Tonight, Karpe is giving a concert in Milan. The Italian metropolis will be the first of around twenty European cities to be visited by the rap group next month. In this way, they will test the international interest.

Chirag Rashmikant Patel and Magdi Omar Ytreeide Abdelmaguid in Karpe have reached the maximum of what is possible for a music group in Norway.

They’ve broken Spellemann records, completed Spektrum 14 times, made two films about themselves, multiple books, and earned accolades for more than just music – but also for their work of inclusion and representation.

If Norway had been a video game, Karpe has in many ways made it to the final board. Now they are opening a new game: The World.

Interest of the tests

NRK meets Karpe in Milan before the first concert abroad.

– We have long felt that there is international potential in our project. When we get confirmation that it’s true, we have to try, says Rashmikant Patel.

More than half of the concerts on the tour are sold out, NRK learns from their management.

– Ticket sales are going well, says Trine Jacobsen in Little Big Sister.

Many Norwegians travel from Norway to see carp, but there is also great interest in the local places they go to, says NRK.

Karpe will mainly play in medium-sized arenas that can accommodate around 1,000 people.

– If this tour goes well, we will invest more internationally. It’s the start of something. We would also like to think about doing more, for example in Pakistan, India or Egypt, says Rashmikant Patel.

New music, but not in English

In their latest project, “Omar Sheriff”, the rap duo mix music and language from other cultures more than before. Among others from the countries of origin of their parents, India and Egypt.

– We will continue like this, and will not consider starting to write in English. We like the mix of Norwegian and other cultures, explains Ytreeide Abdelmaguid.

Specifically, what they will do next with the international adventure, if the European tour is a success, Karpe won’t say. But they have plans and ideas, they say.

First, they go back to the studio to make more music. Music will be recorded during the tour.

– Yes, we are going to the studio in Paris, among others, they say.

In the summer, they will also play at festivals abroad, notably in Belgium.

– Never been better

– We notice that with this “Omar Sheriff” project, of which we are still only at the beginning, the references are without national borders. It’s exciting to explore, says Ytreeide Abdelmaguid.

– We have never been better than we are now and are confident in our project. It’s a wonderful feeling, adds Rashmikant Patel.

Wednesday’s concert in Milan is sold out.