Arkan – the German David Bowie
I'll admit it: I'm late to the party. Arkan has only been on my radar since this summer, and since then he's been the most exciting newcomer of the year for me. That he's actually been around for a long time is something I only figured out later: his first EP "Tragik" came out in 2017, back then with a cloth covering his face.
The internet crowd most likely first noticed Arkan through "Verliebt" ("In Love"). In it, he staged a love affair with reality star Claudia Obert.
Why a German Bowie?
Bowie didn't just keep inventing new personas, above all he played with what supposedly makes a man a man. That's exactly what Arkan does in a genre that likes its masculinity clear-cut.
On one side, his Turkish roots and a street-shaped environment, on the other, a modern, metrosexual world of style and self-presentation. He calls himself a masculine twink and stands there half-naked where other rappers flex gold chains. But the clichés of classic masculinity aren't the enemy for him, they're raw material: he quotes them, exaggerates them and breaks them in the same breath. Just like with Bowie, the provocation doesn't come from volume, but from ambiguity.
When provocation strikes back:
Recently, Arkan was attacked and injured in Berlin. His new single "Zwilling" ("Twin") has been out since October 30. In it, he also processes what happened to him, and he doesn't back down an inch. The track stands out with its pace and directness, packed with unfiltered images from his own life.
Why I rate Arkan:
- He plays with images of masculinity instead of bluntly copying them, and that makes him more exciting than 90% of the street rap copycats.
- He stays uncomfortable, even when it costs him.
Rating:
Flow & Wordplay 08/10
Sound Identity 10/10
Niche Factor 05/10
Overall 8/10 (rounded up)
Over to you: Who's next in line? 👇
PS: Next round, it's time for a female act!