Kontra K: The rapper likes "animals better than people"

Rapper Kontra K is one of the most successful rappers in Germany. In an interview, he reveals why he is committed to animals.

The Berlin hip-hop artist Kontra K (38, "Gute Nacht") is one of the most successful rappers in the country. His albums have been number one in the German charts since 2016. On September 25th, his new trick will be released with "Vollmond". The double album features both solo songs and features with the greats of the German rap scene. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Kontra K talks about the hype surrounding rapper Apache 207 (22, "Roller"), his love for animals and tells what he had to sacrifice for his success.

Your new album is entitled "Vollmond". Are you a lone wolf?

Cons: Wolves are rarely lonely. But yeah, I see myself as a wolf. I don't perform in the circus like many other lions out there. I also have a small and very close circle of people around me, so I like to associate with it.

"Blow them away" is about leaving everything negative behind. Is it always easy for you?

Cons: Not at all. Just as little as finishing things. In the song I mainly speak to myself – I treat myself with the music. But at some point you have to start and over time it becomes easier and easier to leave things behind. You can see faster and better what is good for you – or not. I try to leave all bad energies behind.

In the video for "Blow Them Away" you are sitting across from cobras. Were they real?

Kontra K: Yes, they were real. I am very good at handling dangerous animals. You can face me with a big tiger and I know how to act. But if I face a duck, a swan or a cobra, it sucks for me. Because with these animals you cannot directly see what they are thinking. We shot the scene in a rescue center in India and the fact was that there was no antidote. Or just a few kilometers away. As you can see in the video, the cobra's mouth was not taped shut. The fangs weren't pulled either.

At some point I totally forgot how dangerous the snakes are and played around with them. Until it occurred to me that if one bites me, I could be dead in 20 minutes. But it all worked out and looked great. And of course there was also money for the rescue station.

Speaking of wild animals: How is your tiger Elsa?

Kontra K: Very good, it's her birthday now. I will probably give her a large cuddly toy – which will probably not last long. Although she still has my first cuddly toy. She didn't kill that and carries it around with her now and then. At the moment I'm also working on a new enclosure, which unfortunately has been a year and a half in coming. Everything is postponed due to building permits and Corona.

You also like to show yourself off with predators on Instagram. Where does it come from?

Contra K: I like animals much more than people. And, if I have the chance to work somewhere where you can help animals, then I am happy about it. Once in contact with the wildlife industry and rescue centers, you will always find new projects. And people are happy about it. I help where I can and I really enjoy it.

"So much of what you love is sacrificed for success," says the song "Tiefschwarz". Did you have to sacrifice something for your success?

Contra K: Everyone has to sacrifice something. Everything you get brings something with it. That is the flow of energy in life. Sure, you sacrifice a lot for success. You sacrifice your privacy, maybe some relationships. But also friendships that you might not have lost had it not been for such a status or large amounts of money. But that can always happen. You start a job in another city and find that your best friends have stopped calling. Everything has an impact. Success and money is a filter for a lot – it also brings out character traits of people.

Nine albums in ten years – you are apparently a very busy man. Doesn't everything get too much for you at some point?

Contra K: I'm a restless spirit and just can't downshift. I also have to box with my boys and encourage people. I have opened so many doors through my music and I can support young people who have no resources. I haven't burned out yet. I feel like going to concerts, I like my fans and my music. I like the way it goes and that's what brought me here too.

More and more rappers like Apache 207 are appearing and storming the charts. Why do you think German rappers are so successful right now?

Against K: There will be some formula for it. But I don't know. The fact is, Apache 207 makes great music. He's a good product and a good artist. You like to watch and listen to it, the songs are very consistent. But how this huge success came about, only he and his manager know. There is a lot of hype going on right now and there is always something like that. The question is how long does it last? Thank goodness I'm not such a hype artist.

But I'm happy when something like this happens again. Because that means that the industry is alive. And when an artist has such a great success, it shows that we are far from finished. I'm sure the next generation will hear rap too. I hate to say that because I'm a rock fan myself, but we're the new rock and roll.

You won't go on tour again until 2021. Do you miss being on stage?

Contra K: Yes, totally. My moments are on the stage. I convince people who don't like me or don't know me at the festivals. I love to be on stage. That's what I do best. I miss that extremely. I got a decent valve. This year I'm just fighting my way through.

SpotOnNews