Watch: Flowsik Makes Explosive Return To His Underground Hip Hop Roots With "Kari" MV

With intricately woven lyrics, Flowsik takes us to his hometown of Queens, New York in the music video for his latest single “Kari” — named for the Korean slang term “kkari” (까리), meaning something or someone that is cool, which is cleverly employed in the song for a catchy hook.

Now under an independent label, Flowsik has more freedom than ever to create the music that he wants, in the way that he wants. Flowsik said to Soompi, “I just want total creative control with my music. Not to just make anything I want at any time, but to create under my own standards, with no one putting walls around me. I have all the creative freedom, which is the most important thing for an artist.”

His latest single “Kari” is just such as piece, with the rapper unhindered in his nod to the beginnings of hip hop. “One of my main agendas is to show the rest of the world where hip hop originated and to show the culture and lifestyle in New York,” said Flowsik, “because I still believe not many people know.”

Watch “Kari,” and don’t miss Flowsik’s verses below:

Stream the song through Spotify, Apple Music, and more.

Bitch call me Naruto, put on whether rain or snow,
Make moves on my iron horse with that pot of gold I’m riding slow,
Queens cross streets work in the car seat sheesh that’s all I know,
Fresh off the grill coreano all 5 Burroughs hot, diablo,
This Ching Chong ain’t taking no threats Kim Jong I’m ill to the death,
Big boss I’m big Boogie see me take charge then put on the set,
Mr. Miyagi roll up that wasabi, tsunami got mercy for nobody,
Man I seen my close friends go to the dead end zone dice game forever lost potential.

Hook:
이 구역 나와바리 (come to my zone) man I keeps it 까리까리 (kkari kkari),
이 구역 나와바리 man I keeps it 까리까리,
The streets are caliente so I’m moving 까리하게, 이 구역 나와바리 man I keeps it 까리까리

이 구역 나와바리 man I’m moving 까리까리,
이 구역 나와바리 man I keeps it 까리까리,
The streets are caliente so I’m moving 까리하게,
이 구역 나와바리 man I’m moving 까리까리

Jam packing that head stash, ahead of time I’m jet lagged,
New York when I’m walking pants sag, come roll with a winner head crack,
Tripling up no setbacks I’m Paris Baguetting that bread back,
Let my numbers do the chit chat G.C. Lefraq I gets that,
My drive be perfect Kyrie Irving down the 495 swerving,
See the Ds tinted vans lurking getting work in,
Popped wheels I ride still from divine will,
Ride or die with that Pac feel straight shots 100 no cocktails.

Hook:
이 구역 나와바리 (come to my zone) man I keeps it 까리까리 (kkari kkari)
이 구역 나와바리 man I keeps it 까리까리
The streets are caliente so I’m moving 까리하게,
이 구역 나와바리 man I keeps it 까리까리

이 구역 나와바리 man I’m moving 까리까리
이 구역 나와바리 man I keeps it 까리까리
The streets are caliente so I’m moving 까리하게,
이 구역 나와바리 man I’m moving 까리까리

Outro:
이 구역 나와바리 (come to my zone) man I’m moving 까리까리 (kkari kkari)
이 구역 나와바리 man I keeps it 까리까리

Also check out Flowsik’s cover of “Eastside” by Benny Blanco featuring Halsey and Khalid, released late last month:

The rapper caught fans off-guard with his singing voice, showcasing a unique, charismatic timbre that has all of us eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.