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Sizes of the German rap scene are gathered on a few square meters, unpublished treasures from the secret repertoire of your favorite artists sound out of the speakers, the lineup is as top secret as the songs that are played, and not a single cell phone display blocks the view in the dancing quantity-what sounds like a fever dream of every hipphop fans has become reality in Berlin.
Anyone who already knows the “unreleased” format from their monthly sessions in the Kreuzberg ballroom knows that the organizers of the HipHop series are always good for surprises. Now “unreleased” has shown that it can also offer surprises on a very big stage. On Saturday, September 20th, the “Unreleased Festival” took place for the first time – and with a lineup previously offered a celebration of the hip -hop, which managed to embody exactly what the genre stands for: a hand in the hands of new and old generations, a sense of experimental, rebellious sound and a sense of community that is seased to music.
The hip-hop gods were indeed gracious to the festival organizers and their fans on the grounds of the Südost area in Berlin-Schöneweide: in perfect sunshine, late summer was once again from his golden side when hundreds of young people gathered in front of the stage on the old industrial estate-as was created for a day of hip hop. From 2 p.m. not only were established rap artists: inside, but also exciting newcomers: to see inside the scene on the stage, which, in addition to well -known hits, also played unpublished songs.
Wizthemc, Yung Saint Paul and Sampagne fire the crowd
The singer-songwriter Jonny Mahaoro started with his swingy sound from RNB, indie and pop, followed by the Swiss newcomer Nayla, who, as she said herself, performed one of her first major shows at the “unreleased festival” and despite his own excitement, the crowd was able to convince with her soft rap and with sympathy. The rapper Rua, born in Munich, was able to take special cheering, who won the hearts of the crowd with tough lines and a dynamic appearance. With that, the Frankfurt rapper Haaland was directly in good company, who, with his only 19 years, delivered a flow in the style of French rap, which reminded many of Apache 207.
The German-South African rapper and songwriter Wizthemc, born in Cape Town, followed him, who blew the charts in the spring of this year with the song “Show Me Love”-and the “unreleased” crowd on Saturday. How often do you get the artist who grew up in Lüneburg, who now united 30 million streams and recently appeared with Tyla at the Coachella Festival, to see so close and unfiltered? The highlight of the first block was finally Yung Saint Paul, who, with his energetic performance, made people dance, brought his colleague samping on stage and, among other things, played his hit “beautifully”. In conversation with the Rolling Stone, Yung Saint Paul then announced a joint EP with a samping that fans can look forward to in the coming months.
Handy -free and with a good mood
Apropros “Beautiful” – not only the artists’ performances could be seen: inside, but also the mood among the visitors: inside that showed every artist: inside respect and support and even unrelging songs with the same energy celebrated as viral hits. Last but not least, the festival organizer was banned from admission. All mobile phone cameras were taped at the entrance – the result: an almost cell phone -free festival site and visitors: inside, all of which were able to enjoy the moment, all and together, instead of keeping their cell phones up during every performances. In addition to food and beverage options, the festival also offered a wide variety of opportunities to enjoy the festival off the stage, including stalls of tattoo artists: inside, for tooth Gems or Grillz.
The second block of the festival led the Hamburg rapper Ansu – supported by the vowel ensemble “A Song for You”, which together with the rapper delivered an emotional and artistically profound performance. To sing along, the crowd then brought the Austrian pop singer Esther Graf, who, with her light-hearted pop melodies, brought in a good mood and lightness in the set otherwise led by hip hop.
She can bring it to great: Lady Giiu
The biggest surprise of the block was without a doubt the Frankfurt rapper Lady Giiu, who officially only published a single song – and the crowd nevertheless left songs with open mouths with “on the way Frankfurt am Main” and unrel lights. An emotional, quieter appearance of T-Low and an insert from Zara followed a top-class performance by Tom Hengst, who took the Berlin singer Ellice on stage.
And with darkness that dipped the Southeast area in a suitable mysterious atmosphere, the third and last block of the festival finally followed, which, among other things, had the largest, previously secret main act to offer. Initially, the well -known Berlin rapper and producer Megaloh delivered an energetic performance, followed by Yasola and the P. The focus was on Fouza and the Kassel rapper Calli, who presented rousing hooks and sharp lines.
The highlight of the festival: Celo & Abdi personally
And at the crowning glory of the festival, everyone agreed that none other than the German rap icons Celo & Abdi. The Frankfurt rap duo has been making music for 16 years-and, unlike some newcomers, was able to draw from a rich repertoire of hits. And yet, the Rolling Stone was able to find out, Celo & Abdi have by no means put the pen down: Fans can look forward to a new album next year, say the rappers behind the scenes.
Last but not least, the ecstasy of festival goers showed that the two Frankfurters with their tough verses and rough beats still hit the ravages of time: inside at the end of the act. Songs like “Visiting Day” brought the crowd to cook; Likewise, a track with Nizi19, which the Frankfurters brought onto the stage. Celo & Abdi were the most beautiful and best surprise of the “Unreleased Festival”, which said goodbye to the raging crowd in the late evening with a fireworks from the Südost area.
“Unreleased”, the festival once again demonstrated, is a master of astonishing. And what it has to offer in the next few months and years can confidently be surprised by Berlin hip-hop fans.
That was the lineup of the “Unreleased Festival” 2025
- Jonny Mahoro
- Nayla
- Rua
- Haaland936
- Wizthemc
- Yung Saint Paul + Sampagne
- Ansu
- A song for you
- Esther Graf
- Lady Giiu
- t-low
- Zara
- Tom Hengst + Ellice
- Megaloh
- Yasola
- The P
- Fouza
- Calli
- Celo & Abdi + Nizi19