Texta

Formed in Linz in 1993, Austrian hip-hop group Texta consists of MCs Flip, Huckey, Laima, and Skero and DJ Dan. All the rappers contribute to the German-language lyrics, and Texta have garnered a considerable fan base given their Upper Austrian dialect raps, their D.I.Y. attitude, and their cultural sensibilities that emphasize their Austrian identity. After releasing a number of singles, EPs, and albums (including 1997 debut full-length Gediegen and its 1998 instrumental version Geschwiegen, and 1999 sophomore full-length Gegenüber and its instrumental version Vis-à-Vis), Texta's popularity reached new heights when their third album, 2002's Blickwinkel, entered the Austrian Top 40. The follow-up album, 2004's So Oder So, also entered the Top 40 and stayed there for five consecutive weeks. Paroli, Texta's fifth album, followed in 2007. ~ Christian Genzel