Loco Dice – Ice Cold Dealer (feat. Haftbefehl) [Virgin]
ollowing up last month’s hit ‘Road Runner’, Loco Dice returns with his latest single ‘Ice Cold Dealer’, featuring rap-legend Haftbefehl. Out via Virgin Records, this collaboration marks a significant intersection of Loco Dice’s pioneering techno and hip-hop roots, alongside Haftbefehl’s iconic status in the German rap scene. The track brings together two of the most influential figures from their respective worlds, each with a rich legacy that is deeply rooted in Germany’s modern music culture. With a solid hit-streak and an unrivalled lineup of collaborations, ‘Ice Cold Dealer’ is still just the tip of the iceberg on Dice’s massive year ahead.
‘Ice Cold Dealer’ sees Loco Dice return to his early roots, showcasing his hallmark ability to seamlessly blend influences of tech-house and hip-hop. As a young DJ in the early 1990s, Dice honed his skills mixing hip-hop tracks, developing a rhythmic intuition that would later shape his techno productions. This time around, Dice’s signature fusion of genres comes in collaboration with one of Germany’s most beloved and legendary rappers, Haftbefehl, widely known for his multi-platinum hits ‘069’ and ‘RADW’.
n this powerhouse collaboration, ‘Ice Cold Dealer’ opens with a minimal production joined by Haftbefehl’s unmistakably gritty vocals. Just as listeners are met with the opening lyrics, the track pulls them into a low, droning 808 bassline that melts beneath layered claps and uptempo frequencies. By synergistically tapping into both the resurgence of raunchy 00’s party music and heavy UK garage influences, Dice and Haftbefehl have set up ‘Ice Cold Dealer’ to be yet another universally-loved club weapon.
“There aren’t many German rappers who talk about things I can truly relate to. Haftbefehl is one of them. He speaks about the very reality I grew up with on the streets of Germany. The way he raps is the same way we speak in the hood — raw, real, and unfiltered. His music captures the essence of life in urban Germany, particularly in immigrant communities. It’s about crime, survival, family, and the daily struggles of growing up in a tough environment.We came from nothing and faced the same struggles, but we made it. We built something out of all the challenges we had to overcome. It’s the same hustle, the same drive to rise above the odds and create our own path.”
