The last few years have seen a good amount of great German hip-hop albums, however, now there is Monument.
Kollegah’s previous emissions are outstanding, but the way he bookended the rollercoaster ride that the year 2018 proved to be for him is the evolutionary apex of an artist who has honed and refined his craft over the last fourteen years, and, is by far both more venomous and subtle than what he has released before.
Kollegah’s densely packed potent lyrical emissions are framed by scores of internationally renowned A-list producers such as Scott Scorch and AraabMuzik. In that regard one could claim that there are multiple stars on Monument, not even mentioning the high-calibre features by the likes of NAS and Cam'ron, but the album would be nothing without Kollegah destroying literally every track with his unbridled passion and his unrivalled ability to coolly captivate an audience with his storytelling chops, scalpel-like precision, or his talent of mining comedy from both the most absurd and serious of subjects.
These are skills rarely seen in the same package yet Kollegah’s oeuvre comprises them.
While his peers brag about the size of their (man-)hood, elaborate on their mundane status symbols or loose themselves in flavour of the month Modus Mio afrotrap, Kollegah styles on them with peculiar gusto and authenticity.
The man loves painting pictures with words, and “Monument” is his ultimate canvas as he trafficks in smart lyrics and metaphorical punchlines par excellence over well-curated beats.
Monument is a journey through the stoicism and the regimen that form the DNA of a self-made kingpin's life.
Monument is a manifesto that towers over German hip-hop and will shape the scenery for years to come - an album that serves both as an honest narrative of his life and an unrepentant and poignant defence of it.
Kollegah’s finesse aside, his piquant delivery and effortless flow infuse both the hard-edged songs as well as the smooth, accessible jams with his idiosyncratic, unique style and make “Monument” a masterpiece.
A monument indeed.
My album of the year 2018.
