Samy Deluxe celebrates 30 years of hip-hop: Talk in Cologne on October 30th!

Samy Deluxe celebrates 30 years of hip-hop: Talk in Cologne on October 30th!

Samy Deluxe, a defining figure in the German rap scene, will be invited to a public talk at the Cologne Hip Hop Institute at the University of Cologne on October 30, 2025. On this date, from 12:00 to 1:20 p.m., the Hamburg rapper will not only celebrate his 30th stage anniversary, but also discuss important topics such as identity, migration and social inequality. The conversation will be led by Professor Dr. Oliver Kautny, co-founder of the institute, led. Those interested have the opportunity to register free of charge by email until October 27, 2025 to take part in this event and gain insights into the artistic development and the role of rap as a medium of social debate. In addition to Kautny, the talk will also shed light on the importance of the Cologne Hip Hop Institute in music education, which has already initiated numerous research and transfer projects on hip hop and offers workshops and guest lectures. For more information, see uni-koeln.de.

Samy Deluxe, who has been a fixture in the music business since his debut album in 2001, recently caused a sensation with his sold-out performance at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall. The concert evening, accompanied by the "Mikis Takeover! Ensemble", combined classical music with his rap elements and illustrated his desire to blur cultural boundaries. The combination of classical ensemble and his lyrics not only demonstrated his artistic abilities, but also addressed the differences between the two musical genres. What was particularly notable was how in his first piece “Requiem” he fused classical melodies with powerful rap lyrics, while the clarity of the sound technology played a central role. Information about this appearance can be found at Rundschau-online.de.

The evolution of hip hop

Over the last few decades, hip hop has developed into one of the most influential youth cultures worldwide. Sociologists and youth researchers such as Klaus Farin emphasize the diversity and cultural implications associated with this phenomenon. In Germany, rap has gained a foothold not only musically but also politically, which is reflected, among other things, in the founding of a hip-hop party. In a society characterized by migration and social inequalities, hip hop emerges as a multicultural project that is of great importance for the identity development of young people. However, the development of a distinct cultural identity in Germany was not without challenges, as the cultural struggles of the 1980s and 1990s show.

The scientific discussion of hip hop, which began in the USA in the 1990s, only later became established in Germany. During this time, numerous research approaches also developed that focused on topics such as race/ethnicity, class and gender. Authenticity in rap is often viewed as a product of social and cultural socialization, while the discussion about digital culture and its influence on the music industry is currently becoming increasingly important. These topics are discussed in detail in the publication of the Federal Agency for Civic Education, which can be found at: bpb.de is available.