PLK is an integral part of Paris’ diverse rap scene, but the MC born Mathieu Pruski takes inspiration from his Polish roots. His moniker, short for Polak, became the title for his debut solo album released in 2018, and the story of his grandfather’s journey to France during World War II is at the centre of Pruski’s thematic ideas. PLK raps with a warm, scarred singing voice that brings his pain to the fore, like on the carnivalesque “Un peu de haine” from 2019’s Mental and the acoustic-guitar-laden “C’est mort” from 2020. PLK is firmly ensconced within France’s rap hierarchy, but his work is indebted to the sacrifices of his family.