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Few have shaped German rap as much as Celo & Abdi. The rap duo from Frankfurt has been making music for over 15 years and is characterized by hard street rap, authentic stories, but also its social commitment. Celo, son of Bosnian immigrants, and Abdi, son of Moroccan immigrants, tell stories on the street as a native of Frankfurt since 2009. Her songs are descriptions of the German crime milieus, tell of drug deals and police escape, but also about migration experiences, emigration stories and homelessness. Especially in later albums, the two criticize social injustice, racism and capitalism in their texts. Celo & Abdi released six albums in their career, most recently “Duo Numero Uno” in 2024.
In an interview with Rolling Stone at the “Unreleased Festival” 2025 in Berlin, the two talk about their role models how money spoils the character – and a new album where they are working on.
Celo & Abdi, in a few minutes you will be on the stage of the “Unreleased Festival”. How are you right now? Do you feel good to appear here right away?
Celo: Yes, definitely. Every appearance makes us fun.
Abdi: Of course I feel the same way.
You count as the OGS of the Deutschrap. Many newcomers appear at the “Unreleased Festival”: inside the hip hop. How does it feel as a representative of an established generation to be on stage with so many young rap artists: on the inside?
Celo: This is nothing new for us, because we still like to pull up and bring out newcomers in our camp. For us, it is already common for us.
Do you have the feeling that you are role models for all the young artists: inside, who can be seen here today at “Unreleased”?
Celo: If you have been successful for over 15 years, and still consistent, then you can already see yourself as a model, I think.
15 years is a long time. What is the reason why you still have success after so many years?
Abdi: We have a certain durability. And that is because we don’t pretend. That we do not change our music and try to jump over time over time. Management also plays a major role, like our brother Syn. These are the things that are important for durability: we stay as we are, we have a good manager and we do not jump up on every train. Clear. And besides, we are the Babas.
Celo: That’s the way. You can see many artists come and go, some of them cannot manage to establish themselves. In the end, this is due to the fact that when success comes, the money also comes. And some are not good for some, it can change the character.
Abdi: Some argue about money. From a certain amount, from five million, the real faces come out. Then the chaff separates from the wheat.
Celo: I also believe that if a lot of money flows, you can see who someone really is. Then you can see who is really intended for this game.
So you think you live for hip hop and not for commerce?
Celo: Yes. But hip hop also lives for us.
Some artists appear here today: inside, who have gained a lot over social media who have reached their hype via Tikkok and Instagram. How do you deal with the fact that hip hop has changed in the way the platforms its fans can use to achieve?
Celo: There have always been jumping boards. It used to be the radio, then it was YouTube. Everyone can get out for a moment. It is art to establish yourself.
The event today is entirely under the motto “Unreleased”. Many artists: For the first time, songs are playing here that they have not yet released. Is that also on the program for you?
Celo: Yes, we play an unpublished feature track with our brother Nizi19 from Berlin.
Abdi: We even recorded the track a year ago. And Nizi has planned him for his new album.
Can we expect new music from you in the future, maybe also a new album?
Celo: Definitely, yes. We are now on the doing, but we say more about that when we make nails with heads.