Hamburg has never been over-hyped like other cities, but always been an insider tip for the kind of people who like to do stuff in their own unique way, and are unimpressed by what the mainstream proclaims as cool. This may be one of the reasons why the city has quietly become the hotspot for Memphis Rap and Phonk parties that it is today. In any case, the foundations were laid early on, with acts such as SpaceGhostPurrp, Yung Simmie, Nxxxxxs & Yung Lean playing at the Daaamn Son parties as early as 2014. Phonkycool, who as a DJ, organizer and introverted internet lover has always had a special feel for musical trends, was largely responsible for these bookings. AlphaMob, the producer and DJ, who rediscovered his love for the good old Memphis sound after almost fifteen years in the House and Electro scene, eventually became a partner in crime and Nite Of The Trill was born. The legendary event celebrated its debut in 2015 at Kraniche bei den Elbbrücken. The underground club, located in an industrial area near a highway, where a hedonistic lifestyle beyond dogmas and clichés was a must, provided the perfect breeding ground for a phenomenon that nobody could have guessed at the time how big it would become. It didn't take long for fans of the genre, which until then had mainly only existed on the internet, to realize that "their" music was actually being played in real clubs. The euphoria carried through the endless nights, and the vibe was simply incredible when the crowd tore up the dance floor in a mosh pit. If Kraniche was the perfect place to start, Golem was NOTT’s new home from 2016 till 2018. Here, behind a secret door in the bookshelf of a cocktail bar, you entered the crypt, where artists such as Soudiere, El G and local heroes such as Caramelo, Skinny Finsta and Haiyti provided unforgettable events. The provisional highlight of this era was undoubtedly 2018, when the NOTT organizers brought DJ Smokey to Hamburg and the Fusion Festival, Yung Vamp was in town and the $uicideboy$, supported by Phonkycool & AlphaMob, played at Uebel & Gefährlich, parallel to the events, the scene developed steadily and while AlphaMob released his album Swaffle Phonk in 2017, up-and-coming producers such as Lord Sesshomaru, SorryMane666, Cizzvrp, Macksta C and many more were already in the starting blocks and soon celebrated international collaborations with artists such as Roland Jones, Always Propper & Lil Rocketman. During Corona, the Ausruf Zine was also created - probably the world's first magazine on Memphis Rap & Phonk. Tape labels like Real Junts Of The North, Land Of Da Ocean and Macktapes, crews like Hackfleisch Vegan, Stay Hydrated (Phonky Phriday) and Funk im Trunk (Texas Tea Time) or the posse around the Chains Club, as well as no less than four! female! Phonk DJs have given and continue to give new and strong impulses that make Hamburg what it is: a truly unique phonk phenomenon!

 

Shout Out: Hafenklang, Uebel&Gefährlich, Frappant, Kraniche bei den Elbbrücken (Rip), Pudel, Wasserbassin, Golem (Rip), Chains (Rip) + to all our friends worldwide - see you soon!

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-> Hamphis Spotify playlist

-> Hamphis Soundcloud playlist

 

Written by Janny Malagia.