Average & Kayo

Average and Kayo, two pillars of the Austrian rap scene, are joining forces for the first time in 2026 to release a collaborative album that is already shaping up as one of the year's most compelling projects. Average, a rapper from Linz, has built his reputation as a defining voice in domestic hip-hop through mixtapes, EPs and a string of collaborations. Kayo is one of the most important figures in Austrian dialect rap, and since the 1990s - both as a solo artist and as a member of Markante Handlungen - has played a central role in building and advancing the scene. Both are also part of the collective TTR Allstars.

Together they craft an album that moves stylistically between classic boom-bap and contemporary production. With contributions from the who's who of the dialect rap scene, the result is a versatile record that speaks to hardcore hip-hop heads and fans of current sounds alike. Lyrically, the release ranges from personal storytelling to sharp battle rap.

Dialect rap fans in particular have reason to be excited: the interplay of regional vernacular, distinctive voices and varied production gives the album a character all its own - and makes it a strong contender for dialect rap album of the year 2026.