A declaration of love to hip-hop that finds its way into the present via the 80s.
“Let’s see how many stories fit into a sample beat like this,” raps Shogoon – and thus sets the direction for his debut album, both musically and in terms of content. It is mostly stories of loss that the musical autodictation tells in a sentimental tone. First and foremost that of his father, who disappeared from his life early. But also the suicide of a friend and the feeling of alienation when visiting the old homeland are discussed.
Otherwise MÄRCHEN is above all a powerful declaration of love to hip hop. The track “Last Row” is about the beginning of this love, of Shogoon as a teenager sitting at the back of the classroom, hood pulled over his head, listening to his big idols through headphones. About how he dreamed of the big America in small Minden: “Watch ‘8 Mile’ and ‘Hustle & Flow’ as if they were arte documentaries.”
Shogoon’s passion for hip-hop hasn’t let go of him to this day. You can hear his fascination for the culture of sprayers and skaters, sweatpants hustlers and hoodchillers in each of the eleven album songs he produced himself: boom-bap parts, hip-hop references and lots of nostalgic (rap) samples create a vibe that promotes continuity to the west coast rap of the 1980s and still finds its way into the present. Anyone who doesn’t feel this vibe can never have loved hip-hop.