From Dnipro to Berlin: The Making of a Rap Mogul

The story of Capital Bra, born Vladislav Balovatsky, is a testament to the power of resilience and artistic drive. Few could have predicted that the seven-year-old boy who arrived in Berlin with his mother from Ukraine would, within fifteen years, dominate the German-speaking music charts. His rapid ascent and chart-topping success rival even that of legendary groups, marking him as a true phenomenon. Capital Bra, the high-school dropout, has undeniably conquered the European music scene.

Early Life and Influences

Vladislav Balovatsky, known professionally as Capital Bra, was born in a small Siberian city, Russia. His Ukrainian parents worked in the oil industry before relocating to Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro), Ukraine. In 2001, seeking better opportunities, his mother moved with young Vladislav to Berlin, while his father remained in Ukraine. His formative years were spent in the Alt-Hohenschönhausen district of Berlin.

Growing up, Vladislav was an energetic and headstrong child. He channeled his energy into football, playing for Dynamo Berlin. However, his rebellious nature often lead to conflicts at school, and he faced consequences for minor offenses as a teenager. This turbulent period ultimately influenced his decision to pursue music full-time.

Because of his bad behavior, Wladislaw had to change school, and in the ninth grade he decided to leave the school completely and concentrate on his art.

The Rise to Fame: From Newcomer to Chart-Topper

Capital Bra’s journey into music began at the age of eleven, but it wasn’t until his early twenties that he gained significant recognition. His breakthrough came in 2014 at the “rap on Wednesday” festival in berlin, where his talent was recognized, earning him the title of best newcomer.

In February 2016, under the moniker Capital, he released his debut album, Kuku Bra, which quickly entered the German charts. The album reached number 32 in Germany and number 61 in Austria within its first week, signaling the arrival of a new force in German rap.

Capital Bra’s Enduring Impact on German Rap

Capital Bra’s success extends beyond chart positions. He has become a cultural icon, influencing a generation of young Germans with his unique blend of street credibility and catchy hooks. His story serves as an inspiration, proving that success can be achieved thru passion and perseverance, regardless of one’s background.

As of today, Capital Bra continues to release music and tour extensively, solidifying his position as one of the most influential and successful rappers in the German-speaking world. His journey from a young immigrant in Berlin to a celebrated artist is a remarkable tale of talent, hard work, and the transformative power of music.

Early Success and Chart Domination

Vladislav Balovatsky, known professionally as Capital Bra, has become a household name in the German-speaking music scene. His journey from underground rapper to a chart-topping artist is a testament to his talent and adaptability. While his initial releases garnered attention, it was his second album, Makarov Complex, that truly catapulted him into the spotlight, securing a second-place position in Germany and topping the charts in Austria.

Capital Bra maintained relentless momentum, releasing his third album, Blyat, just six months later.This album solidified his position, reaching the top 5 in German-speaking countries and enjoying extended stays on the Austrian and Swiss charts. Following this success, he embarked on a tour with King Khalil, performing in various German-speaking European cities.

The rapper’s fourth album, Berlin Lebt, released in June 2018, marked a turning point, achieving the top spot in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The single 5 Songs in einer Nacht (5 songs in one night) from this album became his first to be listed on the german charts, signaling the beginning of his widespread mainstream recognition.

Subsequent singles like One Night Stand, Neymar, and Berlin Lebt continued his chart dominance in Austria and Germany. During this period, Capital Bra transitioned from Team Kuku to Bushido’s Ersguterjunge label, a move that further amplified his reach.

Collaborations and record-Breaking Achievements

Capital Bra’s willingness to collaborate has been a key factor in his sustained success. He has worked with numerous prominent German rappers, including Samra, Bonez MC, Pashanim, Apache 207, Mero, and Reezy, showcasing his versatility and appeal across different subgenres. His collaborations extend to live performances,sharing stages with artists like Ski Aggu,Xatar,and AK Ausserkontrolle.

the single Für euch alle (For you all) featuring Samra, released in July 2018, cemented his position at the top, reaching number one on the German charts. This success was mirrored by Melodien (melodies) featuring Juju, which also topped the charts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The latter achieved over 1.9 million streams in a single day and 9.7 million within a week, demonstrating his immense popularity.

His fifth album,Allein (Alone),released in November 2018,reached second place on the German charts. Notable singles from this album include Fightclub (feat. Samra & AK ausserkontrolle), Roli Glitzer Glitzer (feat. Luciano & eno),Ich liebe es (I love it) (feat. Xatar & Samy),and allein (Alone).

Concurrently, Capital Bra launched his own YouTube channel, featuring new content and, as 2019, singles by Samra. In 2018,five of his videos ranked among the top ten most popular videos in Germany on YouTube. Spotify and Apple Music recognized Berlin Lebt as the most streamed album of the year in Germany.

Independent Ventures and Continued Dominance

In January 2019, Capital Bra left Ersguterjunge and signed with Global Music Group, afterward establishing his own label, bra Music, in March. He continued to release chart-topping singles such as Benzema and Prinzessa (Princess). Notably, Prinzessa faced censorship on Swiss radio due to its offensive content, yet still managed to become one of the top 5 most-played songs in the first half of 2019.

Venturing into new territory, Capital Bra released a cover version of Modern Talking’s cheri, Cheri Lady in March 2019. Despite initial disagreements with Dieter Bohlen, the cover proved successful, charting in Germany and achieving 11.5 million streams in its first week, setting a new record for German music.

April 2019 saw the release of his sixth album, CB6. By May,Capital Bra surpassed Ed Sheeran to become the most streamed artist in Germany,boasting over 1.4 billion listeners.

In October 2019, he collaborated with Samra on their first joint album, continuing his streak of success. The album’s lead single garnered 3 million streams on its first day and 15 million within a week, becoming the most streamed song in Germany.

In 2019, Balovacki broke the record of the Beatles, which no one could outbid for 50 years. The four from Liverpool reached the top of the charts 12 times with their songs, while Capital Bra made it 13 times. At the same time, the rapper modestly clarifies that he cannot compare himself to the legendary British because they play in a completely different league.

His seventh album, CB7, released in 2020, promptly topped the German-speaking charts, solidifying Capital Bra’s position as the most streamed artist in Germany on Spotify for that year. In addition to his music career, Balovatsky has ventured into the food industry, launching his own brand of frozen pizza, which has gained popularity under the pseudonym Joker Bra.

The Secret to Capital Bra’s Enduring Appeal

Capital Bra’s widespread appeal stems from several factors. Unlike some of his contemporaries,he avoids public scandals and maintains a relatively low-key personal life. While his music incorporates elements of gangsta rap, cloud rap, popping rap, and trap, his unique selling point lies in the incorporation of Eastern Slavic and Arabic words into his lyrics, resonating with a diverse audience.

As of today, Capital bra continues to be a dominant force in the German music industry. His ability to adapt, collaborate, and innovate has ensured his continued success, making him a role model for aspiring artists and a cultural icon in Germany.

Upcoming Performance: Lifevkaif Open Air Festival

mark your calendars! Fans can catch Capital Bra live in concert on July 12th, 2025, at the Lifevkaif Open Air Festival in Osterburken, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This performance promises to be a highlight of the festival, drawing fans from across the region.

The Evolution of a Name: Unpacking “Capital Bra”

Before he was known as Capital Bra, Wladislaw Balowazki initially performed under the moniker “Capital.” The addition of “Bra” came with his first single, a shortened version of the Russian word “Bro,” possibly inspired by the iconic Russian film Brother. The fusion of these elements created the stage name “Capital Bra,” which can be interpreted as “capital brother.” This name reflects both his ambition and his connection to his roots.

Beyond Music: Capital Bra’s Entrepreneurial Ventures

Capital Bra’s ambitions extend beyond the music industry. He has successfully ventured into the culinary world, demonstrating his business acumen and brand-building skills.

Gangstarella Pizza: A Slice of Success

In May 2020, Capital Bra launched his own line of frozen pizzas called “Gangstarella.” Featuring the rapper in a chef’s hat on the packaging, these pizzas were available in major supermarket chains like Kaufland, Rewe, and Edeka. Initially priced at €3.99, the pizzas came in two flavors: grilled vegetables and salami.This venture proved to be a hit, showcasing Capital Bra’s ability to connect with his audience through diverse avenues.

Expanding the Brand: bratee and stop Wars edition

Building on the success of Gangstarella, Capital Bra introduced “Bratee,” an iced tea line featuring watermelon and peach flavors, a year later. In 2022, responding to the conflict in Ukraine, he launched a green tea with lime and mint called “Stop Wars Edition,” packaged in yellow and blue. All proceeds from this drink were donated to Ukrainian charities, demonstrating his commitment to social causes.

Battling Addiction: A Public Struggle

Capital Bra has been open about his struggles with substance abuse, using his platform to raise awareness and caution his fans about the dangers of drug use.

Confronting Tylidine Addiction

In a candid YouTube interview in September 2020, Vladislaw Balowazki revealed his addiction to the synthetic opioid tylidine. He warned his fans about the highly addictive nature of this drug, which is typically used as a strong pain reliever in medicine. His openness about his addiction was praised by many, who saw it as a brave and responsible act.

Other Substances and Health Consequences

Capital Bra also admitted to using cocaine and cannabis, but noted that these substances did not lead to the same level of dependency as tylidine. In 2023, he announced that he was no longer using drugs. Though, in an interview with Bild, he mentioned using laughing gas, which led to pneumonia and pulmonary thrombosis, requiring hospitalization.Since then, there have been no indications that he has relapsed.

Private Life: A Carefully Guarded Secret

Despite his public persona, Capital Bra has always been private about his personal life. For years, fans were unaware that he had a long-term partner and children. He has intentionally kept these aspects of his life out of the spotlight, focusing instead on his music and business ventures.

Early Life and Family: The foundation of an Artist

Capital bra’s personal life, particularly his family, has become a more open book in recent years. While he initially kept his family life private, he began sharing glimpses into his role as a father towards the end of 2018. His sixth album, “CB6,” marked a turning point, featuring the track “for us,” a heartfelt dedication to his children’s mother. In this song,he addresses the disapproval their relationship faced from his partner’s family and pledges to overcome his struggles with alcohol and infidelity,emphasizing his deep appreciation for her.

Despite the public nature of his career, Capital Bra has maintained a level of privacy regarding his partner’s identity. The only confirmed detail is that she is German. He revealed in a 2022 stream that they met as teenagers, both around the age of 12, and have been together for eight years, during which she has given birth to four children. As of july 2023, Capital Bra is a proud father of two daughters and two sons.

The rapper’s dedication to his family was evident when he canceled his “Berlin Lives 2 Arena Tour” in April 2023, citing his impending wedding and the birth of his fourth child. While this decision drew criticism from some fans, Capital Bra prioritized his family commitments, emphasizing the importance of his wife having the wedding of her dreams.

Musical Journey and Collaborations

Capital Bra’s career has been marked by numerous collaborations and a diverse range of musical styles. While his personal life frequently enough makes headlines, his artistic endeavors continue to shape his public image.

In April 2024, speculation arose about capital Bra’s personal life following the release of his song “I’m sorry,” interpreted by many as an apology to his wife. during this period, he was also seen spending time with Joelina Drews, daughter of pop star Jürgen Drews, with whom he recorded the song “thin ice.” This wasn’t his first collaboration with female artists; he has previously worked with Celine, Juju, and Luna. Capital Bra typically refrains from commenting on his private life, leaving fans and media to speculate about the nature of his relationships.

Political Stances and Social Commentary

Despite a turbulent past, Capital Bra has consistently used his platform to address social and political issues. He has been openly critical of right-wing extremism in Germany, particularly the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), and has voiced concerns about policies in the United States.

In 2014,following the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas,he released “No war in ukraine,” advocating for peace. The 2022 Russian invasion deeply affected him, leading to the collaboration with kontra K on “Stop Wars.” He has also expressed a willingness to house Ukrainian refugees and actively donates a portion of his earnings to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. According to the UN Refugee Agency, as of early 2025, over 6 million Ukrainians remain displaced across Europe, highlighting the ongoing need for support.

Capital Bra has also addressed social injustice,including bullying,in his music,demonstrating a commitment to using his influence for positive change.

Financial Challenges and Legal Issues

Despite an estimated net worth of €15 million, Capital Bra has faced financial difficulties. His album “vladislaw,” released in April 2024, underperformed commercially, failing to reach the top ten charts.Simultaneously, his family experienced a distressing incident when his wife’s car was set on fire by unknown individuals.

In September 2024, reports surfaced that the Potsdam tax office had auctioned off Capital Bra’s property, including his gold records. Germany’s high income tax rates can pose challenges for artists,and financial struggles can make tax payments difficult. As of 2024, the top income tax rate in Germany is 45% for income exceeding €277,826.

Neither Capital Bra nor the tax authorities have commented on the specifics of his tax situation or potential bankruptcy proceedings.

Awards and Recognition

Capital Bra’s success in the music industry is underscored by numerous awards and certifications:

• 2017: “Blyat” album certified gold.
• 2018: “Berlin lives” album certified gold; “Best National Rap solo performance” at the hipHop.de awards.
• 2019: “Best National Group” and “Best National Rap solo performance” at the HipHop.de Awards; Third place in “Hip Hop National” at the Bravo Otto Awards; “CB6” and “Berlin lives 2” albums certified gold.