Sabrina Setlur, formerly known as Schwester S., stands as a groundbreaking figure in the German music scene. Born on January 10, 1974, in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, she is the elder daughter of Krishnan Setlur, a Kannadiga banker, and Theresa, a Malayali nurse.
Early Life of Sabrina Setlur
Raised in Bad Soden am Taunus, Sabrina Setlur’s journey into the world of rap began in her high school years. A chance encounter with future collaborators Thomas Hofmann and Moses Pelham led her to contribute to the early Rödelheim Hartreim Projekt track “Wenn Es Nicht Hart Ist.”
This marked the beginning of her remarkable career, as Pelham recognized her talent and offered her a record contract with Pelham Power Productions.
Music Career – 1990s
In 1995, under the pseudonym Schwester S., she released the double A single “Hier kommt die Schwester/Pass auf,” produced by Moses Pelham. Her debut album, ‘S ist soweit,’ featuring the breakthrough single “Ja klar,” positioned her as a force to be reckoned with in the German rap scene. Setlur’s accolades include the ECHO Award for “Best Female Artist” in 1996.
Her transition to her birth name in 1997 marked a significant milestone, with the release of the album ‘Die Neue S-Klasse’ and the chart-topping single “Du Liebst Mich Nicht.” This success earned her another ECHO and a Comet award, solidifying her status as Germany’s leading female rap artist.
2000s
Sabrina Setlur’s musical evolution continued with her fourth studio album, ‘Sabs,’ released in 2003. Despite mixed critical reception, it showcased her resilience and versatility. Her role as a judge on ‘Popstars – Das Duell’ further highlighted her impact on the German music industry.
In 2005, a best-of compilation titled ’10 Jahre Sabrina Setlur‘ captured her musical journey, featuring all her singles up to that point. Setlur’s fifth studio album, ‘Rot,’ released in 2007, marked her return to the spotlight.
Kraftwerk Legal Battle
Sabrina Setlur faced a legal battle with Kraftwerk in 2016, where she initially lost a copyright infringement suit but later saw a reversal in the European Court of Justice in 2019.
Awards
Sabrina Setlur’s illustrious career is adorned with numerous awards, including Comets, ECHO Awards, and a German Multimedia Award for her website rot fm in 2008.
Also Read : Anita Bose Pfaff: Economist, Professor, and Daughter of Freedom