BALIK, the lead singer of the band DANAKIL, needs no introduction for those familiar with the Parisian collective since the 2000s. Over nearly 20 years, the group has become one of the major headliners of French reggae and has held this position steadily, performing hundreds of blazing live shows and producing essential albums and songs, including "DIALOGUE DE SOURDS," which went gold, and "Marley," a platinum single.

For his new solo project, titled "PARENTHÈSE," BALIK returns to the roots of his musical influences, diving deep into the cultural currents that have carried him since his beginnings. Inspired by French rap from adolescence, and driven by the spirit and social function commonly conveyed by both hip-hop and reggae, the artist has always aligned himself with both powerful musical movements.

BALIK offers himself a pause parallel to DANAKIL, the result of years of deep reflection and meticulous preparation. The result is a collection of modern-day poetry with afro/world sounds, an authentic hip-hop that seeks to align with the tradition of French rap while absorbing contemporary codes, masterfully produced by underground Parisian scene experts like TIGERZ and S.MOS.

The album’s universe alternates between stylistic figures and observations of the world and daily life. It also contains a personal dimension in more introspective tracks. In this work, BALIK reveals a new facet of his artistry and personality without losing his storytelling talent, his singing and lyricism, or his ability to speak with simple, precise words about life—the one that makes us crazy, in love, sad, and joyful.

BALIK presents this to us with humility and sincerity, as if to let us understand that this project has been growing within him since the beginning and that its emergence represents a significant milestone in his artistic life.