Kaaris

Okou Gnakouri, who is widely recognized by his stage name Kaaris, is a French rapper originally from Ivory Coast. He spent his formative years in Sevran, a suburb located northeast of Paris. Kaaris embarked on his musical journey in 1999, releasing his debut mixtape in 2001. His initial efforts culminated in a contract with French Cut Music following his return to France, which was prompted by political turmoil in Ivory Coast. A significant turning point in Kaaris' career occurred in 2012 when he collaborated with fellow artist Booba on the track "Kalash," which significantly raised his profile. His 2013 album, Or Noir, produced by Therapy, solidified his status in the realm of French rap. He continued to achieve success with subsequent albums, including Le bruit de mon âme (2015) and Dozo (2017), with Okou Gnakouri (2016) attaining double platinum certification. Kaaris is also noted for his legal disputes with Booba, which resulted in a suspended sentence following an altercation at Orly Airport in 2018.