Deluxe Crossover

Samy Deluxe is not only successful, having sold over one million albums, he also has a voice that resonates with young people, especially between the ages of 15 and 20.

This hip-hop idol also has a talent for bringing politics and social engagement to the attention of an otherwise disinterested generation through his songs. Messages like "I have a chance to make something of myself” and "There is a lot we can do to fight off boredom" permeate his lyrics.

Deluxe was not always so socially-minded. He began his career as a rapper surrounding himself with the usual luxurious cars and beautiful women. At that time his rhymes generally concentrated on sex, drugs and his own magnificence.

Since then, Deluxe has successfully transformed himself into a hip-hop artist known for his contemplative lyrics. Today his music showcases his thoughts on things like national identity, the condition of the German social state and the importance of giving today's youth better opportunities.

On his new CD "Dis wo ich herkomm" (This Is Where I Come From), Samy Deluxe croons to soft reggae beats:

This is our Germany
This is your Germany
This is the land where we live
This is the new Germany…

A change in tone

Deluxe is considered one of the most successful German rappers ever, and he is well aware of his influence on young adults. The change of tone in his music reflects this awareness. "The concept for this album was to give people courage and to spur them to think critically about their lives and their surroundings," the hip-hop artist explained.

Born Samuel Sorge, the son of a Sudanese father and German mother, Deluxe grew up in Hamburg, where he was exposed at an early age to social exclusion and ghettoization. Early in his life he was forced to develop strategies to overcome such barriers.

Growing up in a mostly white area, Deluxe was keenly aware of his difference from his friends and neighbors. He consequently surrounded himself with other black German friends, hoping to discover his African roots.

In school he also had many Turkish and Croatian friends and he later went to the United States. "I've come to know many cultures and I feel comfortable when I'm in a group that's different from me."

Deluxe also addresses the youth of the 'Hartz IV generation' (those dependent on the German welfare system) in his songs. Many of these young adults do not foresee a good future for themselves. But Deluxe feels that the way the German system is organized, with a large middle class, young adults really do have a chance to make something of themselves.

Building teams to overcome barriers

In order to share his experiences with others, Samy Deluxe founded the non-profit organization Crossover, along with designer Julia von Dohnanyi and Marvin Willoughby, a former German national basketball player.

Von Dohnanyi lived in the United States for many years and understands how important communication is in breaking down barriers. “The more people you know and the more types of people you get to know, the easier it is in life. If you close yourself off and only have a 'my way is the right way' attitude, life will be tough," she commented.

Crossover has organized basketball and hip-hop workshops at several secondary schools in Hamburg to bring together students of different social backgrounds. The program teamed up young people from exclusive residential areas with those of socially disadvantaged backgrounds and challenged them to make their own rhymes and beats.

Many of the workshops were advertized across Germany and attracted youth from all over country, partially due to Deluxe's name. One of the young adults who participated was 17-year-old Tom Ulris from Aschaffenberg. He was excited about the sense of community that developed out of teamwork.

"I found it fascinating to learn about the differences between young people from all over Germany," he said. "Some of us came from the East and some from the West, but after an hour, it felt like we were one team,” Tom commented.

Integration is a challenge for both sides

Crossover places a lot of emphasis on integration, regardless of whether the young adults are rich or poor, from eastern or western Germany, or they are from immigrant families.

Von Dohnanyi feels that it is very important for youth to believe in the process of integration. To encourage this belief, she urges team work in which the same expectations are placed upon everyone. Only when each person does his or her share can the project be successful.

Sophie Niebergal also believes in the value of cultural diversity in Germany. This is why she decided to do a one-year internship with the Crossover organization. She wants to work with young adults to help them start breaking down the barriers that still divide them.

As his organization grows in size and popularity among young people, Samy Deluxe may start to believe that some of the lyrics of his songs are ringing true.

…It's about time that people start to wake up and begin to speak
About something other than celebrities, football and the weather,
Like how we can improve the conditions for our youth
And right now
Because this is our Germany
This is your Germany…

Author: Zoran Arbutina / gmb
Editor: Louisa Schaefer / bk