Who is this guy with the black balaclava and the raspy voice? The year 1986 on the bonnet tells us in the music videos and short clips on relevant social media platforms that it's the singer who calls himself 1986zig and makes a big secret of his person. But songs like "Kopf aus", "Keine Pause" or "Wir beide" don't need a name or a face - voice, lyric lines and hooks alone are quite enough. This is also proven by the astronomical streaming figures as well as the rapid pace at which 1986zig has risen from nobody to universally hyped phenomenon.
It all starts on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. There, 1986zig first uploaded cover versions from Apache to AnnenMayKantereit. His expressive singing caused the number of clicks and followers to skyrocket within a very short time. At this point, few people suspect that the man with the sometimes scratchy, sometimes soft voice is also a talented songwriter. This changes when the hooded man starts posting his own songs or snippets of them. The now considerable fan base also includes well-known colleagues such as Clueso, who promptly records a small TikTok duet with 1986zig.
1986zig is "Einer von euch"
In 2021, "Einer von euch" was released as the first official single via Universal Music. Since then, the nameless unknown has sung his way a little further towards the German pop Olympus with every release. The appearance and the entire aesthetics in music videos and promo photos by 1986zig are strongly reminiscent of German rap. And collabos like the one with Kontra K on "Keine Pause" or Bozza on "Goldraub" also point in this direction. But tracks like "Fliegen", Mitternacht" or "Tränen" clearly fall into the pop category - urban pop, to be precise. However, with the balaclava and what is palpable both in and between the lines of lyrics, the "Kopf aus" singer should also be able to convince one or two other Deutschrap fans of his worth.
Thanks to his multi-faceted voice, 1986zig also sounds anything but slick. The high-flyer is miles away from an interchangeable, superficial pop singer. The lyrics alone make sure of that. The contrast between rough and clear vocals gives the songs that certain something that the ever-growing audience can't get enough of since the first samples. Even his early cover songs gave 1986zig an individual touch. Today, he releases his own songs, which also stand out from the crowd, such as "Kopf aus", "Keine Pause", "Mitternacht" or "Goldraub". 1986zig deliberately puts his person in the background and thus puts his music in the centre. One of the most exciting German newcomers of the moment!
