The Universal Music Germany label has suspended its collaboration with Rammstein and its singer Till Lindemann due to allegations of sexual violence against him. In a statement from the company that estimated Der Spiegel, expresses its support and “great respect” for the women who “have spoken out boldly on this matter”.
Previously, the collaboration with Lindemann personally broke the book publishing house Kiepenheuer & Witsch, which had previously published two books by the musician: “In Quiet Nights” (2013) and “100 Poems” (2020).
Universal Music Germany says it is shocked by what is happening. This major label partners with Rammstein under a 20-year contract. He is engaged not only in the musical business of the group, but also in publishing. Under this label, whose parent company is Universal Music Entertainment, Lindemann’s solo single was also released.
“We are convinced that a full explanation of the allegations, including by the authorities, is absolutely necessary and should be in the interest of the whole group. After the allegations became known, we have suspended marketing and record promotion activities for the band (Rammstein) until further notice,” the label said in a statement.
According to Spiegel, a spokeswoman for Universal Music told the publication last week that the label would not yet make any statement about the allegations against the band and its lead singer. “Now the situation has changed,” the magazine says.
At the same time, Rammstein continues to tour, as Universal Music Germany is not responsible for the promotion and merchandising of the group. Spiegel asked Lindemann’s attorney to comment on the record company’s decision, but received no response.
The investigation against the Rammstein soloist is led by the Berlin public prosecutor’s office. Its representatives have previously confirmed that these are allegations “in the area of ​​sex crimes and drug dealing”.
According to Bild, an investigation has been opened against the 60-year-old musician under Article 177 of the German Criminal Code – sexual assault, coercion into sexual relations and/or rape. The maximum penalty it provides for is imprisonment for up to five years. The publication claims that two petitions were filed against Lindemann by women: one went to the Berlin prosecutor’s office, the second to the police.
Spiegel recalled that several women had accused the Rammstein singer of sexual harassment. According to them, during the group’s concerts, young and attractive people were selected from among its fans, after which they were invited to a party after the show. During these parties, according to the victims, there were sexual contacts, including under the influence of drugs.
Shelby Lynn, a 24-year-old Rammstein fan from Northern Ireland, was the first to report such cases. At the end of May, she tweeted that after the band’s recent concert in Vilnius, she attended a similar party, where she was allegedly drugged, and Lindemann allegedly offered to sleep with him. The girl’s tweet states that the morning following the incident, she suffered from nausea and chills, and found bruises on her body, the origin of which she could not remember. At the same time, Lynn claimed she did not file a rape complaint against the musician.
Rammstein’s official Twitter account posted a comment following the girl’s statements: “As for the accusations against us in Vilnius circulating on social networks, we can exclude the possibility that this took place in our surroundings. We are not aware of any official investigation into this.”
German newspaper Welt am Sonntag claims to have been present during the conversation Lithuanian investigators had with Lynn via video link, and it was a “five-hour call”. Nevertheless, following his results, the Lithuanian police decided not to initiate criminal proceedings, wrote the local press. Lynn, having learned of this, filed a complaint and requested access to the minutes of the conversation and other documents.
In the following days, at least ten girls from different countries shared similar stories about Lindemann on social media. In particular, on June 6, 21-year-old actress and blogger Kayla Shyx posted a video message in which she talked about the Rammstein party after the concert in Berlin. According to the girl, the director of the casting group invited her and her friend backstage. They agreed and found themselves in a certain room with black leather sofas, at the entrance of which they were forced to return their smartphones.
“And suddenly I realized: I’m here as a sex object,” Kayla Shyx shared. According to her, eight “zombified girls” sat on the couches, whom Lindemann allegedly “selected” for oral sex during intermission. After that, according to the blogger, she and her friend left the scene, and some of the girls were then taken to Lindemann’s hotel. By mid-June, the “What Really Happens at Rammstein Parties” video had nearly 5 million views.
At the beginning of June, several publications at once – Suddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, Bild and Die Welt – published an investigation in which, according to the girls, it was stated that after the Rammstein concerts the band’s managers had organized parties sex with Lindemann as part of before and after parties. In particular, it was alleged that the leader himself selected the girls from photographs. According to Die Welt, 35-year-old Russian Alena Makeeva was engaged in fan selection.
After that, a new statement appeared on Rammstein’s social media: “The posts of the past few days have caused confusion and questions in the community, especially among our fans. The allegations have affected us all deeply and we take them very seriously. <…> It is important to us that you feel comfortable and safe at our shows <…> and offstage. We condemn any violation. <…> We, the group, also have the right not to be condemned hastily,” the post read.
The Berlin law firm Schertz Bergmann, which represents Lindemann, has vehemently denied the allegations of harassment. “Serious allegations have been made against our client on social media by various women. Thus, it has been repeatedly claimed that during Rammstein concerts, women were injected with drugs through drops or alcohol so that our client could perform sexual acts with them. All of these allegations, without exception, are false,” she said in a statement.
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