| Torch | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Frederik Hahn |
| Also known as | Torchmann, Torchkinski, DJ Haitian Star |
| Born | September 29 1971 |
| Origin |  Heidelberg, Germany |
| Genre(s) | German hip hop, Hip hop, Rap |
| Years active | 1980s-present |
| Associated acts |
Advanced Chemistry |
| Website | www.mctorch.de |
Frederik Hahn (born September 29, 1971 in Heidelberg), better known by his stage name Torch, is a German rapper with Haitian roots. He was among the first German rappers who began rapping in German in the mid-1980s in Heidelberg, laying the foundation for the success of German hip hop music. In 1985, Afrika Bambaata named him king of the first German chapter of the Zulu Nation and also gave him the title: Overlord of Sound & Culture. In 1987, Torch founded the group Advanced Chemistry with Toni L, Linguist, Gee-One and DJ Mike MD. In 1992, the song Fremd im eigenen Land ("Stranger in one's own country") became the group's first hit. Primarily due to exposure on the cable television network MTV, the song garnered attention outside of Germany's hip hop scene, which was still quite small at the time. Torch's first (and so far only) solo-album was Blauer Samt ("Blue Velvet), released in 2000. Till these days he is one of the most famous hip hop celebrities in Europe. He performed in more than 1500 Shows in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, CZ, SK, Italy, Belgium, NL, and the USA. He worked with international artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Freestyle (Ex-Arsonists), Grandmaster Caz (Cold Crush Bros), Jurassic 5, KRS1 (BDP), Melle Mel, Missing Linx (Al Tariq-Ex Beatnuts), Whipper Whip & Virtuoso (Boston). He is also travelling the World as DJ Haitian Star where he has performed at the Battle of the Year (Germany), Jazz Festival Montreux (Switzerland), Hip Hop Kemp (Chech Republik), Zulu Anniversary (NY/USA),... He shared the decks with DJs like: Z-Trip (US), David Rodigan (UK), Grandmaster Flash (US), Kool Herc (US), Tee (Japan), Supreme/Hijack (UK), Defcut (CH), Stylewarz (D), Marc Hype (D),... He actually lives in Zürich & Berlin. He speaks 5 Languages incl. German, Swiss German, English, French & Haitian creole. His uncle is the famous Haitian Poet Georges Castera.
Discography
(Solo records)
- 2000 - "Gewalt oder Sex" ("Violence or sex", 12" & MCD, V2-Records)
- 2000 - Blauer Samt ("Blue velvet", 2xLP & CD, V2-Records)
- 2000 - "Die Welt brennt/Wir waren mal Stars" ("The world is burning/We were stars", 2x12", V2-Records)
- 2001 - "Die Welt brennt/Wir waren mal Stars (Remixe)" (12", 360°-Records)
- 2001 - "In deinen Armen" ("In your arms", 2x12" & CD)
- 2001 - Blauer Samt (Instrumentals) (2xLP, 360rec)
- 2005 - "Move the Crowd" (Grandmaster Caz & DJ Haitian Star, 12", 360° Records, limited to 360 pieces)
