While Masuklin colleague Hendrik “Testo” Bolz impressed the Republic with his remarkable book “Null Years”, Grim104 presented his new solo album. And “Imperium” is a gift, not only to German hip-hop: Moritz Anton Wilken (Grim: “Hate it when Journos call me that / because I hardly know myself”) takes the listener deep into his personal life world that was previously quite unknown, but at the same time seems very close. Maybe a little too close! In any case, in his inimitable, touching poetry, the master storyteller quarrels with both the close and the unknown. And that’s the central theme: transience runs through every song. Ourselves, those of the people we love and the world in general. The pithy, experimental beats let “Imperium” rule out for the happy Sunday brunch, but go damn deep into the head and soul.
The first single of the album was a convincing, accessible treat: In “Numb” Grim104 creates a gentle mood together with LGoony in order to connect it in the lyrics with symptoms of depression and the desire for just a few relaxing moments. “Komm und Sieh” is a great, fresh perspective on history, using richly illustrated language, spanning a sticky thread from the empire to the present. In a song lyrics! Just like in “Das Versprechen”, a song about domestic violence, it shows that Grim104 remains true to its political claim, even if the new lyrics may be less radical than in the days of “May 2” and “I kill Anders Breivik “. And with “Ü30 Men in the Club” (with Kaiii) he even shows a great sense of humor.
Our annual charts were put together by the music critics of the “Freie Presse”. You can find all previous placements HERE.
www.freiepresse.de/alben22