- Rapper Haftbefehl experienced a serious drug relapse after his Netflix documentary.
- He is now openly discussing his downward spiral and the loss of his friend Xatar.
- His substance use led to a coma and required reconstructive nasal surgery.
- Haftbefehl is reportedly stable after completing detox.
Rapper Haftbefehl is revealing a difficult period following the release of his acclaimed Netflix documentary, “Babo: Die Haftbefehl-Story.” Even as fans celebrated the unflinching look into his life, the artist, born Aykut Anhan, was privately battling a relapse. He shared details of his struggles in the fifth episode of his RTL+ podcast, “Nina & Aykut.”
Haftbefehl admitted that he immediately fell back into heavy substance use after finishing the documentary, which was intended to mark a turning point. “I gave a f*ck,” he stated on the podcast. Instead of remaining sober, he consumed large amounts of cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol. The documentary’s release comes as streaming services increasingly focus on true-crime and biographical content.
The consequences of his relapse were visible, leading to speculation about his appearance. He has now confirmed that years of drug abuse severely damaged his cartilage, requiring extensive reconstructive surgery in January 2026. He previously addressed concerns about his “sunken nose” in social media posts.
Coma Following Xatar’s Death
The downward spiral reached a critical point in July 2025 when Haftbefehl fell into a coma as a result of his drug use. The psychological trigger for this collapse was the sudden death of his close friend and mentor, Xatar.
Xatar, whose real name was not publicly released, was found dead in his Cologne apartment in May 2025 at the age of 43. Cologne prosecutors closed their investigation in September 2025, ruling out foul play, but the exact cause of death remains confidential to protect the family’s privacy.
“He was actually my best friend in the music business. That breaks a lot,” Haftbefehl said emotionally. He clarified, however, that Xatar did not die from drug-related causes.
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Haftbefehl Reports Being Stable
Despite the recent setbacks, there is positive news. After a six-week detox program in Villingen-Schwenningen, Haftbefehl appears to be stable. He recently shared a reflective message on Instagram, thanking his fans for their support.
The artist is planning a major comeback in 2026. He is confirmed as a headlining act for the World Club Dome 2026 in Frankfurt. He will also perform at the 808 Festival in Zurich on February 28th at Halle 622. He is scheduled to appear at a memorial concert for Xatar at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne on May 7, 2026.
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