Renowned rapper Xatar has passed away. The musician, whose real name was Giwar Hajabi, was discovered deceased on Thursday in a Cologne apartment, according to a spokesperson from the Cologne public prosecutor’s office. He was 43 years old.
Investigation Underway
The public prosecutor’s office has initiated a death investigation procedure to determine whether there are indications of „criminally relevant external culpability“ in the rapper’s death. An autopsy has been conducted for this purpose. The prosecutor’s office stated that „no signs of external violence were found“; however, investigations are ongoing.
Background
The musician, born in Iran to a famous composer and conductor and a musician, was considered one of the most influential yet controversial figures in the German rap scene. His albums often topped the charts, but he also had numerous legal issues.
He gained notoriety for a dramatic gold heist in 2009, where he and his accomplices attacked a gold transporter, stealing jewelry and dental gold, according to the prosecutor’s office. After the heist, he was caught and sentenced to prison, but he managed to launch a music career from behind bars.
In addition to his music career, Xatar was also an ambitious businessman. He earned income from the jewelry business, owned a döner kebab shop, and operated a shisha bar.