SZR 2001 is now available. On “N’oublie pas”, Nekfeu pays a superb tribute to Nepal, through a verse full of references.
After several years of waiting, the S-Crew came back with a new album: SZR 2001. Rarely addressed in song since his death at the end of 2019, Nepal was the subject of a superb tribute from Nekfeu. In addition to a few touching lines on the track “Now” – to which Doums reacted – and a reference to the recent posthumous certifications of the artist, the author of Fire dedicated an entire verse to him on “Don’t Forget”. The title is explicit, the verse stuffed with snippets from the work of Nepal.
Read also: Nepal: a fan scatters 444 puzzle pieces to the four corners of France
Nepal, luminous spirit and Immortal
“Since you left, I’ve been worrying / I’ve read all of Hermann Hesse’s books / The impression of understanding your texts better / And your eyes icy like those of immortalsbegins Nekfeu. If author Hermann Hesse spoke to listeners about Nepal, it’s because he already refers to it on “Sundance”. “I drop it step by step like in Hermann Hesse’s book“. The book in question Siddhartha, recounts a man’s spiritual quest to achieve enlightenment. Step by step, the individual evolves and learns to know himself. The cover of this famous book also appears in the clip of the song “Éveil”, by M le Maudit, featuring Nepal.
But Hermann Hesse, in addition to winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, was also a fervent admirer of so-called Eastern philosophies. His writings fit completely into the Buddhist philosophy, which was more than familiar in Nepal. If he has never hidden his interest in religion and spirituality, the most flagrant proof of his closeness to Buddhism are the Dojo of the 75th session or the representation of the Ensō on the cover of the P KKSHISENSE8. The Ensō, or circle of lights, symbolizes the liberation of a being from all inhibition created by the ego, and its enlightenment through creativity. Themes that superbly define the singular work of Nepal, and the aerial universe he has created.
In its final phase, Nekfeu once again addresses a concept put forward by Hermann Hesse in The steppe wolf. The “Immortals” are the artists who have escaped contemporary fashions and are disinterested in any material possession. Artists to whom Fennek compares the author of 444 nights, single-minded and against the grain. Reading all of Hermann Hesse’s books is a way to get closer to his late friend and his creation.
Later, Nekfeu goes on to compare himself to samurai Miyamoto Musashi. This one was a famous Japanese fencer but also a painter, philosopher and bushi master. “We are the human species, the stone and the sword / The perfect light“. These words echo the two volumes of the novel Musashi, written by Eiji Yoshikawa and chronicling the life of this legendary figure. With these phases, Nekfeu approaches Nepal through a common history. A story reflecting the determination and the dream alive in them. Two fiery young men, who only aspire to fight. But like Musashi, by the harsh discipline of the samurai, they take the only path which ultimately aims to reach The Perfect Light. With the difference that the two rappers struggle with their words.
Nekfeu: “In 444 nights all stack, the light illuminates what we have accomplished»
Known masked, Nepal did not give interviews and remained very discreet and away from the media sphere.Like all those who choose to be silent / You had the energy, the powerful auraNekfeu elucidates. Still, the artist played an inherent role in the careers of those close to him. He notably represented the DNA of the 75th session. “You made the logo, we wear it on our hearts» sings the author of Galatea. Here it refers to the logo of the 75th session. But as a tweet from producer Hugz suggests, it’s also the S-Crew logo.
You made the logo, we wear it on the heart 🕊 pic.twitter.com/8JNWARSV9r
—HUGZ (@HUGZHEFNER) June 11, 2022
The success, Nepal will have finally obtained it essentially posthumously. Death will have allowed him to be brought to light, as Nekfeu tells it. “In 444 nights, all stacks, the light illuminates what we have accomplished“. The 444 Nights correspond to the double project of Nepal released in 2016. 444 refers to the spiritual meaning of these numbers indicating introspection and the path to self-knowledge.
mourning in poetry
On ” Omotesandō from Nepal, some listeners had noticed the sample of an excerpt from Berserk. The anime, of which the rapper was a fan, allows Nekfeu to poetize the theme of mourning. In this universe are buried the swords of deceased comrades, each representing the soul of the latter. Here, the relatives of Nepal bury their weapons “in earth and sand». The sand is reminiscent of the beach ofGoodbye Bahamas. A way of recollecting himself, nourishing the idea that a part of him will never really leave. But “like all those we lost, c’est la vie ma le-gueuresigns the author of Cyborg. Here he plays to take over the gimmick intrinsic to Nepal “my le-gueu“. However, some of those close to him will find it more difficult than others to move forward, says Nekfeu – “twe are inconsolable partners”probably referring to Doums, the two rappers being very close in particular the 2Fingz duo.
This mourning, this infinite sadness, will never leave those around Nepal. And “same when the sky is blue, the Ninja Turtles run in the rain“. Here, the Ninja Turtles represent his relatives, and he the character of Splinter, their master and father figure – GrandMaster Splinter being one of the artist’s names at the time of the three eponymous medleys published on YouTube between 2012 and 2014.
But despite this ordeal, Nekfeu maintains the hope of a beautiful afterlife for Nepal. “We hope you will surf / God willing, on one of the four rivers of Paradise“. Like an unrealized dream, the artist wrote in his Instagram bio “after the rap I will go surfing». He may do some on thefour rivers of paradise», representing the universe and the way to heaven. And Nekfeu to finish: “Don’t think we forget you“. We are not ready to forget it.
Also: Nekfeu dedicates JNR in his verse, he reacts
Listen to “Don’t Forget”.