Kevin and I thought it’s about time that we open some minds and hit you with some European Hip Hop.  First of all, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Carsten and I’m straight outta the beautiful city of Dortmund, Germany. Born in 1988, I first came in touch with hip hop in ‘97 while listening to Pac and Wu-Tang. Forever curious as to what the lyrics were all about, I started translating them into my native language and got my first insight into the art form of rap.  The first MC that came to mind for my premiere article was the German artist Kool Savas. 

Kool Savas (birth name: Savas Yuderi) was born in 1975 and is the son of Turkish immigrants. From the beginning, Savas was always into battle-rap, so he gave his career a jump by competing in various Battle-Events.  Over time he had made his way to be the best lyricist in Germany.

Kool Savas’ flow is amazing and his topics vary between some funny shit like

“meine Texte ficken alles wie Matrosen auf Landgang”
[translation: "my lyrics are fucking everything like seaman on shore leave"]

and serious stuff like

“Mit 13 Jahren das erstemal Gangbang, dass ist krank, Menschen töten Menschen für ein Land, dass ist krank” [translation: "her first Gangbang at the age of 13 that's stupid, people killin' people for one country, that's stupid"]

or

“Wir fühlen uns verloren, warten auf Hilfe von oben, lindern die Symptome mit Drogen obwohl wir wissen das ist krank” [translation: "We feel lost, waiting for help from above, allaying the symptoms with drugs while we know that's bad"]

With lyrics such as these, Kool Savas is able to destroy every rapper lyrically.  In 2005 he made the biggest diss-record in German history against his former friend and German rapper Ecko.  He emphasises that he isn’t compareable to other German rappers; he compares himself to rappers such as Nas, Eminem, and Jay-Z. These are the MCs that have influenced him and kept him working on his lyrical delivery.

Savas’ girlfriend and producer Mel Beatz is working on a very professional level and has already done a couple of joints for Lil’ Flip wich made it to his album I Need Mine. Savas has also worked with American artists such as Royce Da 5′9”, Tre Little, and Kurupt on his debut album Der beste Tag meines Lebens (translation: The Best Day of My Life). His biggest single to date was his hit with German rapper Azad, “All 4 One”, which made it to the Top 4 in the German Media Control Charts. Interesting note about that track is that it was the same beat which Nas used on “The Makings of a Perfect Bitch”, from his 2004 Street’s Disciple LP. Kool Savas & Azad had this beat from L.E.S. and when Nas heard the beat, he asked Savas & Azad if he could use the track again for his album.

So what is the first thing a successful rapper does when he gets some money?? Right! He created his own label. His label is called Optik Records and gives younger and upcoming MC’s the chance to step into the rap game. By now his label is populated with some great German MC’s like Ercandize, Caput, and Moe Mitchell.

For 2008, Savas is currently on tour throughout Germany and parts of Europe and is overseeing a label compilation album with his Optik crew.

Late last year Kool Savas released his highly anticipated second record Tot Oder Lebendig (translation: Dead or Alive) making another classic LP which made it to the Top 10 Album Charts. The album didn’t push too many units, but all the fans and even the detractors were amazed.

The track “Mona Lisa” is a pure style manifest. Even if you don’t understand the words, it’ll kick your ass…

Listen to “Mona Lisa”

The second track “Der Beweis” (translation: “The Evidence”) is a real banger. Savas shows again his battle rap roots and kicks some more asses…

Listen to “Der Beweis”

I hope I gave you a brief look into one of my favorite European MCs and you enjoyed the two tracks. 

No matter if you like him or not…SHOW SOME RESPECT.

Kool Savas - Tot Oder Lebendig (Video)

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