Sun Diego, born Dmitrij Aleksandrovic Chpakov on March 17, 1989, in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, is a German rapper who has carved out a distinctive place for himself in the rap scene with his unique blend of battle rap and gangster rap.
At just three years old, Chpakov moved to Germany with his mother and grandmother, first settling in Berlin and later relocating to Osnabrück. Growing up in a musically inclined household, with his mother being a professional musician, Chpakov was exposed to music early on. His upbringing was shaped by a series of challenges, including encounters with criminal activities, such as large-scale cellphone fraud and identity theft, which would later inform some of his lyrical themes.
Chpakov’s rap career began in 2004 under the alias “Capri_Sonne” through online battle rap forums. His early success led to the creation of Moneyrain Entertainment with John Webber, and in 2008, they released the “Ruski Tape” EP. He also gained significant recognition through collaborations with prominent German rapper Kollegah, featuring on albums like “Chronik 2” and “Zuhältertape Volume 3.”
In 2013, Chpakov introduced his iconic alter ego, SpongeBOZZ, complete with a SpongeBob-inspired costume. The persona quickly gained attention, especially with his victory in the “JBB” (JuliensBlogBattle) in both 2013 and 2014. His debut studio album, Planktonweed Tape, topped the German charts in 2015.
After facing legal issues and a raid by German authorities in 2017, Chpakov transitioned back to his birth name, Sun Diego. His 2018 autobiography, Yellow Bar Mitzvah – Die sieben Pforten vom Moloch zum Ruhm, reached number two on the Spiegel bestseller list, and he went on to release chart-topping singles like “Eloah” and “Rock Me Amadeus.”
Sun Diego is also known for infusing his music with Jewish symbolism and themes, offering a unique perspective in the German rap scene. Through his evolution from SpongeBOZZ to Sun Diego, he continues to be a dynamic and influential figure in hip-hop, reflecting personal and artistic growth in every project.