He lives for hip-hop: the legendary DJ Tomekk
His talent for creating hits with superstars from a range of different musical genres garnered him multiple golden discs and awards, as well as a considerable amount of money. During the 2000s, while hip-hop was developing into a million-dollar business in Germany, he earned a small fortune. Despite being an exceptional artist, he was also the subject of controversy, however. He made music for advertising campaigns and became one of the first symbols of the commercialisation of German hip-hop, earning him criticism from members of the hip-hop community in Germany who accused him of “selling out.” His increasing problems with alcohol and drug abuse attracted unflattering media attention. The real crisis came in 2008, when a private video emerged showing Tomekk giving a Nazi salute. This led to an onslaught by the tabloid press. Tomekk issued a highly plausible statement, saying that the video had been taken out of context, and that with his migration background and the diverse group of people with whom he was connected, he was by no means a supporter of racist or right-wing ideology. He took one reporter to court for defamation. The trial ended with a settlement, and with a bad hit to Tomekk’s reputation, the effects of which persisted for several years. In 2010, he released his fourth album, “Ehrenkodex” under a Polish label, featuring German and Polish artists. In the years that followed, his alcohol abuse intensified and he suffered several personal setbacks. However, the DJ legend succeeded in overcoming his alcoholism and found his feet again, feeling stronger and fitter. Nowadays, Tomekk, who is in his late 40s, leads a quieter life, although he still DJs regularly on the radio to a large audience, as well as at clubs and festivals all over the world. DJ Tomekk continues doing what he always has: hip hop.
Katarzyna Salski, May 2022
The autobiography “Ich lebe für Hip Hop” by DJ Tomekk was published in 2020 by the Heyne-Verlag.
