5 Q&A With Raubtier Kollektiv
How did everything come together?
The album is a conceptual masterpiece that uses animal metaphors from a zoo to represent street life and societal hierarchies in Germany. Each track takes on a different animal persona - from "Der Elefant" (The Elephant) showing strength and memory, to "Hyänen Lachen" (Hyenas Laughing) about fake friends, to "Zoo Wärter" (Zookeepers) critiquing the police and system. it was carefully planned as a complete narrative about survival, power dynamics, and authenticity in urban Germany.
Is there a particular message or theme you hope listeners take away from 'Zoo Deutschland?’
The central theme is clearly about exposing the animalistic nature of society while questioning who the real "animals" are. The album critiques:
- Fake loyalty and betrayal ("Hyänen Lachen," "Krokodil Tränen")
- The price of success and isolation ("Adler Perspektive")
- Survival and street credibility ("Tiger Streifen," "Gorilla Geschäfte")
- Systemic oppression and the question of who's really caged ("Zoo Wärter")
The message is: stay authentic, recognize the predatory nature of society, and understand that sometimes those in power are the real beasts.
What are you most proud about ‘Zoo Deutschland?’
The album's greatest strength lies in its sophisticated metaphorical framework. The zoo concept allows for complex social commentary while maintaining raw, aggressive energy. Tracks like "Adler Perspektive" show remarkable emotional depth, exploring how success breeds isolation, while "Tiger Streifen" turns scars into symbols of survival.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
From the shadows of the concrete jungle. Born between cage bars and the urge for freedom. No names, no faces - only the voice of the streets. Raubtier Kollektiv is not an artist, but a cry of rage. An echo from the zoo that resonates through the night. We are everywhere and nowhere. We are the ones they warn you about.
The truth doesn't lie in biographies - it lies in the scars of our lyrics.
How do you continuously grow and evolve as an artist?
The album itself demonstrates evolution - from raw aggression in early tracks to philosophical depth in "Adler Perspektive." The range from party anthems ("Pavian Party") to social criticism ("Zoo Wärter") shows versatility. The sophisticated use of extended metaphors and the ability to maintain thematic consistency while exploring different emotions and perspectives show that the artist is pushing beyond typical German rap boundaries, creating something that works both as individual tracks and as a complete artistic statement.
The album ‘Zoo Deutschland’ stands as a powerful commentary on modern German society, using the zoo as a metaphor for the urban jungle where everyone plays predator or prey.
