Sound Bites | Music
Staccato Neukölln

It is the soundtrack to the hit series "4 Blocks": "NB4" by Hasan K. and Gringo. But what does the song tell us, which only consists of fragments of words and allusions?

Setting: Berlin-Neukölln. The video shows images in quick succession and fast cuts: Volkspark Hasenheide, a man with a Kalashnikov tattoo, and a bag filled with large quantities of marijuana. Several times, young, bearded men appear, seemingly of migrant backgrounds – from Turkey, the Middle East, or Southeast Europe. One makes a gang sign with his hand, another counts a large bundle of 50-euro bills. Then we see car rims with the AMG logo, the tuning package of the German car manufacturer Mercedes. The strongly masculine, menacing atmosphere built in the first 30 seconds of the video is reminiscent of the many reports about criminal Arab clans, as often seen on private TV stations.
 

In fact, this is the beginning of the music video for the song NB4 (short for Neukölln Boss 4) by Berlin rap duo Hasan K. & Gringo. Both come from the very same Neukölln that frequently features in the reports mentioned. In their songs, the two rappers address the criminal underworld and what happens in Berlin’s dark side – or at least hint at it on different levels. Sometimes through lyrics, sometimes visually: "Raubmord wegen Kleingeld, 2.000 Euro/Shem Shem fünfter Stock, abgepackt bei Srecko" ("Robbery and murder for small change, 2,000 euros/Shem Shem fifth floor, packed by Srecko"), raps Gringo in NB4. Whether he committed the robbery and murder himself or packed Shem Shem (cocaine) on the fifth floor is unclear. It’s not even clear if he knows the person who did it or if the story is simply made up. Whatever the source of inspiration for this line, it describes a serious crime.

The fascination of underground

Most listeners are certainly not part of the criminal milieu and that is precisely why they want to hear about it. From someone who raps credibly about what is repulsive but equally fascinating. Similar to a tabloid reporter reporting on the crimes committed by criminal organisations.

In crime-obsessed pop culture, songs like NB4 and clan reports offer an unvarnished look at a social world that both shocks and captivates the public – from underprivileged youth to middle-class kids. It’s no coincidence that Gringo appeared on the cover of the culture magazine Das Wetter.

Playing with hints

However, there is a difference between the two narrative genres: while reporters look at the milieu from the outside, rappers narrate from within it - or at least pretend to. There are always rappers in Germany who brag about their criminal offences and prison sentences. Little is known about Hasan K. & Gringo's criminal past. However, NB4's video has it all. Most of it was shot with a VHS camcorder. This makes the video look raw and haunting. Firearms can be seen in several places, in one scene even held by a child. Also: lots of cash, various drugs, men in shisha bars. In an older version, the stolen gold coin from the Bode Museum is also said to have been on display.

The visual message of the two is clear: they are right in the middle of Berlin's underworld and indirectly boast about serious criminal offences committed in their environment. Many questions arise, especially for outsiders: Who are the other men? Where did they get so much cash? And do they know the robbers of the gold coin? Hasan K. & Gringo can hardly absolve themselves of the accusation that these offences are being glorified.

Innovative rhyme scheme

But the song's success is not least due to musical reasons: Gringo’s rap style in the song builds on the momentum set by the video. He strings together individual words, sometimes without clear connections, making them feel like a chain of associations: “Michelangelo sculptures, flannel Moschino, M416 camo commando, purple low rider Pontiac GTO, yellow bubble Kush mango, joint marshmallow jumbo,” raps Gringo. What seems nonsensical at first listen takes on its own aesthetic, as Gringo hits the beat and follows an unconventional but coherent rhyme scheme.

The combination of lyrical and visual shock moments worked for the song NB4. The video has been viewed millions of times on YouTube and was used as the soundtrack for the hit TV series “4 Blocks.” Once again, this peek into the criminal underworld has sparked voyeuristic interest and moments of scandal to be shared and discussed.