Die Orsons

Formed in Stuttgart, the German pop-rap outfit Die Orsons features MCs Tua, Kaas, Maeckes, and Bartek, who previously performed under the name Plan B. In contrast to the typically fierce and aggressive tone found in German hip-hop and the more somber solo endeavors of its members, the collective embraces a playful, witty, and ironic approach. Initial appearances came via mixtapes from Maeckes and Plan B, before the unit developed into a themed ensemble drawing from Jim Davis' comic U.S. Acres, assigning each participant a unique animated persona. In 2008, they inked a deal with Chimperator Productions and issued their inaugural LP Das Album, which garnered uneven critical response. Their sophomore effort the next year, titled Denn Dein Ist das Reich und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit, In Ewigkeit, Orsons, dialed back the animated personas somewhat while incorporating more earnest tracks like "Souljah Boy," a reworking of Soulja Boy's "Turn My Swag On" addressing child soldiers. Extensive live work followed, encompassing support slots for Fettes Brot during 2009, Herbert Grönemeyer in 2012, and involvement in Chimperator's celebratory trek marking eleven years in 2010. After a three-year hiatus from releases, the provocative 2012 track "Horst & Monika" emerged, centered on Monika Strub—a transgender former neo-Nazi who sought parliamentary office with the socialist Left party in 2011. Although facing pushback from transgender advocates, it secured a Top 40 placement in Germany, while the accompanying LP Das Chaos und die Ordnung performed stronger by peaking at number 34 on the album rankings. Continued relentless performances paved the way for their 2015 fourth album What's Goes?, marking their peak achievement with a number two chart position.