Drawing on the water pipe, Mr. Chpakov (pronounced SHPA-kov) explained that he is not, technically, a German rapper. Twenty-five years later, Mr. Chpakov remains a Ukrainian citizen. I learned as a kid my mother is Jewish, my grandmother is Jewish, my great-grandmother was Jewish — I’m Jewish by blood. By 2011, he had built up a modest career as a rapper and producer — until fans turned on him for being too dance-club friendly. His videos were a sensation among young rap fans, and a 2015 album, “The Planktonweed Tapes,” briefly topped the German charts.

Source: New York Times May 11, 2018 12:33 UTC