Iranian Kurdish rapper Xatar dies at 43 in Germany

BERLIN,— Iranian Kurdish-German rapper and businessman and influential music entrepreneur Xatar has died at the age of 43, German news outlets reported on Friday.

The 43-year-old artist, whose real name was Giwar Hajabi, found dead under unclear circumstances.

According to German tabloid Bild, Xatar died in Berlin, while outlets WELT and Express reported he was found in an apartment in Cologne.

Authorities in Cologne have opened an investigation into his death, the public prosecutor’s office confirmed.

An autopsy showed no signs of external violence, but the exact cause of death remains under review.

Xatar’s death was first announced by fellow rapper Farid Bang on Instagram, prompting an outpouring of reactions across Germany’s hip-hop community.

Born December 24, 1981, in Sne (Sanandaj), Iranian Kurdistan (Western Kurdistan Rojhelat), Xatar grew up in Germany after his Kurdish parents sought asylum there. His stage name, Xatar, translates to “danger” in Arabic.

He rose to fame in the German music scene, particularly after topping the charts in 2015 with the album Baba aller Babas. Over his career, he released six albums, with the most recent, Hrrr, dropping in 2021.

Xatar, the Iranian Kurdish-German rapper and influential music entrepreneur began playing the piano at the age of nine. Photo from 2018/Creative Commons/wikimedia

Beyond his music, Xatar was known for his business ventures, heading labels including Alles oder Nix, Kopfticker, Groove Attack TraX, and Goldmann Entertainment.

One of his best-known songs, Bayda, a collaboration with Navid Zardi, has attracted over 24 million views on YouTube.

Xatar is survived by his wife, Farvah, and their five children. The couple had been together for 15 years.

According to a close friend speaking to Rudaw TV, Xatar had been battling leukemia for the past two years and had undergone chemotherapy.

“We rarely saw each other after his treatment began,” the friend said. “But I knew about his condition from others.” However, this report could not be independently confirmed, and some have noted that it remains speculation at this stage.

(With files from Agencies)