For German language learners, Alligatoah may well be an appealing musician. It’s difficult to label the solo artist more specifically with a single title. He raps and he sings. He’s hip hop and he’s indie. He’s very poppy. Fans of Kraftklub might want to take notice and give Alligatoah a listen. And this month, we’ll all give him a chance. Let’s practice German with the music of Alligatoah and get to know this unique artist better!
After last month’s German music feature of VSK with some old school hip hop, this month let’s practice German with some modern rap by way of the duo Audio88 & Yassin. The Berlin-based pair may already be familiar to fans of KIZ, as they made an appearance on the trio’s stellar last album (Hurra die Welt geht unter). And the favor has been returned. This month, let’s get a taste for a different flavor of German hip hop with the music of Audio88 & Yassin!
This month we’re going old school to learn German with the rap stylings of Das Verbale Style Kollektiv. Dust off your boombox, your turntable, and maybe grab a piece of cardboard for breakdancing! The group swears off popular trends and styles in order to return to the roots of hip hop. The sounds that, undoubtedly, made them fall in love with rap in the first place. 2018 saw Verbales Style Kollektiv release their debut record, Wo die wilden Kerle flowen. So this month, let’s learn German with the music of Das Verbale Style Kollektiv!
Often, bands with a female frontwoman receive attention for all the wrong reasons: but not so with Silbermond. The longtime German pop rock quartet have made a name for themselves with a sound that is power pop but not without an edge. It’s a formula that has made Silbermond a favorite among German speakers. So this month, let’s practice German with the music of Silbermond!
For German indie pop band Die Höchste Eisenbahn less is more. The band is strategic with their carefully crafted melodies. In a world where more is more and we’re constantly being inundated with ever greater and more self-indulgent ideas, Die Höchste Eisenbahn is the antithesis. German language learners will find their clear, precise music ideal for practicing listening skills. So this month, let’s practice the German language with the extremely likable music of Die Höchste Eisenbahn.
If you’re into rock and punk then you should look no further than one of Germany’s popular and current bands, Feine Sahne Fischfilet. These days, rock and punk are (sadly) not at the top of the charts, no matter where you look in the world. But Feine Sahne Fischfilet’s punk and ska sound is cool, fun and modern. So this month, let’s get our pulses racing, our fists pumping in the air and learn German with the music of Feine Sahne Fischfilet.
After last month’s focus on Austrian Volks-Rock’n’Roller Andreas Gabalier, I thought we’d keep the Schlager vibe going. This month let’s learn German with the music of Helene Fischer. With her blending of pop music and Schlager, Fischer is Germany’s biggest artist, best-selling singer and the most downloaded German artist of all-time.
If my previous posts featuring German musicians in the rock, punk and rap arenas didn’t speak to you, then maybe the music of Andreas Gabalier will be more your speed. For the last decade, Andreas Gabalier has been topping the music charts in Germany and in his native Austria with his modern pop take on folk music by infusing it with youth and a rock ‘n’ roll attitude. He is pure showmanship. So this month, let’s get to know Andreas Gabalier and practice the German language with music!
The classics are always in style. Nowhere is that more true than in music. A good song is timeless, whether it’s classical symphonies or rock tunes that get your toes tapping. This month to learn and practice German with music, I’m featuring a classic German rock musician: Marius Müller-Westernhagen. From his roots in the 1970s to a 2016 MTV Unplugged album, Müller-Westernhagen is a musician that you simply can’t pin down.
If you thought the riches of Munich, Germany are to be found in a Biergarten then you haven’t yet visited the city’s Treasury or Schatzkammer. The city’s gold isn’t just in liquid form! Housed in downtown Munich within the walls of the massive Munich Residenz compound, you can find priceless items that belonged to the kings and queens of Bavaria. These artful objects range from incredible jewels to masterfully crafted pieces.