They formed in 2000 in Oslo, Norway and released their first EP in 2004, Glasskår. They later released their first full-lenght album titled Rett fra hjertet in 2006.
Karpe Diem was established when the two wanted to enter a music competition, which they ended up winning with the song "Hvor er Willy?" and have been rapping together ever since.
They have performed live at more than 200 shows and the number is just growing. Karpe Diem is notorious for their sarcastic and politically engaged lyrics, and for their down-to-earth and nobel personalities.
On March 5th, 2011, they received the greatest Norwegian musical prize there is, "Årets Spellemann".
This was the first time in history that a hip-hop/rap group received this award.
Discography:
2006 - "Rett fra hjertet"
2008 - "4 vegger"
2010 - "Aldri solgt en løgn"
2012 - "Kors på halsen, ti kniver i hjertet, mor og far i døden"
2015 - "Heisann Montebello"
Den islamske elefanten
Karpe Diem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jeg er en mistanke, jeg er en maskot, jeg er politikk
Stikk og heng med border kollien din og la meg borde kollien min i fred
Jeg er et diskotek og de danser inni hodet mitt
For je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
Je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
Je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
Yeah
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Jeg er'ke Israel, jeg er´ke Charlie, jeg er´ke kukken min
Jeg er den islamske elefanten oppi klubben din
Hun sa hun spøy av omskjæringa samme lørdagen som kjerringa tok en kjønnsleppereduksjon
Jeg er en giftslange og på kjakan har jeg superlim
For je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
Je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
Je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
Je suis muslimjævel
Yeah
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Dagen jeg får kjeven løs
Da er jeg den du dreper først
Dagen jeg får kjeven løs
Da er jeg den du dreper først
Dagen jeg får kjeven løs
Da er jeg den du dreper først
De spiser sånne som oss som mellomtid
YT, YT, YT, YT, God Morgen
Yeah
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
The lyrics to Karpe Diem's song Den islamske elefanten speak to the experience of being a Muslim immigrant in Western society. The singer identifies themselves as "den islamske elefanten" (the Islamic elephant) inside your room, and immediately takes on several different identities. They are a suspicion, a mascot, and politics all at once. The singer goes on to say that they are being asked to leave and hang out with someone else's dog, while they want to be allowed to do their thing in peace. They feel like a disco, with a party happening inside their mind, but one that they are not always welcome at.
The chorus repeats the phrase "je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit," which translates to "I am a Muslim bastard, immigrant shit" in English. This highlights the racism and Islamophobia that Muslim immigrants face in Western society, reduced to mere stereotypes by those who do not understand them. The singer also says that nobody is allowed to light their rocket (fireworks) on New Year's Eve, which could symbolize the lack of acceptance and the way that society tries to suppress the experiences of Muslims.
The second verse continues to speak to the intersectionality of being a Muslim immigrant. The singer says that they are not Israel or Charlie, which could be references to the conflict in Palestine and the Charlie Hebdo shooting, respectively. They are instead the Islamic elephant at the club. The singer then mentions a woman who is against female genital mutilation but has just had a labiaplasty, showing the complexities of women's experiences in different cultures. The line about the superglue on their chin could represent the way society tries to silence and erase the experiences of Muslim immigrants.
Overall, the song Den islamske elefanten is a powerful commentary on the experiences of Muslim immigrants in Western society. It highlights the ways that they are reduced to stereotypes and faced with racism and Islamophobia, as well as the complexities of their experiences and identities.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeg er den islamske elefanten inni rommet ditt
I am the big issue that everyone is aware of and trying to ignore.
Jeg er en mistanke, jeg er en maskot, jeg er politikk
I represent the suspicion towards Islam, the mascot of inequality in society, and a political issue.
Stikk og heng med border kollien din og la meg borde kollien min i fred
Go hang out with your pets, and let me be in peace with mine.
Jeg er et diskotek og de danser inni hodet mitt
My mind is an endless party, but the dance is only in my head.
For je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
Because society labels me as a Muslim and an immigrant scum.
Je suis muslimjævel, innvandrerdrit
I am the Muslim and the immigrant scum.
Yeah
Saying 'Yes' to life and all its challenges.
Ingen her får tenne på raketten min, godt nyttår
No one is allowed to mess with my celebration and traditions, happy new year.
Jeg er'ke Israel, jeg er´ke Charlie, jeg er´ke kukken min
I am not Israel, I am not Charlie, and I am not defined by my sexuality.
Jeg er den islamske elefanten oppi klubben din
I am the elephant in your social circle that you try to ignore, but I am always there.
Hun sa hun spøy av omskjæringa samme lørdagen som kjerringa tok en kjønnsleppereduksjon
She claimed that she was disgusted by female circumcision while simultaneously getting a labiaplasty done.
Jeg er en giftslange og på kjakan har jeg superlim
I am a venomous snake, and my words stick to everyone like superglue.
Dagen jeg får kjeven løs
The day that I speak my mind freely and candidly.
Da er jeg den du dreper først
That is the day that society will try to silence me.
De spiser sånne som oss som mellomtid
They treat us like snacks while waiting for something else to come along.
YT, YT, YT, YT, God Morgen
Yield to traffic, have a good morning.
Contributed by Aaliyah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.