Karpe: A musical fusion of cultures | The InnerView

Oslo-based Norwegian rap band Karpe has garnered increased worldwide recognition following the release of their album Omar Sheriff. With lyrics seamlessly flowing between Gujarati, Arabic, Norwegian, Hindi and English, Karpe has created a truly global sound that resonates with fans around the world. Chirag Patel and Magdi Abdelmaguid, the duo behind Karpe, tell The InnerView that they have always had a strong connection to their cultural roots, and that their music exemplifies the power of diversity. Chirag and Magdi speak to Imran Garda about the experiences they had growing up as immigrant children in Norway, and how their heritage has influenced their music.

00:00 Intro
01:55 Being a celebrity in Norway
02:40 The Omar Sheriff album
05:30 Why Norway is a great country to develop your art
08:38 Performance at Oslo Spektrum Arena
10:40 Karpe’s creative process
12:20 What is “Diaspora pop”?
16:13 Scandinavian immigrant identity
19:45 ‘Norway’s Gujarati Rockstar’ documentary
20:24 Challenges in navigating dual identities
22:23 Does Karpe have political message?
23:49 On fans and anti-fans

LICENSES: The Orchard, Apen&Kjeften

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[thomasaa]

Norwegian long-time Karpe fan here. I want to commend the interviewer here. Seems like you really did your homework. Good job!

[rohanserrao]

Discovered Karpe because of Quickstyle and am just loving the Omar Sherriff album with amalgamation of multicultural songs by Karpe and dance by Quickstyle. Love from Goa, India!

[MartinDef_]

Når jeg dør, har jeg gitt dem en good run for penga 🌹🦈

[amitshah]

Seriously fallen hardcore in love with their music! I love the English translation and makes me feel connected as well with the Gujarati and Hindi mixed in! ❤❤❤ makes me seen as an American born Gujarati and chirag and magdi helps those feelings connected ❤❤❤❤

[hues_artventure]

I got interested in karpe from coke studio 15... Woah, they're awesome❤

[evermichael]

This interview is amazing! Thank you for doing this and further spreading the legacy of the greatest Norwegian artists in history!

[simib]

Discovered them because of Quickstyle but was totally blown away by their music. So unique and not heard before evoking emotions in you that you had buried deep down especially we who do not live in the countries of our origin. it hits a nerve. ...And both Chirag and Magdi are so cool.

[yajnaori]

Wanted to also say what a fantastic interview! Brilliantly spoken, great insight and a touch of light heartedness to the interviewer👌💞 from South Africa aswell🇿🇦

[titochico]

A completely unique sound and fusion av art that is never before heard. And the artistry of combining the dancers choreography, scenery/imagery is out.of this world and the instruments of different cultures that touch your soul. This music is divine. 🙌❤️❤️❤️👑

[barbiechaal]

Thank you so much for this interview in English.
Love from Newcastle, Uk❤🙏🏻

[lubnahassan]

Saw them on coke studio Pakistan! And got interested! My grandson is mixed Pakistani and American living in Pakistan.. this interview has given me food for thought

[avijohn]

Phenomenal music and they did a great job explaining the reasons for why they produced music of this kind, it makes sense why it resonates with so many in Norway and beyond. Big fan from new york city! Hope to see you guys perform here in NY one day!

[alexandrastojkovic]

This was the best interview I have ever seen!

The host was so humble, interested, so carefully touching different aspects of their wonderful art, so respectful and and able to make them to reflect on their work etc.
I wish ALL hosts/interviewers were like him.
Such a fantastic example of journalism ❤

Karpe were also brilliant. But this way of treating your program guests is so rare and just WOW!

Thanks a lot from Norway!

[_que]

These Group of artists bringing human together from all over the 🌎 . Thank you

[SheenShow]

What a great interview! All the questions were👌

[faisalwahid]

Coming from Coke Studio Pakistan season 15

[Hippieheyhey]

Chirag and Karpe sitting in a booth in Oslo stadsbibliotek and doing an interview with TRT like 😁 Gotta love them. I grew up in neighbouring Sweden at the same time as these two geniuses and their music really touches upon my identity growing up as Scandi muslim

[sighz]

Yes in coke studio Pakistan they done very well👏🏻👏🏻

[Fariasworld]

I gotta interested after coke studio Pakistan ❤

[MouseGuardian]

"Relatively new" is a relative term😂 Karpe though <3