King cover

King

Kollegah · 2014

141 min · 21 tracks · hip-hop

A fierce blend of German rap braggadocio and intricate wordplay that commands attention with its ambitious production.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Alpha Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    King — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of power and ambition, featuring intricate flows and sharp wordplay that define Kollegah's style.
  • →
    Schwarzer Benz — This track stands out with its catchy hook and vivid storytelling, painting a picture of luxury and success that resonates throughout the album.
  • →
    Cohibas, blauer Dunst — With its luxurious imagery and confident delivery, this song exemplifies Kollegah's ability to mix bravado with clever wordplay, making it a highlight.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyrical complexity and energetic production but lacks some cohesion in its lengthy tracklist.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of heavy bass and fast-paced beats, with many tracks maintaining a high energy level throughout.
  • Lyrically, Kollegah employs complex rhyme schemes and multi-syllabic wordplay, often layering verses with intricate internal rhymes.
  • Several tracks incorporate recurring motifs or themes, such as power and success, which are emphasized through repeated phrases and hooks.
  • The sequencing includes interludes that serve to break up the flow, allowing for brief moments of reflection before returning to the high-energy tracks.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • long, immersive listening sessions
  • steady, consistent energy levels
  • immediate hooks and energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Debuted at number one, solidifying Kollegah's prominence in German rap.
Themes
luxurious lifestyle· German rap dominance· braggadocious storytelling
Career context
When 'King' was released in 2014, Kollegah was already a prominent figure in the German hip-hop scene, following his breakthrough album 'Zuhältertape' series. This album marked a significant moment in his career as it solidified his status as a leading artist in the genre and showcased his lyrical prowess and unique style, building on the momentum of previous successes.
Stylistic neighbors
Farid Bang· Sido· Bushido

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Alpha Start here 2:22
  • 2 King 3:31
  • 3 Flightmode 3:28
  • 4 R.I.P. 3:25
  • 5 Cohibas, blauer Dunst 3:25
  • 6 AKs im Wandschrank 3:03
  • 7 Morgengrauen 3:20
  • 8 Sanduhr 3:21
  • 9 Du bist Boss 2:44
  • 10 Universalgenie 4:40
  • 11 Lamborghini Kickdown 2:46
  • 12 Karate 3:16
  • 13 Schwarzer Benz 4:30
  • 14 Rolex Daytona 3:48
  • 15 Warum hasst Du mich 3:04
  • 16 Königsaura 7:29
  • 17 Es ist Rap 3:00
  • 18 Click Click 3:35
  • 19 Regen 3:36
  • 20 Omega 6:59

Disc 2

  • 1 King 1:05:40

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata