Kaliber 44

Kaliber 44
Polish music group "Kaliber 44" in 2001.
Polish music group "Kaliber 44" in 2001.
Background information
Also known asK44
OriginKatowice, Poland
GenresHip hop
Years active1993–2003, from 2013
LabelsS.P. Records
MembersAbradab, Joka
Past membersMagik, DJ Feel-X, Lukatricks, Gano

Kaliber 44 is one of the biggest Polish hip hop groups, formed in 1993 in Katowice. The group is dubbed the most influential Polish hip hop band, while their so-called hardcore psycho rap style is the most prominent. As revealed by Abradab in an interview aired on TVP, "the name comes from the time we weren't completely sane and played gangsta". Later on members provided a revised interpretation: first part of the name indicates the calibre of problems the group sings about. The number 44 is a reference to a prophetic poem Dziady written by Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz.

"Księga Tajemnicza. Prolog", released in 1996, was the first Polish hardcore psychorap album and the second one where live-scratching technique was used. Their two other albums – "W 63 minuty dookoła świata" (released in 1998) and "3:44" (released in 2000) were completely devoid of psychorap style, but they were equally popular and lyrically outstanding. Their last album was their last album was titled "Ułamek tarcia" and was released on March 2, 2016.

Piotr Łuszcz

Soon after release of the second album "W 63 minuty dookoła świata" Magik retired from Kaliber 44, and formed new band called "Paktofonika" together with Sebastian "Rahim" Salbert and Wojciech "Fokus" Alszer.[citation needed]

On 26 December 2000, at around 6:15, "Magik" committed suicide by jumping out of the window of his apartment situated on the ninth floor of the building, in Katowice. At around 6:45, he was pronounced dead in a local hospital, leaving his wife Justyna, and a 3-year-old son, Filip.[citation needed]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
POL
[1]
Księga Tajemnicza. Prolog
  • Released: 10 November 1996
  • Label: S.P. Records
W 63 minuty dookoła świata
  • Released: 2 March 1998
  • Label: S.P. Records
6
3:44
  • Released: 2 September 2000
  • Label: S.P. Records
3
Ułamek tarcia 1
  • ZPAV: Platinum[3]

Demo albums

Title Album details
Usłysz nasze demo
  • Released: 1994
  • Label: Self-released
Demo 1995r.
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Self-released

Singles

  • "Magia i miecz" (The Magic and the Sword) (1996)
  • "Film" (The Trip) (1998)
  • "Konfrontacje/Rutyny" (Confrontations/Routines) (2000)
  • "Nieodwracalne Zmiany" (Irreversible Changes) (2016)
  • "(Why Is It) Fresh" (2016)
  • "Czarny Śląsk" (Black Silesia) (2023)
  • "TEN STYL, TEN RAP" (THAT STYLE, THAT RAP) (2024)

References

  1. ^ Peak chart positions in Poland:
    • W 63 minuty dookoła świata: "OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
    • 3:44: "OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Bestseller charts and awards :: Gold certification awards". Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  3. ^ "ZPAV :: Bestsellery i wyróżnienia - Wyróżnienia - Złote płyty CD". ZPAV. Retrieved 23 March 2016.