»Original, fresh, brave, bold« – in April 2023, Herbert Grönemeyer used these attributes to describe a number of young artists who are currently inspiring him. Between Nina Chuba and Edwin Rosen, the name of a nineteen-year-old musician also appeared in this series, whose catalog at the time only included two songs: Berq. The very first, »Echo«, sparked a wildfire in September 2022 that continues to blaze to this day. Berq himself initially eyed the growing hype surrounding him with suspicion: for years, even his personal environment reacted indifferently or even confusedly to his attempts at music. There were only a few weeks between a lack of ideas after leaving school and promising label offers, and less than six months between a sparsely furnished basement studio in his parents’ house in Hamburg and support shows for Schmyt, ENNIO and Paula Hartmann. In May 2023, Berq released his debut EP – »ROTE FLAGGEN«, a tragedy in five acts that was never intended for the public and perhaps that is precisely why it intoxicates, stirs and shakes like nothing for a long time.