From the West Berlin curb to the Dubai skyline: Bushido
Photo: dpa
After well over 100 days of negotiations in a mammoth trial that lasted a total of three and a half years, the Berlin Regional Court on Monday acquitted Arafat Abou-Chaker of charges of bodily harm and other crimes. His former partner Anis Mohamed Youssef Ferchichi, better known as Bushido, accused him. The Bonn-born rapper accused his former manager of serious predatory blackmail, deprivation of liberty, coercion as well as dangerous bodily harm and serious infidelity. Ultimately, the court only convicted Abou-Chaker because he had secretly recorded conversations.
So now it’s finally over, the most famous contemporary liaison between two Berlin street boys. Growing up where the streets have no name but at least promise credibility, they once merged into a successful prey community that not only managed to tear down the social walls that held them inside, but also the very real ones. A basic requirement for bullies willing to integrate. to even feel the sunlight on your face. Their journey together went from the West Berlin curb to the Dubai skyline. A buddy romance including a biographical film adaptation. They raked in millions, walked red carpets together and separated like a high society couple: in court. The tabloid press was always at her side as a loyal companion. But Bushido didn’t even come to the big finale, when the verdict was announced. He is currently staying in sunny Dubai with his family.
“Attempted predatory blackmail is ruled out for legal reasons,” explained judge Martin Mrosk when announcing the verdict. From the court’s perspective, Abou-Chaker could assume that he had financial claims. There were no witnesses to support Bushido’s version, nor any clear evidence. The judge continued that no credibility criteria supported the accusation beyond a reasonable doubt. The alleged throwing of a PET water bottle in the direction of Bushido is therefore not a crime. Credibility is the currency with which German rap is paid. In this respect, Bushido has long been bankrupt. His flight into the arms of the boulevard is only an expression of the fact that street credibility has long since been used up and a new marketing model was needed. The once tough boy is now acting bourgeois.
“Bushido & Anna-Maria – Everything is family” is the name of the schmonzette in which Bushido markets his new phase of life on a Luxembourg TV station. “Close-up of a rap star at the crossroads of his life,” the subtitle murmurs to describe the subject. The documentary is aimed at a target audience that once loudly shouted along to the homophobic, anti-American and misogynistic parts of Bushido. His last fans were also the ones who watched the drawn-out court drama with excitement. For everyone else it was a trial over a trivial matter. The fact that Bushido is now aiming for a career as the favorite of all mothers-in-law is the continuation of his career through other means. There is also enough material provided. The War of the Roses between Arafat Abou-Chaker and Anis Mohamed Youssef Ferchichi could go into another round. The Chamber Court still has a case before it, according to which Abou-Chaker is supposed to pay back almost 1.8 million euros plus interest to Bushido. And the two are arguing before the Higher Regional Court in Brandenburg (Havel) over compensation payments for houses that they purchased together in Rüdersdorf.
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