This week:

Unheilig – Gothic grooves, unplugged

Unheilig are planning to hang up their guitars in 2016 – but to sweeten the deal, the Goth-pop band with frontman “der Graf” put on an MTV Unplugged show. They’ve just released the concert album.

Melting Pop: Singer Chima from Frankfurt

In our Melting Pop series, PopXport introduces German artists with immigrant roots. Chima, whose parents hail from Nigeria, grew up in the German state of Hesse. His music combines the best of both worlds.

Blaakyum at the Wacken Metal Battle 2015

Wacken’s Metal Battle is one of the world’s top contests for emerging hard rock bands. This year Blaakyum from Lebanon were there. Back at home in Lebanon, heavy metal is seen as music for outsiders.

HIT of the Year, No. 4: Sido feat. Andreas Bourani - Astronaut

Berlin rapper Sido teamed up with Andreas Bourani to land the hit of summer 2015. The single “Astronaut” sold more than 415,000 copies.

HIT of the Year, No. 3: Robin Schulz feat. Francesco Yates - Sugar

Robin Schulz’s Deep House sound was huge around the world in 2015. Schulz is one of the most successful German DJs today. The title track of his album “Sugar” sold 475,000 copies.

HIT of the Year, No. 2: Felix Jaehn feat. Jasmine Thompson - Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)

At just 20, Felix Jaehn became a regular on the international charts earlier this year. His cover version of the soul classic “Ain’t Nobody“ sold 680,000 copies.

HIT of the Year, No. 1: OMI - Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)

Felix Jaehn is the first German who has landed on the top of the US singles charts since 1989. His remix of “Cheerleader” sold 5.5 million copies. The original is by Jamaican singer OMI.