After PA69 celebrated something of a breakthrough in the alternative rap scene with the singles “Kingmische” and “Biertornado”, they are now releasing their debut “XXL” after five years of band existence. DJ DOPE, Discounto and Turbogianni – work clothes: camouflage outfits, pink balaclavas – in contrast to many of their genre colleagues, they consciously appear close to the people, don’t give a shit about arrogant smugness and self-aggrandizement and go where it hurts – the next morning at the latest. No sexist dick rap, no demeaning of women or minorities.
Editorial recommendations
A remarkable debut between street, pub and subversive badass humor
Too clever and too funny for Malle rubbish, the boys blast their way through eleven tracks and show in an exemplary way that atziness can also come across as sympathetic and self-critical – especially if they think about their own origins. “Our sound catches your ear / like a bullet for Trump / no love for the state / no love for the country,” says the opener “Fear of Heights”. Later, in the title track “XXL”, it is announced that they already have some big and big things to show – but what is meant here is the (beer) belly.
A perceived closeness to Deichkind’s tech rap colleagues flashes here and there – Dadaism, booze, anti-fascism, electro. But while at Deichkind the features section has long since greeted you, at PA69 the dirt still reigns: piss, drugs, riding the SBahn. Speaking of Saufi: “Get to the Buletten” has an Ikkimel feature. More Berlin is not possible right now. And testotypes are found to be extremely poor – this is also what fundamentally distinguishes PA69 from the canon of German rap. XXL is a remarkable debut between street, pub and subversive badass humor.
This review first appeared in Musikexpress 12/2025.