Meet Fat Papi, the little-known NZ rapper catapulted to Billboard 100 fame
Kurdish New Zealander Baban Hussain has gained global fame with online hit he created with Australian producer
TL;DR
- Baban Hussain, a 22-year-old Kurdish New Zealander known as Fat Papi, has achieved viral success with his song "Freaked Out."
- The song has garnered over 7.5 billion views, boosted his Spotify listeners to nearly 10 million, and reached global charts, including the US Billboard Hot 100.
- This feat makes Hussain the first Kurdish artist and second New Zealand rapper to debut on the Billboard Hot 100.
- The viral phenomenon began after a short dance video featuring the song gained traction on TikTok, with influencers like Jocelyn Meiere using it.
- Other artists, including Raye and Megan Thee Stallion, have featured the song in their videos.
- Producer Owen Omen, of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands descent, also views this success as a significant moment for his people.
- Hussain, whose parents are refugees from Iraq, sees his success as a way to represent his Kurdish community.
- Hussain and Omen began collaborating four months prior to the song's viral success and met in person in July.
- They have secured management, record deals, a new single planned for September, and are scheduled to perform at Australia's Spilt Milk festival.
- The duo aims for long-term success and aspires to play at Coachella and collaborate with other artists.