Basstard - Nima

"NIMA" by Basstard is a raw reaffirmation of the codes of extreme German rap, released on May 23, 2025, under the SCHANDE! label. Following Meister der Zeremonie (2015), this 55-minute and 42-second opus, consisting of 15 tracks, re-establishes continuity with the genre's roots. The opening track, "4 IMMER RAPDÄMON," immediately sets the tone, serving as a manifesto for a return to the basics without compromise.

A redefined warrior alliance through Jina's Stimme

The album builds its narrative tension around reinvented confrontations. On "KRIEG GEGEN GOTT," track 8, Basstard invites Jina's Stimme to transform the track into a vocal duel, where the female voice brings a new dimension to the confrontation. This presence is not just about adding syllables; it redefines the balance of power in a track that opposes opposing ideologies or entities, creating an immediate contrast with the traditional male rap flow that dominates this genre.

Expanding into Eastern voices on ZAHHAK

The album expands its geographical and cultural horizons. Track 9, "ZAHHAK", exemplifies this ambition with a confirmed double appearance by Faravaz and Justina. This two-person collaboration introduces distinct Eastern sounds into the production, transforming the track into a space of encounter between multiple sonic universes rather than a simple verse exchange. The contribution of these two artists to this track goes beyond the usual conventions of the genre.

A bridge to 2000 sealed by Mach One

The album also connects with its own distant past. On "STADT DER VERLORENEN", track 11, Basstard calls upon Mach One to create a direct link to the year 2000. This collaboration explicitly recalls the title "Nacht der Angst" from Rap Dämon (2000), where the two artists had already worked together. The presence of Mach One here seals a historical link with Basstard's previous album, creating a temporal loop that connects the 2025 project to the beginnings of extreme German rap.

"NIMA" is characterized by a massive collaborative effort that peaks in the final third of the album. Track 12, "DEMONS," features Juju, adding another layer to the album's dark narrative. However, it is on track 13, "AUF EWIG," that this communal structure reaches its peak, with a confirmed triple presence: MXP, Tamas, and G-Ko. This accumulation of distinct voices forms a polyphonic choir, giving the album a unique collective dimension, transforming the track into a space of gathering where multiple artists build a shared vision together.

NIMA: the conclusion that validates the return

Following this accumulation of collaborations and stylistic expansions, the album concludes with track 15, "NIMA". This closing track validates the project as a whole, completing the cycle of a studio album that follows Meister der Zeremonie (2015). The final position of this track in the numbered tracklist, up to 15, gives the album a circular structure, with the opening by "4 IMMER RAPDÄMON" and the closing by "NIMA" framing a journey that alternates between confrontation, historical expansion, and community density. With 15 tracks totaling 55 minutes and 42 seconds, "NIMA" offers an average of 3 minutes and 40 seconds per track, allowing each collaboration to be treated with care without the album becoming monotonous. The tracklist confirms a strategy of maximum density: out of the fifteen tracks that make up the album, only five include guest appearances, creating a calculated balance between solo introspection and collective power. This careful selection places the album far beyond a simple collection of collaborations, transforming each contribution into an essential link in a coherent narrative that alternates between ideological confrontation and cultural expansion, without ever sacrificing the initial narrative tension. Basstard's return to SCHANDE! confirms that it is not simply about nostalgia, but about an active reaffirmation of the genre's codes, enriched by strategic alliances that span decades and cultures.

Technical specifications

- Release date : May 23, 2025 - Label : SCHANDE! - Tracks : 15 (55 minutes 42 seconds) - Opening / closing : 4 IMMER RAPDÄMON / NIMA - Guests : Jina’s Stimme, Faravaz, Justina, Mach One, Juju, MXP, Tamas, G-Ko - Previous album : Rap Dämon (2015)