Karpe Diem

Karpe Diem are a politically-charged Norwegian rap duo drawing on their Egyptian and Indian heritage to bring challenging topics to mainstream Nordic audiences. Magdi Omar Ytreeide Abdelmaguid and Chirag Rashmikant Patel first joined forces in 2000 in Oslo, but it was 2004 before the public really heard from them. Their debut EP, Glasskår, was released on Tuba Records and its six tracks made an appearance in the Top 10 of the Norwegian Singles Chart, laying the groundwork for a record contract with Bonnier Music. Karpe's debut full-length album came two years later in 2006. Titled Rett Fra Hjertet, the album made it to Number 10 on the Norwegian Albums Chart and included the hit single "Piano." The follow-up, Fire Vegger, was another hit in 2008. It carried four more hit singles: "Under Overflaten," "Fireogtyvegods," "Stjerner," and "Vestkantsvartinga." It peaked at Number 3 on the albums chart. Recognition at various awards ceremonies followed, with an MTV award for Best Norwegian Act coming in 2010 (they gave away their cash prize to the Red Cross), and two Norwegian Grammys for their quadruple platinum-selling third album, Aldri Solgt en Logn (2010). A further career highlight came when the pair performed at the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize concert and they received more recognition with another Norwegian Grammy, this time for the chart-topping album Kors På Halsen, Ti Kniver I Hjertet, Mor og Far I Doden. From 2015 through 2017, Karpe embarked on their Heisann Montebello project, releasing a stream of nine hit singles, and in 2019 they returned once again with the EP SAS Plus/SAS Pussy and the Top 5 single "Skittles." In 2022, their third EP Omar Sheriff achieved pole position in Norway thanks to the success of the single "PAF.no," a summery urban pop gem that snatched the top spot on the domestic singles chart.

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