Cro (musician)#Performances

Cro was born Carlo Waibel.{{Cite web|last=Germany|first=Stuttgarter Zeitung, Stuttgart|title=Rapper Cro aus Stuttgart: Steiler als die Fantas|url=https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.rapper-cro-aus-stuttgart-steiler-als-die-fantas.465b0843-253b-4f4d-a526-cabc9ac1ee57.html|access-date=2021-03-04|website=stuttgarter-zeitung.de|language=de}}{{cite news|last=Mösken|first=Anna Lea|date=29 February 2012|title=Der Rapper mit den Puschelohren|language=German|work=Berliner Zeitung|publisher=Berliner Verlag|url=http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/kultur/hiphop-der-rapper-mit-den-puschelohren,10809150,11739230,item,0.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308023259/http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/kultur/hiphop-der-rapper-mit-den-puschelohren,10809150,11739230,item,0.html|archive-date=8 March 2012}} He attended the Realschule Galgenberg in Aalen,{{cite news | title = Das Warten und Bangen hat endlich ein Ende | date = 10 July 2007 | publisher = Schwäbischer Verlag GmbH & Co. KG Drexler, Gessler | url = http://www.schwaebische.de/home_artikel,-Das-Warten-und-Bangen-hat-endlich-ein-Ende-_arid,2040625.html | work = Schwäbische Zeitung Online | access-date = 13 August 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131110133513/http://www.schwaebische.de/home_artikel,-Das-Warten-und-Bangen-hat-endlich-ein-Ende-_arid,2040625.html | archive-date = 10 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | title = Radio 7 Minikonzert mit Cro - Interview | date = 8 August 2012 | publisher = YouTube | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNEtzyGuWo | work = Radio 7 | access-date = 13 August 2012 | language = German}} and later the Johannes-Gutenberg-Schule, a vocational school in Stuttgart.{{cite news | title = Ex-JGS-Schüler "Cro" mischt deutsche Hip-Hop-Szene auf | date = May 2012 | url = http://www.jgs-stuttgart.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2166:ex-jgs-schueler-cro-052012&catid=69&Itemid=970 | work = Johannes-Gutenberg-Schule Stuttgart | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German}}{{cite news | title = LYR1C und DaJuan | date = n.d. | publisher = Mario Behrendt | url = http://www.neue-bands.de/newcomer/LYR1CundDaJuan/ | work = neue-bands.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120526013537/http://www.neue-bands.de/newcomer/LYR1CundDaJuan | archive-date = 26 May 2012 | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | first = Fabian | last = Thomas | title = Cro: Wie alles begann.. | date = 4 February 2012 | publisher = Fabian Thomas | url = http://www.jds-rap-blog.de/2012/02/04/cro-wie-alles-begann | work = jds-rap-blog.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130210065020/http://www.jds-rap-blog.de/2012/02/04/cro-wie-alles-begann | archive-date = 10 February 2013 | url-status = dead }} He began recording music at the age of 13.{{cite news | title = Mein Rap #51 – Cro | date = 4 December 2011 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2011/12/04/mein-rap-51-cro/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111208044126/http://meinrap.de/2011/12/04/mein-rap-51-cro/ | archive-date = 8 December 2011 | url-status = dead }} and learned to play piano and guitar.{{cite news | title = Cro/Chimperator Productions | date = n.d. | url = http://www.chimperator.de/chimperator-productions/artists/cro.html | work = Chimperator Productions | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120721011532/http://www.chimperator.de/chimperator-productions/artists/cro.html | archive-date = 21 July 2012 | url-status = dead }}

In 2009, Cro released his first mixtape, Trash. On 11 February 2011, his second mixtape Meine Musik was released.{{cite news | title = Cro – Meine Musik (Mixtape) | date = 11 February 2011 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2011/02/11/cro-meine-musik-mixtape/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111130172420/http://meinrap.de/2011/02/11/cro-meine-musik-mixtape/ | archive-date = 30 November 2011 | url-status = dead }} It was available for free download. Cro produced the entire mixtape by himself.{{cite news | title = Cro | date = n.d. | publisher = Imperia AG | url = http://www.laut.de/Cro | work = Laut AG | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German}} Through the mixtape German hip-hop musician Kaas took notice of Cro. Besides his musical career, Cro is also active as a designer. Since 2010, he has been designing under his clothing label Vio Vio. After receiving his Mittlere Reife, he completed an apprenticeship as a media designer and worked for the Stuttgarter Zeitung as a cartoonist.{{cite news | first = Jeremias | last = Heppeler | title = Was steckt hinter dem Phänomen Cro? | date = 28 January 2012 | publisher = Gesellschafter der Südkurier GmbH | url = http://www.suedkurier.de/nachrichten/panorama/leute/leute/Was-steckt-hinter-dem-Phaenomen-Cro;art1015351,5344483 | work = Südkurier | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German}}{{cite news | first = Jeremias | last = Heppeler | title = Was steckt hinter dem Phänomen Cro? | date = 28 January 2012 | publisher = Südwestdeutsche Medien Holding | url = http://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/rapper-cro-ueber-seine-blitzkarriere-dann-bin-ich-eben-mainstream-1.1400586 | work = Süddeutsche Zeitung | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German}}

Through Kaas, Cro met Sebastian Andrej Schweizer, founder of the independent-label, Chimperator Productions, and Kodimey Awokou. At the end of September 2011, a "Making of" video for a new artist was published by the label leading to speculations about which artist had been actually signed.{{cite news | title = Chimperator – Rätsel um neues Signing gelöst | date = 13 October 2011 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2011/10/13/chimperator-ratselraten-um-neues-signing/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160320021945/http://meinrap.de/2011/10/13/chimperator-ratselraten-um-neues-signing/ | archive-date = 20 March 2016 | url-status = dead }} In October 2011, Schweizer announced that he had signed Cro.

File:2013-08-26 Cro at Chiemsee Reggae Summer '13 BT0A4735.JPG

From 30 October until 7 November 2011, Cro was a supporting act for the Norwegian band Madcon during their Glow Tour 2011.{{cite news|url=http://meinrap.de/2011/10/29/cro-tour-mit-madcon-mixtape-im-dezember/|title=Cro – Tour mit Madcon / Mixtape im Dezember|date=29 October 2011|work=meinrap.de|access-date=27 July 2012|publisher=chb Medien|language=German|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108003137/http://meinrap.de/2011/10/29/cro-tour-mit-madcon-mixtape-im-dezember/|archive-date=8 November 2011|url-status=dead}} During the concert and also for photos, Cro wore a panda-mask.{{cite news|url=http://meinrap.de/2011/11/15/cro-madcon-tour-videoblog-1-video/|title=Cro – Madcon Tour Videoblog #1 (Video)|date=15 November 2011|work=meinrap.de|access-date=27 July 2012|publisher=chb Medien|language=German|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216165056/http://meinrap.de/2011/11/15/cro-madcon-tour-videoblog-1-video/|archive-date=16 December 2011|url-status=dead}} Psaiko.Dino, producer at Chimperator Productions, adopted the role as a spokesperson for Cro, especially for the video-blogs.

In November 2011, the music video for Easy, which had been directed by Harris Hodovic and was announcing the upcoming mixtape, was released on tape.tv.{{cite news | title = Cro – Easy (Video) | date = 22 November 2011 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2011/11/22/cro-easy-video/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111126193426/http://meinrap.de/2011/11/22/cro-easy-video/ | archive-date = 26 November 2011 | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | title = CRO – Easy | year = 2011 | url = http://urwlcm.com/cro-easy/ | work = urwlcm.com/ | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120118191129/http://urwlcm.com/cro-easy/ | archive-date = 18 January 2012 | url-status = dead }} A few days later, the video was released on YouTube, where it gained more than 500,000 views in the first two weeks. In the beginning of 2012, it had gained 12 million views, mid-May, the views had risen to a number of more than 44 million.{{cite news | first = Cornelius | last = Pollmer | title = Nummer Eins des Internets: Deutschrap von Cro | date = n.d. | publisher = Südwestdeutsche Medien Holding | url = http://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/blogs/nummereins/1535/nummer-eins-des-internets-deutschrap-von-cro/ | work = Süddeutsche Zeitung | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130530231534/http://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/blogs/nummereins/1535/nummer-eins-des-internets-deutschrap-von-cro/ | archive-date = 30 May 2013 | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | title = Cro unterschreibt bei Universal | date = 23 January 2012 | publisher = Joint Forces Media GmbH | url = http://www.rap.de/news/6183 | work = rap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120817160750/http://www.rap.de/news/6183 | archive-date = 17 August 2012 | url-status = dead }} The American blog hypetrak.com also reported about the video and Cro.{{cite news | first = Petar | last = Kujundzic | title = Cro – Easy | date = 2 December 2011 | publisher = Petar Kujundzic | url = http://hypetrak.com/2011/12/cro-easy/ | work = Hypetrak.com | access-date = 27 July 2012}} German hip hop and funk musician Jan Delay posted the video on his Facebook page and said, Cro was the "future of German rap".{{cite news | title = Exklusiv: Cro – Hi Kids (Audio) | date = 28 November 2011 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2011/11/28/exklusiv-cro-hi-kids-audio/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111202000946/http://meinrap.de/2011/11/28/exklusiv-cro-hi-kids-audio/ | archive-date = 2 December 2011 | url-status = dead }} Besides "Easy", "Hi Kids" and "Kein Benz" were also released prior to the release of the mixtape.{{cite news | title = Cro – Kein Benz (Audio) | date = 5 November 2011 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2011/11/28/exklusiv-cro-hi-kids-audio/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111202000946/http://meinrap.de/2011/11/28/exklusiv-cro-hi-kids-audio/ | archive-date = 2 December 2011 | url-status = dead }} On 1 December 2011, Cro was a guest on the show NeoParadise by the channel ZDFneo, where he performed snippets of three songs from his mixtapes Meine Musik and Easy.{{cite news | title = K.I.Z. und Cro bei NeoParadise (Video) | date = 2 December 2011 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2011/12/02/k-i-z-und-cro-bei-neoparadise-video/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111203214328/http://meinrap.de/2011/12/02/k-i-z-und-cro-bei-neoparadise-video/ | archive-date = 3 December 2011 | url-status = dead }} One day later, Chimperator Productions released the mixtape Easy which is available for free download on their website.{{cite news | first = Sven | last = Romberg | title = Cro: Free-Mixtape, TV Auftritt und die Maske | date = 2 December 2011 | publisher = ManeraMedia GmbH | url = http://www.hiphop.de/magazin/news/detail/2011/12/02/cro-free-mixtape-tv-auftritt-und-die-maske-62012/ | work = hiphop.de | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-date = 11 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121111010820/http://www.hiphop.de/magazin/news/detail/2011/12/02/cro-free-mixtape-tv-auftritt-und-die-maske-62012/ | url-status = dead }}

In the beginning of 2012, Cro signed an author's contract with Universal Music Publishing Group.{{cite news | first = Renzo | last = Wellinger | title = Universal Music Publishing angelt sich Cro / mit Video | date = 23 January 2012 | publisher = Musikmarkt Verlag GmbH, München | url = http://www.musikmarkt.de/Aktuell/News/Universal-Music-Publishing-angelt-sich-Cro-mit-Video | work = Musikmarkt GmbH & Co. KG | access-date = 27 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160321071429/http://www.musikmarkt.de/Aktuell/News/Universal-Music-Publishing-angelt-sich-Cro-mit-Video | archive-date = 21 March 2016 | url-status = dead }} On 27 January 2012, he embarked on a concert tour named "Pandas Gone Wild!", on which he was accompanied by Psaiko.Dino.{{cite news | title = Cro: "Pandas gone wild!"-Tour | date = 22 January 2012 | url = http://www.rappers.in/news-7833-Cro_Pandas_gone_wild-Tour.html | work = rappers.in | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German}} In mid February 2012, the music video for "Easy" gained 1,000,000 views on YouTube.{{cite news | title = Cro knackt mit dem MeinRap.de-Exclusive "Hi Kids" die 1.000.000 Views | date = 16 February 2012 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2012/02/16/cro-knackt-mit-dem-meinrap-de-exclusive-hi-kids-die-1-000-000-views/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120220010433/http://meinrap.de/2012/02/16/cro-knackt-mit-dem-meinrap-de-exclusive-hi-kids-die-1-000-000-views/ | archive-date = 20 February 2012 | url-status = dead }} In mid May the number of the views rose to 3,000,000.{{cite news | title = Cro knackt mit "Hi Kids" die 3.000.000 Klicks | date = 20 April 2012 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2012/04/20/cro-knackt-mit-hi-kids-die-3-000-000-klicks/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120423050441/http://meinrap.de/2012/04/20/cro-knackt-mit-hi-kids-die-3-000-000-klicks/ | archive-date = 23 April 2012 | url-status = dead }} On 23 March 2012, the song "Easy" was released as a single.{{cite news | title = Cro – Easy (Vorbestellung) | date = 3 March 2012 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2012/03/03/cro-easy-vorbestellung/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019162627/http://meinrap.de/2012/03/03/cro-easy-vorbestellung/ | archive-date = 19 October 2013 | url-status = dead }} Besides the Standard version, the Limited Edition version included the songs "Hi Kids", "Lieblingssong", as well as "Konfetti", a collaboration with Ahzumjot and Rockstah.{{cite news | title = Cro – Easy Limited Edition (Vorbestellung) | date = 8 March 2012 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2012/03/08/cro-easy-limited-edition-vorbestellung/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019162631/http://meinrap.de/2012/03/08/cro-easy-limited-edition-vorbestellung/ | archive-date = 19 October 2013 | url-status = dead }} "Easy" entered the German Single Charts on second place.{{cite news | title = Cro und Kool Savas in den Charts | date = 2 April 2012 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2012/04/02/cro-und-kool-savas-in-den-charts/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019160919/http://meinrap.de/2012/04/02/cro-und-kool-savas-in-den-charts/ | archive-date = 19 October 2013 | url-status = dead }}

In June 2012, Cro's single "Easy" was certified gold in Germany. The music video for the single gained 20,000,000 views on YouTube.{{cite news | title = "Easy" von Cro mit Goldener Schallplatte ausgezeichnet | date = 22 June 2012 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2012/06/22/easy-von-cro-mit-goldener-schallplatte-ausgezeichnet/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120834/http://meinrap.de/2012/06/22/easy-von-cro-mit-goldener-schallplatte-ausgezeichnet/ | archive-date = 19 October 2013 | url-status = dead }} From 29 June until 1 July, Cro released one single each day, "Du", "King of Raop", and "Meine Zeit".{{cite news | title = Cro – Drei Singles in drei Tagen (Video) | date = 29 June 2012 | publisher = chb Medien | url = http://meinrap.de/2012/06/29/cro-drei-singles-in-drei-tagen-video/ | work = meinrap.de | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120704002158/http://meinrap.de/2012/06/29/cro-drei-singles-in-drei-tagen-video/ | archive-date = 4 July 2012 | url-status = dead }} Music videos were also filmed for every single. On 6 July, Cro released his debut album, Raop. Mid-July, "Easy", "Hi Kids", "Du", "King of Raop", and "Meine Zeit", all of his five released singles were placed in the Top 100 in the German Single Charts.{{cite news | first = Martina | last = Gabric | title = Charts Deutschland KW 28: Cro mit fünf Singles in den Charts / mit Videos | date = 10 July 2012 | publisher = Musikmarkt Verlag GmbH, München | url = http://www.musikmarkt.de/Aktuell/News/Charts-Deutschland-KW-28-Cro-mit-fuenf-Singles-in-den-Charts-mit-Videos | work = Musikmarkt GmbH & Co. KG | access-date = 30 July 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130105211938/http://www.musikmarkt.de/Aktuell/News/Charts-Deutschland-KW-28-Cro-mit-fuenf-Singles-in-den-Charts-mit-Videos | archive-date = 5 January 2013 | url-status = dead }}

On 7 September 2012, Cro released a free mixtape called Raop which included 16 remixes of songs from his album Raop.{{cite news | title = Cro – Maop | date = 7 September 2012 | publisher = David Wessel | url = http://www.mashup-germany.com/2012/cro-maop/ | work = Mashup-Germany | access-date = 7 September 2012 | language = German}} On 28 September, Cro competed in the Bundesvision Song Contest with his and Die Orsons' song "Horst & Monika" and took the fifth place.{{cite news | title = Bundesvision Song Contest : Die Orsons & Cro holen Platz 5! | date = 29 September 2012 | url = http://www.universal-music.de/die-orsons/news/detail/article:209801/28-september-die-orsons-treten-beim-bundesvision-song-contest-an | work = Universal Music Group | access-date = 29 September 2012 | language = German}} On 19 October 2012, Cro released the track "1 Millionen" through the iTunes and made it available for free download. He dedicated this track to having more than 1 million fans on Facebook.{{cite news | title = 1 Millionen - Single | date = 12 October 2012 | url = https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/1-millionen-single/id564093428 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131106082647/https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/1-millionen-single/id564093428 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 6 November 2013 | work = iTunes Store | access-date = 19 October 2012}} On 21 October, he released a music video to accompany the track.{{cite news | title = Cro - 1 Million (OFFICIAL VERSION) | date = 21 October 2012 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHypYl5pp90 | work = Chimperator Productions | publisher = YouTube | access-date = 21 October 2012}}

On 27 October 2012, Cro released the music video for his fifth single "Einmal um die Welt" which was released on 2 November.{{cite news | title = Cro: Einmal um die Welt (Official Version) | date = 27 October 2012 | publisher = YouTube | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2pySXCmwpc | work = Chimperator Productions | access-date = 27 October 2012 | language = German}}{{cite news | title = Einmal Um Die Welt EP [Single] | year = 2012 | url = https://www.amazon.de/Einmal-Um-Die-Welt-EP/dp/B009SF2I0S/ | work = Amazon.de | access-date = 27 October 2012 | language = German}}{{cite news | title = Einmal um die Welt - Single | year = 2012 | url = https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/einmal-um-die-welt-single/id572883657 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131106082649/https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/einmal-um-die-welt-single/id572883657 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 6 November 2013 | work = iTunes Store | access-date = 27 October 2012 | language = German}} In November, Cro's debut album, Raop and single "Easy" reached platinum status in Germany whereas "Du" was certified gold. In Austria, Raop and "Easy" and in Switzerland, "Easy" were also certified gold.{{cite news | first = Renzo | last = Wellinger | title = Cro: Gold- und Platin-Regen für den Panda-Rapper | date = 9 November 2012 | publisher = Musikmarkt Verlag GmbH | url = http://www.musikmarkt.de/Aktuell/News/Cro-Gold-und-Platin-Regen-fuer-den-Panda-Rapper-mit-Videos | work = Musikmarkt GmbH & Co. KG | access-date = 9 November 2012 | language = German | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141027214428/http://www.musikmarkt.de/Aktuell/News/Cro-Gold-und-Platin-Regen-fuer-den-Panda-Rapper-mit-Videos | archive-date = 27 October 2014 | url-status = dead }} He also won the Bambi award in the category "Pop National".{{cite news|title=Rapper Cro erhält einen Bambi|url=https://www.welt.de/newsticker/news2/article110991988/Rapper-Cro-erhaelt-einen-Bambi.html|access-date=17 November 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=13 November 2012|agency=Axel Springer AG|language=German}} On 6 December, he won the 1LIVE Krone for "Beste Single" for his debut single, "Easy".{{cite web|title=1LIVE Krone - Beste Single|url=http://www.einslivekrone.de/videos/index.jsp?video=/videos/krone2012/show/preistraeger/1live-krone-2012-show-preistraeger-beste-single-cro_web-m.mp4&videol=/videos/krone2012/show/preistraeger/1live-krone-2012-show-preistraeger-beste-single-cro_web-l.mp4&startbild=/bilder/mediendb/1livekrone/videos/krone2012/show/preistraeger/img/1live_krone_2012_show_preistraeger_beste_single_cro_br.jpg|work=einslivekrone.de|publisher=1LIVE/WDR|access-date=7 December 2012|language=German}} He was also named Newcomer of the Year 2012 by iTunes.{{cite web|last=Marquart|first=Oliver|title=Cro ist iTunes Newcomer 2012|url=http://www.rap.de/news/news/12045-cro-ist-itunes-newcomer-2012|work=rap.de|publisher=Joint Forces Media GmbH|access-date=30 December 2012|language=German|date=14 December 2012}} His debut album, Raop was named "Album of the Year" by MTV.{{cite web|title=MTV INTERVIEW CRO - ALBUM DES JAHRES 2012|url=http://www.mtv.de/news/22362-mtv-interview-cro-album-des-jahres-2012|work=MTV.de|publisher=MTV|access-date=27 January 2013|language=German|date=17 January 2013|archive-date=12 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312153356/http://www.mtv.de/news/22362-mtv-interview-cro-album-des-jahres-2012|url-status=dead}}

In March 2013, Cro won a Swiss Music Award in the category "Best Album Urban - International" for his album Raop.{{cite web|title=Swiss Music Awards 2013|url=http://www.swissmusicawards.ch/de/#19-1|work=Swiss Music Awards|access-date=10 February 2013}} Cro has cooperated with H&M and has designed a collection of clothes for men and women which was released on 4 April 2013.{{cite web|title=DESIGN BY CRO: H&M KOOPERIERT MIT DEM DEUTSCHEN RAPPER|url=http://www.artschoolvets.com/news/2013/03/05/design-by-cro-hm-kooperiert-mit-dem-deutschen-rapper/|work=artschoolvets.com|access-date=5 March 2013|language=German|date=5 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310035023/http://www.artschoolvets.com/news/2013/03/05/design-by-cro-hm-kooperiert-mit-dem-deutschen-rapper/|archive-date=10 March 2013|url-status=dead}} On 11 March, H&M and Cro released additional behind-the-scenes images plus an interview.{{cite web|title=BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO & BILDER: CRO FÜR H&M CAPSULE COLLECTION|url=http://www.artschoolvets.com/news/2013/03/11/behind-the-scenes-video-bilder-cro-fur-hm-capsule-collection/|work=artschoolvets.com|language=German|date=11 March 2013|access-date=11 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920191601/http://www.artschoolvets.com/news/2013/03/11/behind-the-scenes-video-bilder-cro-fur-hm-capsule-collection/|archive-date=20 September 2013|url-status=dead}}

File:Mercedes-Benz CLA StreetStyle designed by Cro IMG 0885.jpg

Apart from his music, Cro also works as a designer.{{cite news|year=2011|title=Cro|language=German|work=cromusik.info|url=http://cromusik.info/info/|url-status=dead|access-date=27 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717061425/http://cromusik.info/info/|archive-date=17 July 2012}} In 2010, he founded his own fashion label called VioVio. In 2015, he made a unique design for a Mercedes-Benz CLA which was given as a prize to one of his fans and is now part of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

After the release of his last studio album tru., Cro started showing more of his art in general. On 8 September 2017, he had his first vernissage at the Circle Culture Gallery in Berlin, where he showed several pieces of art, including masks that he colored and self-made paintings.

In 2016, Cro made his first movie titled Unsere Zeit ist jetzt ("Our Time Is Now"), where he was working together with German actor Til Schweiger. The movie started on 6 October 2016 in German cinemas.

Cro does not show his face in public. To protect his privacy, he wears a mask for all musical and media appearances. He has also stated that the masks are to draw attention to his music as opposed to him as a person.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-13 |title=Cro: "Nur wer eine Maske trägt, zeigt sein wahres Gesicht" |url=https://www.redbull.com/de-de/theredbulletin/rapper-cro-interview |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Red Bull |language=de-de}} His first mask was a cut version made out of latex. Since 2014, he has worn an alternate mask made of cotton for some performances. Since the premiere of the video to "Unendlichkeit", Cro has worn a more minimalistic mask that is made of plastic and is fully white.

Since August 13 2020, Cro changed his mask with nearly every new single he released for his album, trip. Currently he has been releasing promotional photos using a “futuristic space mask”, which very vaguely resembles the panda mask he used to wear.

{{Main|Cro discography}}

• Raop (2012)
• Melodie (2014)
• MTV Unplugged (2015)
• tru. (2017)
• trip (2021)
• 11:11 (2022)
• Easy Mixtape (2023)

• Support for Madcon's Glow Tour (2011) (8 shows)
• Pandas Gone Wild! Tour (2012) (10 shows)
• Hip Teens Wear Tight Jeans 2012 Tour (with Rockstah and Ahzumjot, 2012) (17 shows)
• Road to Raop Festival Tour (2012) (20 shows)
• Raop Tour (2012–13) (44 shows)
• Cro Open Air Tour 2013 (2013) (14 shows)
• Mello Tour 2015
• stay tru. tour 2018
• trip is (a)live Tour 2022
• Cronicles Open Air 2025

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.thisisviovio.com/ Vio Vio]

{{Cro (rapper)}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Mutlangen

Category:German male rappers

Category:German record producers

Category:German editorial cartoonists

Category:Masked musicians

Category:Pop rappers