This German rapper is different from the others: Kontra K sets new standards - both with his message and his live shows. True to the motto "Towards the sun", the Berliner has rapped his way from the streets to the top with a lot of hard work. Unlike many of his colleagues, he does not stylise himself as a tough gangsta in his lyrics, but motivates his fans to do positive things. Sport, for example. Sport also serves as an inexhaustible source of strength for Kontra K himself, as can be clearly seen in the well-trained, heavily tattooed kickboxer.
Born Maximilian Diehn in Berlin in 1987, Kontra K did not always have it easy in his childhood and youth. The path to the wrong path seems to be marked out, if it weren't for his love of chanting and martial arts. In his early lyrics, the teenager processes his experiences on the street and takes his cue from US role models such as Tupac or Notorious B.I.G. Under the name "Vollkontakt", Kontra K releases the mixtape "Fightclub" in 2008 as a duo with KiezSpezial - a first step towards fame. Soon after, he founded the label DePeKa Records together with Skinny Al and Fatal.
On this very label, Kontra K released his debut album "Dobermann" in 2010. After another mixtape called "Elektrosmog" and the second full-length album "Was die Zeit bringt" (What Time Brings), the newcomer lands his first big hit with "12 Runden" (12 Rounds): The record enters the Top 10 and Kontra K, who until then had been toiling as a craftsman, can finally devote himself fully to music. In 2015, he finally steps "out of the shadows into the light". From then on, the "adrenaline"-laden chartbreaker settles for nothing less than pole position. "Labyrinth", "Gute Nacht", "Erde & Knochen", "Sie wollten Wasser doch kriegen Benzin" and "Vollmond" - they all top the charts and stay there for months. The recognition within the scene can also be seen in guest appearances by German-language rap greats such as Gzuz, RAF Camora, Bonez MC or Capital Bra.
"Success is not luck"
Kontra K is a workhorse, a fighter and thus a role model for countless young people. Every year he delivers new fodder to his fans in the form of albums or EPs. Tracks like "Wölfe", "Diese eine Melodie", "Tiefschwarz", "Alles dreht sich", "Soldaten 2.0" or "Blei" speak directly from the soul of many. The message: "You don't want to go into the ghetto, you want to get out of the ghetto". When the Berliner raps about life on the streets of the capital, he knows exactly what he is talking about. Nevertheless, nothing is further from his mind than glorifying crime. Showing off is not his thing either. Instead, he conveys values like honour and loyalty. Kontra K is one of the good guys - and yet in 2021 he returns "from the light into the shadows".
On stage, of course, the rapper is always in the spotlight - and obviously feels comfortable there. He leaves no doubt that he loves performing at his concerts. Contact with the fans is also immensely important to him; he never forgets who he has to thank for his outstanding success. Whether it's "Letzte Wölfe" (Last Wolves) 2019/20 or "Der Sonne entgegen" (Towards the Sun) for the "Vollmond" (Full Moon) album - in the meantime Kontra K makes guest appearances on tour in the big halls and arenas without exception. The authentic, motivating songs, the grandiose stage design and the energetic performance will also leave thousands of enthusiastic fans behind on the next Kontra K tour.
