Die Fantastischen Vier

Formed in Stuttgart in the late 1980s, Die Fantastischen Vier were part of the emergence of German‑language hip hop, with a stable core comprising Smudo, Thomas D, Michi Beck and And.Ypsilon. From the start the group developed a direct, articulate rap style that combined humour, everyday stories and wordplay over productions influenced by funk, pop and electronic music. After their debut album 'Jetzt geht’s ab!' (1991), Die Fantastischen Vier attracted attention across the German‑speaking world with '4 gewinnt' (1992), and followed with 'Die 4. Dimension' (1993) and 'Lauschgift' (1995), asserting a denser sound and more introspective writing. The creation of their label Four Music in 1996 accompanied this shift toward greater artistic autonomy and regular collaboration with live musicians. '4:99' (1999), 'Viel' (2004), 'Fornika' (2007) and 'Für dich immer noch Fanta Sie' (2010) extended this blend of rap, melodic choruses and pop‑oriented arrangements, while 'Rekord' (2014) and 'Captain Fantastic' (2018) confirmed Die Fantastischen Vier's place on major festival stages and on tour in German‑speaking countries. Alternating studio recordings, acoustic formats and members' side projects, Die Fantastischen Vier remain associated with an approach to hip hop centred on the German language and with constant interaction with audiences at concerts.