German-American rapper and singer Benjamin Griffey (born September 25, 1982), best known by his stage name Casper, is signed to Sony Music.
Early life
A German mother and an American father, Arlen Griffey, a soldier stationed at Lemgo, North Rhine-Westphalia, welcomed Casper into the world. He was two weeks old when his family relocated to a trailer park in Augusta, Georgia, in the United States. He returned to Germany with his mother and younger sister when he was eleven years old. He struggled at school at first because he had not been reared bilingually, even though his mother was German. He moved to Bielefeld to study at the university.
Career
Casper collaborated with other German rappers, including Abroo and Separate, on several studio records. They formed the hip-hop group Kinder des Zorns together. Their first and only album, Rap Art War, was released in 2004.
He put out a mixtape titled Die Welt hört mich in 2006 on the 667 label One More Than the Devil. He toured Germany in the two years after Die Welt hört mich came out, and on May 9, 2008, he published his debut album, Hin zur Sonne, on the 667 record label.
He inked a deal with Selfmade Records in February 2009, leaving 667 Records. In April 2009, they released Chronik 2 alongside Kollegah, Favorite, and Shiml, who were also signed to Selfmade Records.
Casper departed Selfmade Records in October 2010 and agreed to a new deal with Four Music. On July 8, 2011, his second album, XOXO, was made available.
In the early years of his musical career, Casper participated in punk and hardcore bands, which caused some damage to his vocal cords, which is why his voice sounded a little gruff.
Reception in the German rap scene
Casper frequently refers to himself as an “emo rapper” and claims that he is tired of people asking him about his style. His lyrics are primarily personal; the song “Hin zur Sonne,” in particular, describes his early years in America.
Discography
Albums
2008: Hin zur Sonne
2011: XOXO
2013: Hinterland
2017: Lang lebe der Tod
2018: 1982 together with Marteria
2022: Alles war schön und nichts tat weh
2023: Nur Liebe, immer.
Mixtapes
2006: Die Welt hört mich
2007: Exclusive Mixtape (online mixtape)
EPs
2003: Grundstein
2011: Auf und davon – EP
Freetracks
2006: Kann nicht verlieren
2006: Sie lieben mich jetzt
2007: Party wie die Rockstars
2008: Nie wieder (feat. Prinz Pi)
2011: Nie Wieder (Akustik Version) (feat. Prinz Pi)
2012: Nie Auf (with Cro feat. Timid Tiger)
2012: Halbe Mille
Collaborations
2004: Rap Art War (Kinder des Zorns album)
2009: Chronik 2 – sampler with Kollegah, Shiml and Favorite
2018: 1982 – album with Marteria
Singles
2009: Herz aus Holz 2009
2009: Mittelfinger hoch feat. Kollegah, Shiml and Favorite
2011: So perfekt
2011: Michael X
2011: Auf und davon
2013: Im Ascheregen
2013: Hinterland
2013: Jambalaya
2014: Alles endet (aber nie die Musik)
2016: Lang lebe der Tod feat. Blixa Bargeld, Dagobert & Sizarr
2017: Keine Angst feat. Drangsal [de]
2017: Alles ist erleuchtet
2018: Champion Sound with Marteria
2018: Supernova with Marteria
2018: Chardonnay & Purple Haze with Marteria