The Fantastic Four (band)

Die Fantastischen Vier (often shortened to Fanta 4 or F4) are a German hip-hop group from Stuttgart, Germany. They are considered one of the "fathers" of German-language hip-hop.

Formed in 1989, the group originally consisted of Thomas D (Thomas Dürr), Smudo (Michael B. Schmidt), Michi Beck (Michael Beck), and DJ Hausmarke (Andreas Rieke). Hausmarke primarily provided beats and scratches and retired from live performances in 2000, focusing on studio production. While still considered a member, his stage presence has been taken over by others since then.

Die Fantastischen Vier are known for their innovative use of the German language in rap lyrics, often employing wordplay, humor, and social commentary. They were instrumental in popularizing German rap in the early 1990s and have remained consistently successful and influential throughout their career. Some of their most well-known songs include "Die Da!?!", "Sie ist weg", "MfG", and "Tag am Meer".

Beyond music, members of Die Fantastischen Vier have also been involved in other projects, including television appearances and solo work. They are recognized for their significant contributions to German popular culture.