BRAND NEW EPISODES, FILMED IN BERLIN AND HOSTED BY DJ MAXXX, CONTINUE CHARLIE SLOTH’S FIRE IN THE BOOTH GLOBAL EXPANSION

WATCH THE SERIES TRAILER HERE

THE FIRST EPISODE WILL FEATURE GERMAN RAP STAR SUMMER CEM

Apple Music is taking Charlie Sloth’s iconic freestyle platform (1.4 billion+ views), Fire in the Booth, to Germany for the very first time.    

From May 16th 2022, the legendary rap show will launch on Apple Music in Germany presented by DJ Maxxx as part of Apple Music’s HYPED playlist and Hip-Hop brand - marking one of the first ever times a freestyle platform has launched outside of its native language.

The expansion of the series will provide an incredible platform for German Rap talent, with household names and future stars recording exclusive freestyles inside Apple Music’s newly launched studio in Berlin. The German series continues Fire in the Booth’s recent global tour which has seen Charlie record freestyles in Dubai, Jamaica and the USA.

The German freestyles will drop fortnightly and fans of Fire in the Booth will instantly recognise the platform’s trademark red studio, explosive sound effects and the high energy performances that have made the platform so popular. 

‘HYPED Presents Fire in the Booth Germany’ will begin with a freestyle from one of the country’s biggest rappers - Summer Cem. The launch of Fire in the Booth on Apple Music in Germany comes at an important time for the Hip-Hop scene - over the last two years German Hip-Hop (known as “Deutschrap”) has become a chart-dominating force, regularly occupying over half of Germany’s Top 10 hits. With a strong musical history dating back to the early ’90s, the genre has grown from its once underground scene into the biggest musical export in the country.

Speaking on the launch, Charlie said: “I’m super excited that the Fire in the Booth brand is launching in Germany. There is so much talent in Germany right now and it will give the artist community a platform to showcase their skills to the world. I feel that DJ Maxxx is the right person to bring that authenticity as the host.”

DJ Maxxx says: "I’ve been following Fire in the Booth for years and have always been a big fan. Charlie is Charlie and that’s what’s special about him. He’s a true host and hype man. The German scene has blown up over the years, it’s known all over the world now and has become big business. That’s great but it often shifts the focus from music on to other things. Fire in the Booth is putting the focus back on something really important for the culture. Getting back to the essence of Rap. One Mic."

Summer Cem says: “Fire in the Booth is finally coming to Germany and I am thrilled to be the first artist setting the booth on fire, representing Scorpion Gang in the wider freestyle rap arena that Charlie Sloth built. The extinguishing work is still happening after the lyrical bomb I dropped. It may be hard to follow after the freestyle bar I just raised. Literally.”

Charlie has previously released three German Fire in the Booth performances – Luciano (May 2020), Aisha Vibes (Oct 2020) and Kelvyn Colt (Jan 2021) on Apple Music. Charlie also collaborated with Kelvyn Colt on his own music release and is one of the first artists to combine a UK, US and German MC on the same track (‘Get it’ featuring Kelvyn Colt, Abra Cadabara and Gunna).

Hand-picked by Charlie as the new face of ‘HYPED Presents Fire in the Booth Germany’ is DJ Maxxx - a proud ambassador and key influencer within the German Rap scene. Host to some of Berlin's biggest Hip-Hop nights (including his famous party series at 808 Club), Maxxx is also the tour DJ/support rapper for Haftbefehl and Ufo. Maxxx’s reputation, trust and knowledge of the Hip-Hop scene was key for Charlie to ensure the new platform showcases the most authentic and credible roster of artists that Germany has to offer.

Apple Music’s ‘HYPED’ brand has established itself as the place ‘where Hip-Hop is lived, loved and celebrated’ and will provide the natural home for Fire in the Booth, with each freestyle also showcased on the ‘HYPED’ Deutschrap radio show. Presented by German rap tastemaker Aria Nejati (Wednesdays), the show will also include an accompanying interview with each of the participating Fire in the Booth artists.

‘HYPED Presents Fire in the Booth Germany’ will be available on Apple Music via its own dedicated audio and video playlist with a new freestyle released fortnightly. Fire in the Booth is renowned for championing emerging and established talent from around the globe, having featured the likes of Drake, Giggs, Lil Baby, Stormzy, Pop Smoke, Wretch 32 and Megan Thee Stallion in the past.