The passing of Giwar Hajabi, better known to millions as Xatar, had a profoundly personal impact on Germany’s music scene. The Kurdish-German rapper and businessman, who was discovered dead in his Cologne apartment at the age of 43, left behind a legacy that was incredibly successful at erasing boundaries, bridging cultures, and redefining what authenticity could sound like. His death meant more than just losing a man; it meant losing a voice that bravely spoke up for people who didn’t often feel heard.
The narrative of Xatar was one of perpetual change—survival, metamorphosis, and, finally, victory. He was born in Iran during a period of political upheaval, lived through displacement as a child, and then found a fresh start in Germany. Even though he had a difficult upbringing, his creative spirit persisted remarkably. By his late teens, he was experimenting with rhymes and beats in Bonn’s youth centers, laying the groundwork for Alles oder Nix Records, one of Germany’s most significant rap labels.
By the middle of the 2000s, Xatar’s music had evolved into a raw, funny, and brutally honest representation of life in immigrant neighborhoods. “Baba aller Babas,” which he released in 2015, peaked at the top of the charts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. For fans, it was a statement of identity as much as music. His verses, which were at times harsh and at other times introspective, struck a striking chord with the real-life experiences of people juggling two cultures.
Xatar – Personal and Professional Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giwar Hajabi |
| Stage Name | Xatar |
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Sanandaj, Kurdistan Region, Iran |
| Died | May 7, 2025, Cologne, Germany |
| Age at Death | 43 years |
| Nationality | Kurdish-German |
| Education | London Metropolitan University (Music Business) |
| Occupation | Rapper, Entrepreneur, Label Founder |
| Record Labels | Alles oder Nix Records, Groove Attack TraX, Kopfticker Records |
| Major Works | “Baba aller Babas” (2015), “Der Holland Job” (2016), “Alles oder Nix II” (2018) |
| Notable Film | “Rheingold” (2022, directed by Fatih Akin) |
| Reference | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xatar |
By means of strategic alliances and a keen business sense, Xatar’s endeavors expanded. In addition to starting his own restaurant chain, “Haval Grill,” and founding multiple record labels, he rose to prominence as a cultural figure whose voice went beyond music. His creative philosophy was reflected in his joke that he wanted to serve kebabs with the same level of precision that he applied to beats: passion served with craftsmanship. His business endeavors, especially his food company, demonstrated how culture could flourish in business while remaining surprisingly inexpensive and closely tied to his heritage.
However, beneath his charisma lay a man who had overcome adversity. Instead of ending his career, his 2009 incarceration for a gold heist changed him. He sent tapes to producers, recorded lyrics while incarcerated, and started Nr. 415, a project that transformed his confinement into art. Those who saw the blueprint for redemption in him benefited greatly from that resilience, which was not only uncommon. He never avoided his past; rather, he used it as inspiration.
He rebuilt his empire after being freed, working with musicians like Eno, SSIO, and Haftbefehl. His record label expanded very effectively, acquiring artists who dominated charts and helped to define a new wave of German rap. What distinguished him was his acute sense of authenticity. “You don’t need to act tough when you’ve already lived it,” he once said. That confidence turned into his brand.
Xatar created a multifaceted persona that made him extremely adaptable by fusing fashion, music, and film. The honesty of Emilio Sakraya’s biopic Rheingold, which was released by Fatih Akin in 2022, enthralled viewers. The movie followed his path from refugee to rap mogul, highlighting the way he transformed risk into art and struggle into rhythm. It was more than just a movie; it was a metaphor for how tenacity can give chaos purpose.
After suffering a stroke in 2021, Xatar reportedly turned his attention to his health and self-reflection. In order to regain his strength, he shed fifty kilograms; friends characterized this change as both spiritual and physical. He demonstrated a drive that rarely diminished and was remarkably effective at adapting, even after health setbacks. According to those close to him, his belief in perpetual reinvention was reflected in his ambition to take Goldmann Entertainment global before he passed away.
His death quickly became widely known on social media, bringing activists, artists, and fans together. Peers flooded in with tributes, praising him for opening the door for immigrant voices in German media. Younger artists called him “Baba aller Babas”—a title that seemed appropriate even in grief—while Haftbefehl referred to him as “the architect of realness.” Thousands of people attended his funeral in the Muslim neighborhood of Nordfriedhof in Bonn, and their prayers, which were interspersed in several languages, all had one thing in common: respect.
Many people found that Xatar’s passing reignited discussions about resilience, representation, and the social space that artists like him create. He was more than just a rapper; he converted difference into conversation and served as a bridge between Kurdish identity and the German mainstream. His path was especially groundbreaking because it changed the way that immigrant success is viewed—as assertion rather than as assimilation.
His songs, which frequently touch on pride, pain, and loyalty, are still deeply ingrained in popular culture. He discussed authenticity as a form of resistance and loyalty as a moral currency in songs like “Original” and “Iz Da.” In a time when identity is frequently commercialized and belonging feels negotiable, these themes are still very relevant today.
