XATAR

XATAR, born Giwar Hajabi (1981–2025), was a German rapper, entrepreneur, and one of the most colorful figures in German-language hip-hop. Born to Kurdish parents and raised in Bonn, he took his stage name from the Kurdish word for danger, a nod to a turbulent early life that included a highly publicized prison sentence before he turned fully to music. That backstory, combined with his gravelly voice and unapologetic street narratives, gave his work a rare authenticity within the German rap scene.

XATAR built his catalog around gritty, autobiographical storytelling mixed with sharp humor and business savvy, releasing tracks such as «Original», «Iz Da», and «Balla» that showcased both his hard-edged delivery and a surprising melodic sensitivity, heard on songs like «Meine große Liebe» and «Mein Mantel». He was also a founding member of the duo Coup, extending his reach beyond solo work.

Beyond music, he was known as a shrewd entrepreneur, most notably co-founding the energy drink brand 28 Black, which cemented his reputation as an artist who translated street credibility into mainstream business success. His sudden death in 2025 was widely mourned across the German hip-hop community, cementing his legacy as a pioneer who blended raw honesty with commercial ambition.