement to put his finger on the wound and something “really revolutionary” — and that was how he had his first contact with the style.

“The current moment in rap is really cool, there are a lot of people making a lot of money… that’s incredible, right? But I’m from the time when I needed to study rap more, another attitude,” she said. “At times I understand that this is a different time, another audience, another moment, another ride… but I miss a little that people understand the fundamentals of what culture really does for people.”

“Of course, you have music to entertain, but you need to think about what the world and people around you are like. At least I learned rap and got to know hip hop culture that way,” he added. “You can talk about everything. I love talking about money.”

But I think that’s it: we need to think about what we will leave for people, how we will influence people. That’s the responsibility! Rap is commitment. You can play, you can do anything, but I think you have to remember that rap is still a commitment.

A different sound style

With a large number of artists, which is growing more and more, there are many similar sounds and formulas to follow. However, BK’ he continues with a different work, in which each studio album sounds completely different, as if each one were in a separate universe, and the rapper takes the opportunity to be himself in the music.

“When I deliver a record, I can show people another side of me. We will exchange an idea like this and you will not access the B.K. albums, you will not access the B.K. that wrote ‘Ways‘ exchanging an idea here, but you will be able to access it by listening to the album, listening Castles & Ruins,” he exemplified.

“The point of art is for you to really surrender, to be true to it. Each album of mine shows a little of my moment, a little of who I am, a little of what I feel,” he continued. “I take advantage of this to be able to show people what’s going on in my head, what’s going on in my heart, what my anxieties are.”

Rap has always shown me the freedom of doing this, from several guys, several girls, several songs. Rap gives you the freedom to create in different ways. Every artist wants to mark an era, wants to mark a generation, wants to mark lives, wants to inspire people… the way we can do this is by being as true to art as possible. That’s what I think about my work – and it has worked, thank God.

The literal continuation of a dream

The future of BK’ promises a lot! In addition to the closing show of Icarus In Rio de Janeiro, the singer is already preparing the next stages of his career, with a mixtape with the guys from the Gigantes label. Of course, he has already confirmed his thoughts on the fifth studio album of his career.

I want to explore other things because I think, in a way, this B.K. that people know Icarus I delivered. I want to think of another B.K., explore other lines of thought, other flows, other stops. From now on I want to start a new cycle and the next album will come with that.