As a passionate hip-hop fan and music journalist, I was excited to see how the splash! Festival 2025 staged the scene. And even in the backstage area it becomes clear: hip-hop in Germany is no longer a uniform block, but a multi-layered, dynamic universe-from underground to mainstream, from political messages to innovative soast experiments.
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From the beginning to the present – DJ Ron remembers
DJ Ron is a living legend of the splash! -Whether as a DJ, press spokesman or feel-good manager: he was there in almost every role and shaped the festival. He has been part of this story since the very first hour. “1999 was an eye opener,” he recalls. “HipHop was still a niche at the time, but here you felt that this is more than music – that is an exploding culture.” The very first splash! In 1998 Indoor still took place in front of just 1,300 people. A year later the jump: Open Air, 13,000 visitors: inside, a collective amazement – and the moment when it became clear: HipHop has arrived in Germany. Today, in 2025, almost 30,000 hip-hop fans make a pilgrimage to Ferropolis
Doechii and UFO361: Energy, attitude and empowerment
On Thursday, July 3, UFO361 presented spectacularly. As one of the first acts on the main stage, he brought the crowd to produce the most intense moshpits of the festival – raw energy that was noticeable down to the back rows.
Doechii, in turn, impressively showed why there is currently so much hype around them – and why he is completely justified. Her appearance was an uncompromising homage to hip-hop culture: old samples, fresh sounds, strong flow, impressive singing. A performance that technically shone and at the same time grabbed emotionally.
With presence, charisma and a pinch of Twerk-energy, she attracted everyone’s attention. Her artistic force broke the crowd – an appearance that not only maintained, but also set a statement: HipHop is no longer a male domain.
National artists such as Zsá Zsá, Domiziana, Jolle, Vicky and Rose Mary also provided fresh impulses. They bring new perspectives, break with expectations and shape a scene that changes audibly and visibly – various, feminine, future -oriented.
Politics, provocation and empowerment
On Friday evening, July 4th, the audience gathered in front of the Mainstage when Kiz set a sign with her usual rousing and politically charged show. Her song “Hurray, this world goes under” became the bitterly evil, ironic anthem of a torn present. Anyone who looked around saw each other in the faces of the crowd: hip -hop meets here in the heart of reality.
Ski Aggu brought a completely different note to the festival. With his unconventional nature and open attitude, he converted the splash! in a respectful space. Particularly strong in addition to its performance and the crowd work: its demand for more Flinta*moshpits.
HipHop lives from change
What the splash! 2025 so special? The constant further development. More women on stages, new topics, cross -genre collaborations – and a real feeling of community. In the backstage area there were inspiring conversations with well-known German rappers: about understanding of art, about politics in music, but also very pragmatic and selfish, of course, of course, what kind of artist: in a good interview. How diverse the festival is now, was shown in the appearance of Hanumanindan Indian rapper who caused a sensation with his viral hit “Big Dawgs” and a remix with A $ Ap Rocky. On a smaller stage – but with great impact – he demonstrated how international and multifaceted hip -hop is today. Another special moment showed wheelchair users in front of the main stage who made up their own moshpit and made it clear that there are no limits for them either.
Exclusive ME interviews with Baran Kok and Badchieff
For the MusikExpress I had the opportunity to talk to Baran Kok – one of the most exciting new voices in the queer rap. He spoke openly and intensively about his music, his queer identity and the challenges he experienced as a gay artist in the scene. You will soon see the whole interview on our website.
Badchieff also took time for a conversation and chatted openly out of the sewing box: For example, he told how he once went shopping with a $ ap ferg. They spent several days together, which shows how closely the international and national hip-hop scene is networked today.
On Saturday, July 5th, I had the pleasure, Ferg – formerly A $ AP Ferg. An impressive personality: relaxed, charismatic, with the cultural weight of the A $ ap mob in the back. Few have shaped the scene as sustainably as he did. And yet: the crowd was smaller than expected. It used to look different. Perhaps it was also due to the lack of “A $ AP” in the name, which did not appear in the line-up. Reconstrated, Ferg exposed energy, was present, was like. And he managed to win the crowd for himself without hype.
Legends, live power and cultural history
Young Thug caused goose bumps when he quickly brought his two sons onto the stage. Bigxthaplug impressed with presence – we will surely hear more from him in the future. And then there was Yeat: As the last act of the festival, he delivered a brilliant conclusion – energetic, loud, brutal. His performance was surprisingly strong, maybe even stronger than that of Young Thug.
The national artists also showed what they can do: Majan, BHz, Jassin and Makko played powerful sets that completely ran the audience. Deutschrap was on the splash! Not only represented – he was right in the middle.
The appearance of Celo & Abdi on one of the smaller stages was particularly impressive: a moment of pure hip-hop story. Every verse, every announcement-you felt how much they have shaped the German rap culture for years. Authentic, raw, legendary. Here An excerpt of their appearance.
The splash! 2025 was chaotic, loud, dusted – and therefore great in his own way. But also exhausting.
What noticed: international acts have to deliver more than ever today. You cannot rely on big names, but have to convince the German crowd – with energy, presence and real connection. Some tear off. Others appear overwhelmed, stand in front of a lifeless audience and fail on the vibe.
Of course there were organizational trailers-too much dust in the nose, long ways, the typical festival madness. But what remains is a feeling:
HipHop lives.
Through change.
Through diversity.
Through real emotion.
Through the people who make it – and through those who scream every verse in the crowd because they feel it.