K2rhym Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Songs, Political Career, Controversies
Karim Gharbi, better known by his stage name K2rhym, is a Tunisian rapper, record producer, television presenter and political aspirant. His career has spanned music, media and an attempted entry into politics. Known for his energetic rap style, multilingual lyrics, and later his philanthropic and political ambitions, K2rhym has become a notable figure in North African hip-hop and public life.
Early Life and Background
K2rhym was born on 14 October 1980 in Tunis, Tunisia. He spent his early years in the Tunisian capital and moved to Saint-Denis (France) at the age of about fifteen, exposing him to the vibrant French rap scene and multicultural influences. Growing up between Tunisia and France helped shape his musical sensibility and allowed him to blend Arab, French and global hip-hop styles.
His parents (Mr. and Mrs. Gharbi) raised him in a modest setting; he has at least one sister. While formal details of his schooling are not widely published, his fluency in French and Arabic and his early immersion in rap suggest a strong informal and cultural education in music and media.
Music Career and Songs
K2rhym’s music career officially launched in the early 2000s. He signed with major labels including Universal Music France, EMI France and Virgin Records Middle East during his rise. His first major album appeared around 2005. His rap style draws from old-school hip-hop, French rap influences and Tunisian/Arab cultural lyrics.
Some of his noted songs include:
- Immortal (feat. Snoop Dogg) – a collaboration that brought international attention.
- Escobar 2 – a hard-hitting rap track reflecting street and global themes.
- Gangsta Style – an upbeat, aggressive rap piece recognized in North African rap circles.
- Additional singles and music videos spanning French, Arabic and international markets.
His media presence also includes having been a television presenter of the show Urban Fen on Hannibal TV, which increased his visibility beyond music and into broader entertainment.
Political Career
Around 2019, K2rhym began a shift in public image from rap-artist to political aspirant and philanthropist. He adopted a more formal style—suits instead of streetwear—and engaged in charity work such as school renovations, hospital equipment donations and youth support initiatives. He launched proposals and declared his intention to run for presidential office in Tunisia for the 2024 election.
His political ambition, while notable, has so far not resulted in elected office. The move from entertainment to politics reflects a growing trend among artists leveraging their fame for civic engagement, though the transition remains challenging.
Controversies and Legal Issues
K2rhym’s public career has not been free of controversies:
- In early 2021 he claimed to have secured a vaccine-deal for Tunisia with China during the COVID-19 pandemic; the claim was later denied by the Chinese embassy, which impacted his credibility.
- In 2024, when attempting to run for the Tunisian presidency, he was convicted on charges of buying sponsorships (a form of electoral malpractice). He received a prison sentence and was declared ineligible for life for public office candidacy in Tunisia.
- Some critics have also commented on how his rapid pivot from rap to politics seemed opportunistic, and raised questions about his qualifications for governance.
Despite these setbacks, K2rhym has maintained that his intentions are sincere and that his philanthropy and activism are genuine.
Personal Life: Wife and Children
K2rhym was briefly married. In 2019 he married Nesrine Ben Ali, daughter of the former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The marriage was short-lived and ended within the same year; they did not have children together. As of 2025 he is single and does not have publicly confirmed children. He prefers to keep his personal life relatively private.
Net Worth
Estimates of K2rhym’s net worth vary massively due to the mix of entertainment income, business ventures and legal/financial issues. Some sources place his net worth at anywhere between USD $100,000 and USD $20 million, depending on assumptions about his investments, music earnings and business holdings. Given legal troubles and lack of full public disclosure, the lower end of the estimate is more plausible.
Income streams include: rap/record sales, streaming and touring, television hosting, brand collaborations, and his entrepreneurial activities in media and technology (including his Dubai-based company “StarMania” and other ventures).
Age and Physical Profile
As of 2025, K2rhym is 44 years old (born 14 October 1980). Public profiles do not reliably list his height or other physical metrics. His appearance, however, is noted for evolving from streetwear rapper to polished presenter/politician look.
Legacy and Influence
K2rhym occupies an interesting place as a cross-cultural rapper in North Africa, blending French rap culture, Arabic language and Tunisian roots. He contributed to making Arabic-language rap more visible, and his pivot toward public service reflects an attempt to broaden his impact beyond entertainment.
His legacy remains mixed—musically influential for a generation of Tunisian youth, but politically controversial due to the legal issues. If he continues to build his philanthropic outreach and maintains transparency, he may yet establish a stronger reputation in civic leadership.
Conclusion
Karim Gharbi (K2rhym) is a dynamic personality whose journey from Tunisian street to French rap scene, from entertainment to political aspirations, tells a story of ambition, reinvention and challenge. While he has achieved success in music and media, his political and legal hurdles illustrate the complexity of celebrity-turned-politician transitions.
At his current age, K2rhym stands at a crossroads. His next moves—whether in music, philanthropy or politics—will determine whether he is remembered primarily as an influential rapper, a failed political aspirant, or a hybrid figure of culture and civic engagement.
