Far-right German-speaking rappers are exploiting social media platforms such as TikTok to circulate extremist rhetoric and antisemitic disinformation, an AFP investigation has revealed.
One of the most prominent figures, a rapper known as MaKss Damage — real name Julian Fritsch — has shared videos linking the war in Gaza to antisemitic conspiracies. In one clip, Fritsch suggested Adolf Hitler was right about the “destruction caused by Jews,” with his face morphing into a demonic image. “Back then it was Germany, today it’s Palestine,” he rapped, displaying a tattoo associated with far-right ideology.
The video also referenced a debunked conspiracy theory claiming a Jewish owner of the World Trade Center avoided the September 11 attacks due to prior knowledge. TikTok removed Fritsch’s accounts after AFP contacted the platform but did not clarify how it enforces its hate speech rules.
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has identified Fritsch as a right-wing extremist, while the far-right political group The Third Way lists him as a supporter. He is part of a growing network of extremist musicians using social media to promote neo-Nazi and antisemitic content.
Experts warn the online far-right music scene has become increasingly radical. “It has become significantly more extreme in recent years,” said Thorsten Hindrichs, a musicologist at the University of Mainz. Reports from German states such as Saxony also indicate the movement is expanding.
Some videos reviewed by AFP remain on TikTok despite violating its hate speech policies. The trend coincides with rising antisemitic crimes and political extremism in Germany, amid growing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The rhetoric often blends pro-Palestinian sentiment with antisemitic and anti-immigration themes. Researcher Bernhard Weidinger from the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance said such artists “agitate against Islamisation” domestically while expressing sympathy for Palestinians abroad, framing both Muslims and Europeans as victims of Jews and Americans.
Another rapper, E.Mar, known for nationalist lyrics and his signature skull mask, boasts over 96,000 monthly Spotify listeners. In one song, he raps: “We are ready for war here: current politics makes you feel foreign in your own country.” Spotify said it removes content promoting violent extremism but allows songs that do not explicitly incite violence or hatred.
Researchers warn that TikTok’s live video features provide extremists with a private space to recruit followers. “These discussions can turn into some form of extremist recruitment,” said Markus Boesch of the University of Münster. Far-right users often evade bans by moving between new accounts or directing followers to encrypted apps such as Telegram or Discord.
According to Ciaran O’Connor of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, such users “expect to be blocked but can often return to the platform with ease.” Many employ coded emojis—like blue hearts for AfD support or double lightning bolts referencing the Nazi SS—to signal extremist affiliations while avoiding detection.
