Xatar
Xatar: The German Rap Mogul
Xatar is a German rapper, entrepreneur, and record label founder of Kurdish origin who has shaped the German hip-hop scene with his raw street narratives and business acumen. His major label debut album "Alles oder nix" achieved Gold status, cementing his position as a commercially successful force in gangsta rap.
Early career
Born Giwar Hajabi in 1981 in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, his family fled to Germany when he was a child. He began his musical journey in the early 2000s, founding the independent label Alles oder Nix Records and releasing his first mixtapes, which quickly gained a cult following for their unfiltered portrayal of street life.
Breakthrough
His mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2011 with the single "Schlechtes Vorbild," a collaboration with Kollegah. The track's success paved the way for his major label debut album "Alles oder nix" in 2012, released through Groove Attack and Warner Music, which earned a Gold certification for over 100,000 units sold.
Key tracks
Schlechtes Vorbild — This 2011 collaboration with Kollegah was his first major chart hit, peaking at number 33 and introducing him to a nationwide audience.
Aram — A deeply personal track from his 2014 album "Baba aller Babas" that addresses his family's refugee history and established his more introspective side.
Alles oder nix — The title track of his Gold-certified album is an anthem of his relentless, high-stakes philosophy in both music and business.
Mosaik — Featured on his 2017 album "Alles oder nix X," this song showcases his refined storytelling over atmospheric production, demonstrating artistic growth.
Following his breakthrough, Xatar solidified his status with albums like "Baba aller Babas" and "Alles oder nix X," while expanding his entrepreneurial empire. His ventures include a successful coffee brand and a documentary series, making him a multifaceted figure beyond music. He has collaborated with major German rap artists like Farid Bang and KC Rebell, further anchoring his influence in the genre.
Artists with a similar gritty, street-oriented approach in German rap include Kollegah, a frequent collaborator known for his complex wordplay and business-centric lyrics. Farid Bang shares the hardcore gangsta rap aesthetic and has partnered with Xatar on several tracks. Massiv represents the raw, narrative-driven style of German street rap from an earlier generation. KC Rebell also blends personal street tales with anthemic hooks, creating a similar musical dynamic.
Xatar's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on German urban and hip-hop FM stations, as well as on online rap radio streams that feature the most relevant voices in the genre. His hits are staples in rotations that focus on authentic street narratives and commercial German hip-hop.
Listeners can discover the impactful discography of Xatar through the radio stations featured on our website. His defining tracks and latest releases are regularly played on the German hip-hop and urban radio stations available on onairium.com.