Karen Mukupa

Karen Mukupa is back, and she’s returning with a bang of an album.
The singer has turned 50, but that certainly doesn’t mean she’s done making music. Quite the opposite—she’s releasing her most personal album yet, one that clearly showcases a rapper and singer with plenty more to offer. 'Bonobo' is out now.

'Bonobo' (Bonobos are one of our closest relatives, sharing about 99% of our DNA) appeals both to those who remember when hip-hop was an underground culture in the 1990s and to those who know Karen Mukupa from Natasja’s hit Til Banken featuring Tessa from 2020. New and old listeners alike can start here. The album’s ten tracks are infused with soulful touches and R&B rhythms, produced by Ezi Cut (Outlandish, Jokeren, Burhan G) and mastered by Soulshock, who shares Mukupa’s early-90s hip-hop roots.

Karen Mukupa says: “I think there’s a lack of older female rappers to look up to. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you automatically start listening to classical music. I’m just as in love with hip-hop now as I was at 14. I want to be a role model and show that women still have a place in the music scene, even if they’re over 45. I almost feel like this album is my ‘Ground Zero.’ From now on, it’s all about moving forward.”

Live, Karen Mukupa is one of a kind on the Danish music scene, exuding an outgoing and direct energy paired with a deep love for music that’s rarely encountered. Her shows are intimate, warm, and filled with hip-hop tones, including several shout-outs to the rappers on whose shoulders she stands.

With more than 30 years in Danish music, Karen Mukupa is a true legend in Danish hip-hop. Born to a Danish father and a Zambian mother, she began her career in 1989 as part of Denmark’s first female rap duo, No Name Requested, alongside Natasja. Since 2000, she has released four solo albums and is about to celebrate her 35th anniversary in the industry. Additionally, she is a regular radio host on P8 Jazz and works as a mentor at the rap academy Urban Grrls.