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K2Rhym

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K2Rhym
K2Rhym on the cover of Tunivisions, in March 2015.
Born
Karim Gharbi

(1980-10-13) October 13, 1980 (age 45)[1]
Tunis, Tunisia
Occupations
Years active2005–2024

Karim Gharbi (Arabic: كريم الغربي; born 13 October 1980), known professionally as K2Rhym, is a Tunisian rapper, entrepreneur, and former political candidate. He became active in the early 2000s with Arabic and French-language hip-hop recordings and has collaborated with artists including Snoop Dogg and DJ Khaled. He later founded K2 Meta, a consulting firm focused on technology, and was involved in charitable initiatives in Tunisia.[2]

In 2024, he was sentenced in absentia to four years in prison and was permanently disqualified from holding political office following an unsuccessful presidential bid.[3]

Early life and music career

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Gharbi was born on October 13, 1980 in Tunis, Tunisia,[1] and grew up in the Ksar Saïd district. He moved to France at age fifteen, where he began his music career under the name K2Rhym (also stylized as K2).[4]

He signed with EMI France and later Virgin Records Middle East.[5] In 2012, he was nominated for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Middle East Act.[6] He also hosted the television program Urban Fen on Hannibal TV in Tunisia.[5]

Gharbi's music career includes collaborations with various artists, particularly from the American hip-hop scene, such as Snoop Dogg, DJ Khaled, and Fat Joe.[7] In 2019, under the name K2, he released the single One Love, featuring contributions from Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Brazilian singer Kevinho, and former footballer Ronaldinho Gaúcho.[8][9]

As of 2024, Gharbi has amassed a following on social media, with approximately 2.4 million subscribers on Facebook, 1.5 million on Instagram, and 100,000 on YouTube.[5]

Business and philanthropy

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Gharbi later moved to the United Arab Emirates and established a company called K2 Meta, which focused on consulting and investments in technologies such as blockchain and Web3.[7][4]

Starting in 2020, he initiated charitable projects in Tunisia.[10] These included donations of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, support for orphaned children via La Voix de l'Enfant, and school renovations in underserved regions such as Kasserine.[11][12]

Political involvement

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Around 2020, Gharbi began speaking in media outlets on issues related to public services and the economy in Tunisia.[5] A 2023 poll by Sigma Conseil ranked him third among potential candidates for the 2024 presidential election.[2]

He announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election in July 2024.[5] Shortly before the registration deadline, he reported that the Ministry of Justice had refused to provide the required criminal record certificate (Bulletin n°3), thus preventing his formal registration.[13][12]

On 15 August 2024, a court in Jendouba convicted him in absentia of purchasing sponsorship signatures and sentenced him to four years in prison, along with a fine and a lifetime ban from public office.[14][15] Human Rights Watch included his case in its reporting on electoral practices in Tunisia.[16]

Personal life

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In January 2019, Gharbi married Nesrine Ben Ali, daughter of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.[17] The ceremony took place in Saudi Arabia and was attended by the former president. The couple divorced in October 2019.[18]

He is currently based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he manages his company.[7]

Discography

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Studio albums

  • Chroniques (2007)[19]

Selected singles and collaborations

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  • Immortal (feat. Snoop Dogg)[20]
  • La Fiesta (feat. Reda Taliani)[21]
  • Oriental Wedding (feat. Akil & Big Ali)[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Karim Gharbi". karim-gharbi.com. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  2. ^ a b Zayat, Iman (2023-02-07). "Controversy in Tunisia as rappers seek to branch out into politics". The Arab Weekly. Archived from the original on 2023-02-09.
  3. ^ Kotan, Bilge (2024-08-15). "Tunisian rapper K2Rhym jailed in absentia and banned from standing for presidency for life". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  4. ^ a b Sharma, Anjali (2024-12-03). "The Inspiring Journey of Karim Gharbi: From Humble Beginnings to Luxury Concierge Mogul". UAE Stories. Archived from the original on 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  5. ^ a b c d e Dahmani, Frida (2020-12-16). "Tunisie : le rappeur K2 Rhym, ancien gendre de Ben Ali et futur homme politique ? - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  6. ^ Long, Natalie (2018-09-15). "EXCLUSIVE: Rihanna vs Taylor Swift at MTV EMAs". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  7. ^ a b c "Karim Gharbi | Gulf Business". The Arab Weekly. 2025-04-07. Archived from the original on 2025-04-08. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  8. ^ "Watch: Former Brazil football superstar Ronaldinho raps against corruption". Scroll.in. 2019-05-04. Archived from the original on 2019-05-04. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  9. ^ "One Love (feat. Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Kevinho & Ronaldinho Gaúcho)". Apple Music.
  10. ^ "Tunisie : le rappeur K2Rhym veut faire entendre sa voix à la présidentielle - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  11. ^ "K2Rhym, le rappeur qui promet le vaccin aux Tunisiens". Courrier international (in French). 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  12. ^ a b "K2rhym condamné à quatre ans de prison..." Mosaique FM (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  13. ^ "Un rappeur tunisien condamné pour triche sur sa candidature présidentielle". www.20minutes.fr (in French). 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  14. ^ "Tunisie : le postulant à la présidentielle Karim Gharbi condamné à quatre ans de prison - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  15. ^ "K2Rhym condamné à 4 ans de prison et interdit de se présenter aux élections à vie". Kapitalis (in French). 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  16. ^ "Tunisie : Des candidats potentiels à la présidence empêchés de se présenter | Human Rights Watch". Human Rights Watch (in French). 2024-08-20. Archived from the original on 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  17. ^ Bahri, Imed (2018-12-23). "K2Rhym et Nesrine Ben Ali : Le rappeur endurci et la fille du président déchu". Kapitalis (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  18. ^ "K2RYM et Nesrine Ben Ali divorcent". Mosaique FM (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  19. ^ CHRONIQUES 2007, 2007-01-01, retrieved 2024-10-07
  20. ^ "Immortal (feat. Snoop Dogg)". Spotify. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  21. ^ "La Fiesta (feat. Reda Taliani) - K2Rhym: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts". Shazam. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  22. ^ "Oriental Wedding (feat. K2Rhym, Akil & Big Ali) - Faroukkhan: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts". Shazam. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
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