History of Xatar in Timeline

Giwar Hajabi, known as Xatar, is a German rapper, producer, and entrepreneur of Kurdish descent. He founded several successful record labels including Alles oder Nix Records. These labels launched the careers of various hip-hop artists. Beyond music, Xatar's entrepreneurial ventures include a fast-food chain (Haval Grill), a hookah lounge (Bar Noon), a tobacco brand (Orijinal), and jewelry and clothing design. He also authored an autobiography titled 'Alles oder Nix'. His knack for turning ventures into successful businesses has earned him the moniker 'The Hype Machine'.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Xatar's Birth

In 1981, Giwar Hajabi, known as Xatar, was born to Kurdish parents in Sanandaj, Iran. His father is the music professor Eghbal Hajabi.

2007: Alles oder Nix Records Founded

In 2007, Xatar founded the label Alles oder Nix Records, which signed a distribution contract with Groove Attack. The first artists he signed were Samy and SSIO.

November 2008: Alles oder Nix Album Release

In November 2008, Xatar's first album, Alles oder nix was released, featuring guest contributions from various artists. Less than a year after its release, Xatar's debut album was indexed by the Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien ("German Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Minors").

2009: Involvement in Gold Transport Robbery

In 2009, Xatar was involved in the robbery of a gold transport truck, stealing €1.7 million with accomplices and fleeing to Iraq. He was later extradited back to Germany.

February 2010: Xatar's Album 'Alles oder Nix' Indexed

In February 2010, Xatar's debut album 'Alles oder Nix' was placed on List A of indexed media in Germany. Seven songs from the album were classified as "youth endangering" due to their violent content and potential to incite violence, presenting violence as a worthy action.

April 2012: Release of Album 'Nr. 415' While Imprisoned

In April 2012, while imprisoned, Xatar released his second album 'Nr. 415', named after his prisoner number. The album reached number 19 in the German album charts, number 23 in Switzerland, and number 52 in Austria.

2012: First Success as an Artist

In 2012, Xatar achieved his first successes as an artist with his second album Nr. 415, entering the top 20 of the album charts. He was presented with the Silver Award for selling more than 20,000 copies of the album.

May 2015: Baba aller Babas Album Release

In May 2015, Xatar's album Baba aller Babas was released and reached number 1 on the German charts and number 3 in Austria and Switzerland.

October 2015: Publication of Autobiography and Founding of Kopfticker Records

On 12 October 2015, Xatar published his autobiography Alles oder Nix: Bei uns sagt man, die Welt gehört dir through riva Verlag. He presented the book at the Frankfurt Book Fair and on stern TV. He also founded Kopfticker Records, a second label for rappers who aren't stylistically suited to Alles oder Nix Records, with Plusmacher as the first artist.

2015: Assessment of Xatar's Beginnings

In 2015, Dennis Sand assessed Xatar's beginnings more critically, describing how the Bonn artist "at that time still quite awkwardly verbalized his half imagined, half real street life on a soundtrack.

2015: Autobiography Published

In 2015, Xatar authored his autobiography titled "Alles oder Nix: Bei uns sagt man, die Welt gehört dir" (All or nothing: We say the world belongs to you). The newspaper Die Zeit called him "The Hype Machine" pointing out that each venture becomes a business.

2015: Commercial Breakthrough with "Baba aller Babas"

In 2015, Xatar experienced a commercial breakthrough with his album "Baba aller Babas", which sold over 70,000 copies and reached number 1 in the German charts. It was awarded Double Silver.

2015: Release of Xatar's autobiography

In 2015, Xatar's autobiography, 'Alles oder Nix: Bei uns sagt man, die Welt gehört dir', received mixed reviews. Some critics praised its narrative and portrayal of contemporary life, while others questioned its credibility and authenticity.

May 2016: Announcement of Joint Album with Haftbefehl

In May 2016, Xatar and Haftbefehl announced their joint album Der Holland Job with a promotion campaign as part of the television show Studio Amani and the subsequent removal of their social media profiles.

August 2016: Arrest Warrant Issued Against Xatar

In August 2016, following an attack in front of Xatar's hookah lounge Bar Noon, the Cologne District Court issued an arrest warrant against Xatar for attempted manslaughter and assault. Xatar surrendered to authorities on August 23, 2016, but the arrest warrant was later lifted.

August 2016: Release of Joint Album 'Der Holland Job'

On 12 August 2016, the collaborative album Der Holland Job by Xatar and Haftbefehl was released by Four Music and reached No. 1 in the charts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

2016: Echo Music Prize Nomination

In 2016, Xatar received a nomination at the Echo Music Prize in the category Best Video National for the music video "Nullkommaneun" by SSIO.

2017: Alles oder Nix Records and Kopfticker Records Releases and Dissolution of Kopfticker Records

In 2017, Alles oder Nix Records and Kopfticker Records released several albums. In November 2017, Xatar dissolved his second label, Kopfticker Records, causing several rappers to lose their contracts. He also announced the founding of the platform PUSH.

January 2018: Sampler Compilation and Acting Roles

In January 2018, Xatar compiled a sampler for the German gangster movie Nur Gott kann ich richten and appeared in the movie Familiye and the ZDFneo-sitcom Blockbustaz.

March 2018: Signing with Universal Music Group

In March 2018, Xatar signed a contract with Universal Music Group for distribution of his label's releases.

2018: Success of Alles oder Nix Records and Groove Attack TraX

In 2018, Schwesta Ewa's debut album Kurwa received the Silver Award. SSIO achieved Double Silver with his albums BB.U.M.SS.N and 0,9. Groove Attack TraX also saw success with Mero's debut single entering German and Austrian charts at number 1.

March 2019: Mero's Album Release and Success

In March 2019, Mero's album Ya Hero Ya Mero was released and reached number 1 in the German charts. Baller los also received gold records in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

March 2019: Mero's Chart Success

In March 2019, Mero's first album Ya Hero Ya Mero climbed to position 1 in German-speaking countries. The German-Kurdish rapper also achieved his first chart positions in the Netherlands and Belgium.

May 2019: Eno's Album Release and Single Success

In May 2019, Eno's album Fuchs was released by Alles oder Nix Records. The single release Ferrari with Mero occupied number 1 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

2019: Hiphop.de Awards Recognition

In 2019, Xatar was honored in the “Maker of the Year” category at the Hiphop.de Awards.

2020: Hiphop.de Awards Recognition

In 2020, Xatar was honored in the “Maker of the Year” category at the Hiphop.de Awards.

2020: Restaurant Business Entry

In the summer of 2020, Xatar entered the restaurant business with Haval Grill, a fast-food bar in Bonn specializing in kofta.

2021: Founding of Goldmann Entertainment and Announcement of Biopic

At the beginning of 2021, Xatar founded the independent label Goldmann Entertainment. It was also announced that Fatih Akin would film the rapper's life under the movie title Rheingold.