Zackavelli

Anyone following the German rap underground has had Zackavelli on their radar since at least 2023 - though he first appeared on the scene a few years earlier. Tracks like "Tiger Woods Freestyle" with Coolpacc, "Ja Man!" and "Glock unterm Kleid" are what really set things in motion. By 2024 he had become one of the most talked-about newcomers in the game. US Trap-inspired beats and mumble rap-style lyrics about life in Berlin's Kreuzberg district are his trademark - and the key to his growing success. From these carefully chosen ingredients he has built a distinctive sound that keeps earning him new listeners.

Zackavelli entered the rap game in 2019, collaborating with artists like Kane and Ello, including the joint album "Saphir" released in 2020. Another collaborative project with Ello, titled "Babylon", followed in 2021. Those early releases are now only findable in the rapper's archive on streaming platforms - the result of a deliberate solo restart. In August 2021 he dropped his first solo single "Z3'", followed by "O.J. Mayo". Further singles steadily widened his reach.

His minimalist style, reminiscent of US rappers like Young Thug, clearly connects with audiences. His music also covers a lot of ground: tracks are progressive and stripped-back, yet melodic and at times outright danceable. Clever sample use is another hallmark - including a flip of Kendrick Lamar's "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" on "Tiger Woods Freestyle".