Rapper Haftbefehl, whose real name is Aykut Anhan, has publicly revealed a harrowing period of relapse and health crisis following the release of the Netflix documentary chronicling his life, “Babo: Die Haftbefehl-Story.” The artist detailed a descent back into substance abuse, a subsequent coma, and reconstructive surgery on his nose – damage directly linked to years of cocaine use.
The revelations came during the fifth episode of his RTL+ podcast, “Nina & Aykut,” where Haftbefehl confessed that, despite the documentary being intended as a closing chapter on a difficult past, he immediately relapsed after filming concluded. He admitted to consuming not only cocaine but also significant amounts of cannabis and alcohol, a period he described with stark regret.
For months, speculation had swirled around the rapper’s increasingly frequent appearances in public wearing a balaclava or scarf. The reason, as his wife Nina Anhan confirmed to “Bild,” was the severe deterioration of his nasal septum caused by prolonged cocaine abuse. A complex reconstructive operation was scheduled for .
A Coma Following the Loss of Xatar
The downward spiral reached a critical point in , when Haftbefehl fell into a coma as a direct result of his drug use. The catalyst for this crisis was the sudden death of his close friend and mentor, Xatar, whose real name has not been publicly released. Xatar was found dead in his Cologne apartment in , and investigations were closed in with no evidence of foul play, though the exact cause of death remains private.
“He was actually my best friend in the music business,” Haftbefehl shared emotionally on the podcast. “That breaks a lot of things.” He clarified, however, that Xatar’s death was not related to drug use.
The loss of Xatar, a significant figure in Haftbefehl’s career, proved devastating, triggering a relapse that nearly cost the rapper his life.
Haftbefehl Reports Stability After Detox
Despite the harrowing experience, Haftbefehl appears to be on a path to recovery. Following a six-week detoxification program in Villingen-Schwenningen, he has reportedly regained stability. He recently expressed gratitude to his fans on Instagram, signaling a renewed focus on his well-being.
Looking ahead, is shaping up to be a year of potential resurgence for the artist. He is confirmed as a headlining act at the World Club Dome in Frankfurt and is scheduled to perform at the 808 Festival in Zurich’s Halle 622 on . Perhaps most poignantly, he is also slated to appear at a large-scale memorial concert for Xatar at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne on .
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