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The Cologne public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing. Officials confirmed that “no external signs of violence were found,” but an autopsy has been conducted to determine further details.
Giwar Hajabi, better known by his stage name Xatar, a pioneering Kurdish rapper who rose to stardom in Germany’s hip-hop scene, has passed away at the age of 43. His death was confirmed on Wednesday, sending shockwaves across music communities in both Germany and the Kurdish diaspora.
According to German tabloid Bild, Xatar died in the city of Cologne, while other local reports have claimed that he passed away in Berlin. The exact cause of death has not been made public.
The Cologne public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing. Officials confirmed that “no external signs of violence were found,” but an autopsy has been conducted to determine further details. Authorities are also examining whether there was any third-party negligence involved.
Tributes Pour In Across Germany and Beyond
Xatar’s death was first made public by fellow rapper Farid Bang, who shared a tribute on Instagram. Marina Buzunashvilli, the rapper’s former promoter, also posted a heartfelt message on Instagram Stories, writing, “Until we meet again,” alongside a photo of the two.
Fans and artists across the German hip-hop community have been paying tribute to Xatar’s profound influence. Popular YouTuber I Am Haks took to X stating: “Sad news. Ruhe in Frieden Xatar. The first Kurdish German rapper I came across. He represented the flag, the identity, and he brought many others through. Your legacy will live on.”
From Exile to Icon: The Journey of Xatar
Born in Iran to Kurdish parents, Xatar and his family fled Saddam Hussein’s regime, first seeking refuge in Iraq before eventually settling in Germany. His upbringing as a refugee shaped much of his lyrical voice and identity, and he would go on to become a cultural icon for both Kurdish and German youth.
His 2015 album Baba aller Babas topped the German charts, cementing his status as a heavyweight in the rap industry. Over the course of his career, Xatar released six studio albums, with his final work Hrrr debuting in 2021.
Beyond his music, Xatar was instrumental in shaping the German hip-hop scene through the founding of several influential labels including Alles oder Nix Records, Kopfticker Records, Groove Attack TraX, and Goldmann Entertainment. His labels helped launch and support the careers of numerous artists.
His life story was later adapted into the 2022 biographical film Rheingold, directed by Fatih Akin, in which actor Emilio Sakraya portrayed the rapper.
With his death, the Kurdish and German communities mourn not only a musical trailblazer, but also a voice that transcended borders, hardships, and stigma—leaving behind a legacy rooted in resilience, authenticity, and cultural pride.