OK, we’ve got some rappers in Germany that are quite good, though it seems that some of them need to don their rap uniforms first before they say anything in public. Dean Dawson and Harris can do without this kind of disguise.
Sure, there are lots of talented rappers out there. But how many of them have skills AND charms?
Right, some rappers have made themselves a name outside the rap world. But how many rap acts are that popular that it’s enough to drop three letters to make it clear to everybody who’s in the house? Who, except the Spezializtz, has contributed a whole lexicon of new expressions to German rap which have long since become catchphrases?
The Spezializtz aka Harris and Dean Dawson have two albums under their belts (cryptically named „G.B.Z.OHOLIKA“ and „G.B.Z. OHOLIKA II“). One came out on the major label Columbia making them one of the first German rap acts with a major deal and one on the über-rap label Def Jam. And though they’re still waiting for their major breakthrough, you can’t imagine the German rap scene without them. Their video for their 1998 single “Afrocalypse” (feat. Afrob) was the first German-language rap video from Berlin that rotated on MTV. They’ve smoothed the way for the armada of Berlin rappers that succeeded them. Harris’ favourite fellow rapper Sido has even expressed the wish to “hear the Spezializtz in Heaven”. Not to mention their live qualities. Can anyone ever forget their legendary performance on the main stage of 2001’s Splash! festival? The only thing that the Spezializtz failed to deliver in the past years was a new record. The waiting is over now. The G.B.Z. Empire strikes back with (surprise!) “G.B.Z. OHOLIKA III“, seven years after the release of part two. Don’t say comeback! They haven’t been away. They didn’t need to go to the Dagobah system to sharpen their skills. Other activities kept them in shape.
Dean Dawson launched the company Streetlife Entertainment with Montana Beats & Ademola Okulaja where he released his solo album “Streetlife Report” and the maxi singles “Hip Hop Music” and “Streetlife” feat. DMX. And he practised his hobby: motor biking. Berlin burn out style. And just like his partner Harris, he’s a proud father of two children. Harris worked as a DJ under the moniker DJ BinIchNich with G.B.Z. Babbasoundz and released a bunch of maxi singles including “Schöne Menschen”. Moreover, he released “Dein Lieblingsalbum” as Deine Lieblingsrapper with Sido on Aggro Berlin. Harris aka BinIchNich also tried his talent as a radio presenter with DJ Desue on the Aggro Radio Show. Not to forget his 2002 sampler “G.B.Z. Connectz” where he (re)united some of the country’s most respected rap heavyweights, completely independent from any major label support. Rap Germany loves the Spezializtz. The notion of beef is completely unknown to them, they’d rather party.
And today? “We’re completely chilled,“ says Harris. “Meaning, we’re on stand-by, not that we’re getting soft or anything,” Dean adds. And they still got their Berlin snottiness, though they’re playing it a bit cooler in the future. “Depends on the company you’re in, sometimes less is more, you know”, says Harris. They’ve grown up, obviously. “G.B.Z. OHOLIKA III“ will neither be released through Dean Dawson’s label Streetlife Entertainment nor through Aggro Berlin, where Harris has found a second home, but through Four Music, a label with which the Spezializtz have been closely connected for years.
Nothing can stop the G.B.Z. Empire. Beats by MONTANA BEATS, BOCK AUF´N BEAT, BEATGEES, BEATHOAVENZ, L9, 361 MUSIX, RAMON & OMAR provide the perfect backdrop for the Spezializtz. And when you think that Harris and Dean Dawson alone are not enough, no problem. They’ve also got a lot of features, including AFROB, SAMY DELUXE, XAVIER NAIDOO, D-FLAME, GENTLEMAN, AZAD & SIDO. TIGHT ALTA!
SPEZIALIZTZ - DATES
SPEZIALIZTZ
Currently not on tour
SPEZIALIZTZ - PHOTOS
Great song, great guy:
Four Music proudly presents
Rafael Weber - Es tut mir leid
