Notorious for his allegedly misogynistic, homophobic and nationalistic lyrics, pioneering German gangsta rapper Bushido is one of his country’s most influential and controversial lyricists.
• Bushido was born in West Germany to a Tunisian father and a German mother.
• In his teens, Bushido, a mischievous high school dropout, was found guilty of drug possession and mandated to complete a painting apprenticeship.
• During the apprenticeship, he befriended rapper Fler. The pair delivered their seminal Carlo, Cokxxx, Nutten in 2002.
• Bushido cracked the German Charts with his 2003 Vom Bordstein bis zur Skyline, a staple of German gangsta rap.
• His 2004 album Electro Ghetto hit No. 6 on the German Charts and stayed in the top 100 for 16 weeks.
• The rapper’s 2007 album 7 became his first German chart-topper. As of 2021, he’d scored nine more No. 1 albums in Germany, including 2013’s Sonny Black, named for the pseudonym he often uses.
• Bushido released his self-titled autobiography in 2008. Two years later, he starred as himself in the bestselling book’s movie adaptation, Zeiten ändern dich.
• Performing as Berlins Most Wanted, Bushido, King Orgasmus One, Bass Sultan Hengzt, Kay One and Fler released their eponymous debut album in 2008.
• In 2013, Berlin’s openly gay mayor Klaus Wowereit filed a legal complaint against Bushido over the song and music video for “Stress Without Cause”. Wowereit charged Bushido with promoting violence and homophobia.
Hometown
West Berlin, Germany
Genre
Hip-Hop/Rap
Bushido: Member of
Bushido is also a member of, or has been a member of the following groups