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Key Information

Kuba Grabowski (born 7 July 1991), better known by his stage names Quebonafide and Jakub Grabowski,[1] is a Polish rapper, singer and songwriter. He is a member of the duos Yochimu and Taconafide, and the founder of the record label QueQuality.

With over 350 thousand albums sold, he is one of Poland's best-selling rappers. His biggest success thus far – the Soma 0.5 mg album, recorded with the rapper Taco Hemingway – has sold more than 150 thousand copies. Also his solo album Egzotyka proved successful, selling over 150 thousand copies. His albums have repeatedly won the status of platinum, gold and diamond records. The rapper has authored such hits as 'Candy', 'Bubbletea' or 'Tamagotchi'. Five-time nominee for the Fryderyk award, with one victory for Soma 0,5 mg[2] in the Hip-Hop Album of the Year category. In 2018, his album Egzotyka was nominated for Empik Bestseller award in the Polish Music category.[3]

Education

[edit]

He studied philosophy at the University of Warsaw.

Music career

[edit]

2008–2014: Career beginnings

[edit]

Initially, he was a member of the duo Yochimu, together with the rapper and producer Fuso. Since 2008, they have released three albums: Pierwsze cięcie, Drugie cięcie and Flow witam.[4][5][6] In 2012, he took part in several freestyle battles. Over time, he captured the attention of the hip-hop community.[7] He won the Battle for the End of the World and was a finalist in the Grand Battle of Warsaw. He also ranked second in the Raciąż Freestyle Battle and the Battle of September.[7] In 2013, he earned popularity by releasing Eklektyka mixtape on 31 July, with the SB Maffija label.[8] The mixtape gave Quebo recognition in the Polish hip-hop community, and translated into invitations to concert tours with SB Maffija. More and more often he was featured as a guest rapper, and eventually on 18 November 2013 he released the single 'Tarot' with the guest appearance of Justyna Kuśmierczyk, followed by the unlicensed 'Album of the Year' released on 31 December 2013 together with the rapper Eripe. The album enjoyed a positive response from the audience.[8] In 2014, Quebonafide became even more popular after appearing on Pawbeats's Utopia, on the track 'Euforia'.[8] The song was broadcast on RMF, Eska, Polskie Radio Szczecin and Polskie Radio Trójka radio stations, reached the 3rd position on the RMF Hop Bęc chart.

2014–2015: Ezoteryka

[edit]

In 2014, he released the single 'Żadnych zmartwień' featuring Kuban and Kuba Knap, thus announcing his first official album.[8] On 1 April 2014, the second single 'Hype' was released. On 15 July, he published the 'Hype' video and founded the QueQuality label together with a clothing store,[9] and on 28 July, the third single 'Ciernie' was released, with a guest appearance by Deys.[10] The next singles were Carnival (release date 19 November)[11] and 'Trip' (2 December 2014).[12] On 20 December, during the rapper's concert in the Warsaw-based niePowiem club, the rapper known as Pih forced his way onto the stage and, grabbed a microphone and shouted, "This is not hip-hop and never will be!", after which he was escorted off the stage security staff.[13] On 22 December 2014, Quebo's album was illegally published online in an unfinished version, due to producers' negligence.[14] Despite attempts to remove the tracks from the Internet, the album remained available for download.[14] On 17 February 2015, the pre-sale of the album began, the date of its release was revealed, and the rapper announced that the Erotyka[15] mixtape will be added to the album. Also on 17 February, four singles premiered: 'Voodoo', 'Kyrie Eleison' featuring Guzior, 'Powszechny i śmiertelny', and 'Ile Mogłem' with the guest appearance of K-Leah.[16]

His debut album entitled Ezoteryka was released on 27 March 2015, becoming no. 1 of Poland's Official Sales Chart (OLiS).[17] With over 15 thousand copies sold, it received a gold record award.[18] The album was nominated for the title of the 2015 Polish Rap Album of the Year in the WuDoo and Hip-hop.pl plebiscite. The single from the 'Hype' album was nominated for the 2014 Sztos award and the 2014 Polish Rap Single by WuDoo and Hip-hop.pl. After the album's release, the rapper went on his first tour entitled Ezoteryka Tour.[19] The album was ranked 41 st best-selling record in Poland.[20] On 2 December 2015, the rapper recorded a minialbum with rapper Białas, making it available free of charge on YouTube.[21] The CD version was included in the pre-sale of Białas' album Rehab. Initially released in one thousand copies, the minialbum went up to 3 thousand copies due to high interest.

2015–2018: Egzotyka

[edit]

On 1 April 2015, Quebo revealed that his new album would be entitled Egzotyka, with each song describing a different part of the world, including a music video recorded in a given region. On 18 November 2015, the first single 'Oh my Buddha'[22] was released, with a video made in Thailand, followed by the second single 'Quebahombre' (on 18 February 2016) with a video recorded in Mexico.[23] The song reached the 14 th place in the RMF radio charts.[24] On 17 May 2016, two singles were released: 'Szejk' and 'Bollywood', with the guest appearance of Czesław Mozil, the former shot in Dubai and the latter in India.[25][26] On 17 June 2016, the Hip-hop 2.0 compilation album of the QueQuality label was issued, making its debut on the 3 rd place of the OLiS chart.[27][28] On 10 July 2016, the album's fifth single, 'Luís Nazário de Lima', was released with a video recorded in Brazil.[29]

Rapper during the Ekodiesel Tour in 2018.

On 27 October 2016, Quebo released the single 'Madagascar', with a clip shot in Madagascar.[30] The song reached the 1st place in the Hip-hop.tv station's charts.[31] On 11 November, he made a guest appearance with the African rapper iFani in 'Sushi Dip', which was broadcast on MTV.[32] On 11 April 2017, he released a single ''Changa' featuring rapper iFani, with a video shot in South Africa.[33] On the same day, the pre-sale of the album began, the date of the album's release was announced and the album's cover with the tracklist was presented.[34]

On 18 April 2017, another single 'C'est la vie' was released, together with a clip recorded in Paris, and on 28 April, yet another single 'Zorza' shot in Iceland. The song reached the first place in Hip-hop.tv station's charts.[35] On 2 May, Quebo released the single 'Między słowami' together with the Canadian rapper Young Lungs, with a video shot in Japan. A week later, he presented the single 'Arabska noc' with guest appearances by rappers Solar and Wac Toja, with a video recorded in Morocco. On 16 May, he released the single 'To nie jest hip-hop' featuring the American rapper KRS-One, together with a video shot in the United States. A week later, on 23 May, he presented the single 'Bumerang' shot in Australia, and on 6 June, the single 'Odyseusz' with a video made in Poland; thus the entire album was released as singles.

The album was pre-ordered by 30 000 people, thus gaining a platinum status.[36] It debuted as no. 1 best-selling album in Poland in OLiS charts and remained in 1 st place for three weeks.[37][38][39] It was also the best-selling album in Poland in June and the second best-selling album in July 2017.[40][41] The pre-ordered album was accompanied by mixtapes 'For male fans of Eklektyka EP' and 'For female fans of Euforia EP' enclosed according to gender.[36] On 30 August, Quebo released a minialbum entitled No To Bajka EP, recorded with producer Matheo.[42] The leading theme of the album are elements from Disney stories.[43] The whole edition sold out in record time – less than an hour.[44] Egzotyka was Poland's best-selling album in 2017 and was nominated for 2017 Empik Bestsellers[45][3] award in the category of Polish Music. The rapper was not nominated for the 2018 Fryderyk awards for Egzotyka in the 'Hip-Hop Album of the Year' category, which was widely criticised in the media and social media.[46][47]

2018–2019: Taconafide, original book and a career break

[edit]

In October 2017, Quebo announced a temporary suspension of social media presence. As he explained in an interview, this was expected to help him work on his new album.[48] In 2018, the media reported that the artist was to record a joint album with the rapper Taco Hemingway.[49] In March 2018, the rumours were confirmed by the rappers themselves.[50] On 16 March 2018, the QueQuality YouTube channel featured the first single 'Art-B' promoting the joint album, and revealed the name of the album, SOMA 0.5 mg, the premiere being scheduled for 13 April 2018, with pre-order on a dedicated website.[51] Within a few hours after its release, the song reached the first place on YouTube's 'Trending' tab. The artists decided to release the album under the name Taconafide, as a combination of their stage names. They announced a joint tour promoting the album in Poland, called Ekodiesel Tour.[52] On 22 March 2018, they released their second single 'Tamagotchi' together with a video. The song broke Ed Sheeran's record in the category of Spotify's most-streamed singles in Poland.[53] For a week, the song was a number 1 hit of YouTube's ';Trending' tab, reaching over 2 million views in 24 hours. On 27 March, the rappers revealed extras to the limited edition along with mysterious graphics announcing guest appearances on the bonus album.[54] On 1 April, they released the entire tracklist of the main album and the bonus called 0,25 mg. They also revealed the names of producers and guests on the bonus CD: Bedoes, Kękę, Paluch, Kaz Bałagane, Dawid Podsiadło and Białas. On 4 April, they released another single, 'Metallica 808', and five days later, a single 'Kryptowaluty' with a video. On 13 April, the album Soma 0,5 mg premiered. A few days later, the bonus material entitled 0,25 mg was also made available on streaming services[55] and artists' YouTube channels.

Quebonafide with Taco Hemingway in 2018.

The album made its debut on the 1st place of Poland's Official Sales Chart (OLiS), selling over 30 000 copies and gaining the status of a platinum record.[56][57] It was also the best-selling album in Poland in April and May 2018.[58] On 4 July, the album was awarded double platinum status for selling 60 000 copies. It was also the best-selling album of the first half of the year in Poland.[59] On 6 July, the rappers performed at the Open'er Festival in Gdynia, earlier having announced that it would be their last concert as a duo.[60] According to media reports, the rappers attracted an audience of several dozen thousand, comparable to the evening's star Gorillaz, making it the largest audience for a Polish performer in the history of Open'er.[61][62][63]

On 8 September 2018, Quebonafide announced a career break because of the death of Mac Miller – a very important person in his life to whom, as Quebo noted in his post, heowes who he is, "A person without whom all the things in my life would never exist". On 13 October, during the Quefestival in Katowice, he received a triple platinum certificate for selling over 90 000 copies of Egzotyka.[64] On 19 October 2019, during the Quefestival in Katowice, he received a diamond status certificate for selling over 150 000 copies of Egzotyka. Also in 2019, the Soma 0.5 mg reached a diamond status.[65] On 28 September 2019, Quebo made a guest appearance at Dawid Podsiadło and Taco Hemingway's concert at the sold-out National Stadium in Warsaw.[66]

2020–2021: Romantic Psycho and an original documentary

[edit]
Main article: Romantic Psycho

On 7 February 2020, the first single entitled 'Romantic Psycho' was released, featuring Taco Hemingway, where the rapper comes to terms with the past.[67] On 10 February, another single 'Jesień' was released, accompanied by a video – in a similarly depressive mood, with the guest appearance of Natalia Szroeder. It also launched the pre-sale of the album Romantic Psycho.[68] In the video and on the cover of the album, the rapper showed a completely different image – the characteristic tattoos disappeared from his body, and the overall appearance resembled that of his college days. On 15 February 2020, the musician performed on the morning show Dzień Dobry TVN, where he presented the new image. Usually known for his crazy and explosive character, the rapper introduced himself as a quiet and shy guy.[69] He also announced his tour promoting the album Romantic Psycho Experience, calling it an 'experience' rather than a tour.[70] The artist also announced his participation in Ten to One show and an appearance in Kuba Wojewódzki's talk show.[71] Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the tour as well as the production of shows featuring the rapper were postponed.[72] The musician also posted his new image on the Instagram, with comical photos contrasting with his former style.[73]

On 13 March, the third single 'Przytobie' was released, where the rapper criticised Polish stand-up comedians, celebrities and divisions in the Polish hip-hop community.[74] The premiere of the album was originally announced for 20 March, but after a few days Quebo admitted a mistake and announced that the album would be released on 27 March 2020.[75] On 27 March, the album was issued, receiving very negative reviews, while the tracks sounded as if they had not been properly completed.[76]

On 1 April 2020, a single entitled 'Szubienicapestycydybroń' was released, with a music video in which Quebonafide abandons the shy boy's style and tattoos reappear on his body. The single addresses actor Sebastian Fabijański, among others, and between the second verse and the chorus there is a fragment mocking talk shows. Janusz Chabior, as the host, tried interview Quebo.[77] Thus, it is revealed that the first album was only a limited bonus and the actual album began to reach the audience and appeared on streaming platforms. The album was published in two versions. The first one – Japanese[78] – with three additional tracks, available to order from the rapper's website. The second – European – available for purchase in all music shops.[79]

Romantic Psycho made its debut on the first place of the OLiS chart, and Quebo scooped top three positions, with Egzotyka in second place and Ezoteryka ranking third. A total of Quebo's five albums made it to the OLiS charts at the same time. Only Taco Hemingway has had more – seven.[80] Romantic Psycho topped the charts five times, which is a historical result in Polish hip-hop.[81][82] Like the two previous albums (Egzotyka and Soma 0,5 mg), the new record sold 30 000 copies even before the official release, gaining a platinum status.[83] The official platinum album certificate was awarded on 30 April 2020, and on 13 August a double platinum status was reached for over 60 000 copies sold.[84] It was also Poland's best-selling album in April, and the second best-selling album in May.[85][86] The record also enjoyed high streaming results – each track has over one million views on YouTube ('Bubbletea' with 31 million views and 'Szubienicapestycydybroń' with 19 million). As part of the promotion campaign, the rapper released a documentary entitled Quebonafide: Romantic Psycho Film, presenting the creative process behind the new album and the backstage of the promotional campaign.[87] The film was screened in cinemas and tickets sold out in pre-orders.

Later in 2020 and 2021 he released standalone singles: 'Teen Kasia', 'Matcha Latte', and 'Utwór z okazji dwóch milionów na Spotify'.[88][89][90] He was also featured on Tommy Cash's 'Benz Dealer', Mata's 'Papuga', and Kinny Zimmer's 'Beanz Dealer'.[91][92][93]

2021–2022: MISS TI 蒂小姐 and alter ego Jakub Grabowski

[edit]

On February 9, 2022, Quebonafide and DJ and producer Forxst launched the Miss Ti 蒂小姐 project. It is a brand of vegan matcha latte and milk tea, which firstly appeared in the offer of Lidl store.[94]

On June 5, 2022, Quebonafide released a song called 'Refren trochę jak Lana Del Rey'.[95] Along with the release of the song, he tweeted that he no longer has anything planned as a Quebonafide, however, we can still expect the singles he's been recording for the past 24 months to be released in a more messy mixtape form.[96] He also wrote, "starting in September, I'm going to start medical school, devote myself to academics, healthy food production and the MISS TI 蒂小姐 concept, playing the piano and most importantly gluing this whole conglomerate of items together."[95][96]

On August 23, 2022, he released a song called 'Mój przykry life (Jakub On Stage)' adopting a new stage name – Jakub Grabowski.[1][97][98]

On October 11, 2022, he and other artists participating in SB Starter competition released a song called 'Łapacz snów'.[99]

2024–2025: the single “Futurama 3 (fanserwis)”, the album and film Północ / Południe, and the final concert

[edit]

On 21 November 2024, he released the single “Futurama 3 (fanserwis)” along with a music video directed by Andrzej Dragan.[100][101] The song reached the number one position on the OLiS – single w streamie chart[102] and was awarded the Fryderyk Award 2025 in the category of Hip Hop Single of the Year.[103]

On 26 June 2025, a ticketed online broadcast of the musical film Północ / Południe was held, in which he performed and presented new songs.[104] The television premiere of the film is scheduled for November 22, 2025 on Canal+.[105] On 27 and 28 June 2025, he played two farewell concerts at the stadium PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.[106][107] On 4 July 2025, he released the studio album Północ / Południe.[108]

Activities outside music

[edit]

On 12 September 2016, he acted as a sports commentator on the Canal+ Sport channel.[109] In August 2018, he joined the KTS Weszło Warsaw football club.[110] He appeared in an ad promoting a new clothing campaign of Nike (2017). In spring 2019, together with Kuba Stemplowski, he published a book entitled 'Egzotyka. Wywiad-rzeka', describing the rapper's journey through the 70 countries he visited while working on his album Egzotyka.[111]

On 1 April 2020, Quebonafide was a guest of Kuba Wojewódzki in his show '250m² of Kuba Wojewódzki'. In an interview, Kuba talked about his career break, his life in quarantine and about the album Romantic Psycho. On 3 April 2020, he was a guest of Tomasz Smokowski on the YouTube 'Sports Channel, where he answered questions from the host and from the audience – mainly about his musical activity and passion for sports.

He appeared in the show 'Creeps' of Ciechanowska Telewizja Kablowa (CTK), where he earned 1 million PLN from the Allegro platform. All the income from the campaign and the income from the sale of his clothing collection at allegro.pl was allocated for the purchase of instruments for children from a brass band in Ciechanów, as well as for supporting an animal shelter in Pawłowo, for the purchase of equipment for non-invasive breathing support in newborns at the Specialist Hospital in Ciechanów, for renovation and furnishing of the Society of Children's Friends in Ciechanów, and for supporting the foundation 'Giving strength to children'.

In the first half of 2022 he signed his Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok profiles with a pseudonym 'vetulani'.[112][113][114][115][116][117]

Private life

[edit]

He was in an eleven-year relationship with Roksana, with whom he later got engaged. He dedicated several songs to her, including 'Love', 'Candy' or 'Bogini', the latter accompanied by a video of the artist together with his partner in an erotic setting.[118] Used to be in a relationship with polish singer Natalia Szroeder,[119] who has made guest appearances in such Quebonafide songs as 'JESIEŃ' or 'TĘSKNIEZASTARYMKANYE'.

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Five nominations for the Fryderyk Award, with one victory in the Hip-Hop Album of the Year for Soma 0,5 mg.[2] Two nominations for the Empik Bestseller[3] award in the Polish Music category for Soma 0.5 mg and Egzotyka. Three nominations for Onet's Best title and twelve nominations in the WuDoo/Hip-Hop plebiscite, including one victory for Soma 0.5 mg.

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
POL
[120]
Pierwsze cięcie (with Fuso as Yochimu)
Drugie cięcie (with Fuso as Yochimu)
  • Released: 20 August 2010
  • Type: bootleg
Eklektyka
Płyta roku (with Eripe)
Ezoteryka 1
Egzotyka
  • Released: 9 June 2017
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: CD, LP, DVD, digital download
 1
Soma 0,5 mg (with Taco Hemingway as Taconafide)
  • Released: 13 July 2018
  • Label: Taconafidex
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
 1
Romantic Psycho
  • Released: 1 April 2020
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: CD, digital download
 1
Północ / Południe OST
  • Released: 4 July 2025
  • Label: Magnetowid
  • Format: CD, box set, digital download
 1

Compilation album

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
POL
[120]
Hip-Hop 2.0
  • Released: 17 June 2015
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: CD
 3

EPs

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
POL
[120]
Flow Witam EP (with Fuso as Yochimu)
  • Released: 20 July 2012
  • Type: bootleg
Demówka EP (with Białas)
  • Released: 4 December 2015
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: CD, digital download
Dla Fanów Eklektyki

(Egzotyka bonus CD)

  • Released: 9 June 2017
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: CD, digital download
 10
Dla Fanek Euforii

(Egzotyka bonus CD)

16
No To Bajka EP (with Matheo)
  • Released: 30 August 2017
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: CD
0,25 mg EP (with Taco Hemingway as Taconafide)

(Soma 0,5 mg bonus CD)

  • Released: 13 April 2018
  • Label: Taconafidex
  • Format: Bonus CD, digital download
 44
Wschód / Zachód EP

(Północ / Południe preorder bonus)

  • Released: 4 July 2025
  • Label: Magnetowid
  • Format: Bonus CD in preordered box set

Mixtapes

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
POL
[120]
Erotyka
  • Released: 27 March 2015
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: CD, digital download
Elektryka

(Hip-hop 2.0 preorder bonus)

  • Released: 17 June 2016
  • Label: QueQuality
  • Format: Bonus CD, digital download
Krętacz z Ciechanowa

(Północ / Południe preorder bonus)

  • Released: 4 July 2025
  • Label: Magnetowid
  • Format: Bonus CD in preordered box set

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
POL
[127]
„Żadnych zmartwień" (with Kuban, Kuba Knap) 2014 — Ezoteryka
„Hype" —
„Ciernie" (with Deys) —
„Trip" —
„Voodoo" 2015 —
„Ile mogłem" (with K-Leah) —
„Oh My Buddha" 2016 — Egzotyka
„Quebahombre" —
„Szejk" —
„Bollywood" (with Czesław Mozil) —
„Luís Nazário de Lima" —
„Madagaskar" —
„Changa" (with iFani) 2017 —
„C’est la Vie" —
„Zorza" —
„Między słowami" (with Young Lungs) —
„Arabska noc" (with Solar, Wac Toja) —
„To nie jest hip-hop" (with KRS-One) —
„Hypebea" (with Sfera Ebbasta) —
„Bumerang" —
„Kawa i Xanax" (with PlanBe) —
„Odyseusz" —
„Candy" (with Klaudia Szafrańska) 44
"Art-B" (with Taco Hemingway as Taconafide) 2018 — Soma 0,5 mg
"Tamagotchi" (with Taco Hemingway as Taconafide) 22
"Metallica 808" (with Taco Hemingway as Taconafide) —
"Kryptowaluty" (with Taco Hemingway as Taconafide) —
„Romanticpsycho" (with Taco Hemingway) 2020 — Romantic Psycho
„Jesień" (with Natalia Szroeder) —
„Przytobie" —
„Szubienicapestycydybroń" 39
„Bubbletea" (with Daria Zawiałow) 7
„Teen Kasia" — non-album singles
„Matcha latte" (with Mick Jenkins) —
„Refren trochę jak Lana Del Rey" 2022 —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
POL
[127]
ReTo – „Sorry Dolores" (with Quebonafide) 2018 37 BOA
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Quebonafide

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Quebonafide (born Kuba Grabowski; July 7, 1991) is a Polish rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from Ciechanów, Mazowieckie Voivodeship. He began his career in 2008 as part of the hip-hop duo Yochimu alongside producer Fuso, releasing three albums before pursuing solo endeavors. Quebonafide founded the independent record label QueQuality in 2013, the same year he achieved breakthrough success with his debut solo mixtape Eklektyka, which established his reputation as a leading figure in Polish hip-hop. His subsequent solo albums, including Ezoteryka (2015), Egzotyka (2017), Romantic Psycho (2020), and PÓŁNOC / POŁUDNIE (2025), frequently topped the Polish OLiS charts, with Ezoteryka receiving platinum certification from ZPAV and Egzotyka, Romantic Psycho, and PÓŁNOC / POŁUDNIE earning diamond certifications for exceeding 150,000 units sold each. Notable for his introspective lyrics blending hip-hop, pop, and electronic influences, Quebonafide has also collaborated extensively, most prominently with rapper Taco Hemingway in the duo Taconafide; their 2018 album Soma 0.5 mg similarly earned diamond status and became one of Poland's top-selling rap records. In 2025, following the release of his final project PÓŁNOC / POŁUDNIE and farewell concerts at PGE Narodowy, Quebonafide announced his retirement from music.

Early life

Family background

Kuba Grabowski, professionally known as Quebonafide, was born on July 7, 1991, in Ciechanów, Poland, into a working-class family that faced financial hardships. His parents were not affluent; his father earned a living by selling illegal CDs at the Stadion Dziesięciolecia market in Warsaw, a common informal trade spot in the post-communist era, while his mother operated a small lingerie shop to support the household. This modest economic background shaped a childhood marked by limited resources and everyday struggles in the small town of Ciechanów, located about 60 kilometers north of Warsaw. Grabowski's family dynamics were strained and dysfunctional, primarily due to conflicts involving his father, who was often absent and contributed to a tense home environment. He grew up primarily under his mother's care, with the father's presence evoking memories of instability and fear, as later reflected in his song "Zorza," where he describes hiding behind a sofa during family disputes. Despite these challenges, the close bond with his mother provided a foundation of resilience. Grabowski has spoken about this period as one of loneliness and emotional pain, which influenced his introspective worldview, though the family emphasized perseverance amid adversity. Grabowski encountered the Polish underground hip-hop scene through local influences and media, sparking his initial interest in the genre amid the cultural shifts following Poland's EU accession. This exposure, combined with the creative outlets available in his resource-limited environment, laid the groundwork for his artistic development, though specific childhood pursuits like drawing or writing remain undocumented in public accounts. The familial emphasis on self-reliance ultimately transitioned into his formal schooling in Ciechanów, where he began channeling personal experiences into broader expressions.

Education

Kuba Grabowski, professionally known as Quebonafide, was born and raised in Ciechanów, Poland, where he attended primary and secondary schools from approximately ages 6 to 18. He completed his secondary education in Ciechanów, passing the matura examination, which qualified him for higher education. In around 2010, following high school, Grabowski briefly enrolled at the University of Warsaw to pursue studies in philosophy and sociology. These programs aligned with his emerging intellectual interests but were ultimately left incomplete as he prioritized his developing career in music production and rap.

Music career

Early years (2008–2014)

Quebonafide, whose real name is Kuba Grabowski, entered the Polish hip-hop scene in 2008 by forming the duo Yochimu alongside rapper and producer Fuso. The pair quickly established themselves in the underground circuit, releasing two collaborative albums: Pierwsze cięcie in 2009 and Drugie cięcie in 2010, followed by the EP Flow witam in 2012. These projects featured raw, introspective lyrics over straightforward beats, helping to build a niche following among Warsaw's emerging rap enthusiasts. Although Taco Hemingway would later become a key collaborator in Quebonafide's career, the duo's early work predated such partnerships and focused on honing their collective sound without external affiliations. In the early 2010s, Quebonafide transitioned toward solo endeavors while maintaining an independent ethos. He adopted the stage name "Quebonafide," which can be interpreted as "Kuba in good faith" to reflect personal branding rooted in authenticity and introspection. This period saw him self-releasing material, including his debut solo project Eklektyka in 2013, which showcased eclectic influences and marked a shift from group dynamics to individual expression. Underground performances in Warsaw clubs, such as intimate sets at local venues, became a staple, allowing him to connect directly with fans through freestyles and live energy that emphasized lyrical dexterity over polished production. Quebonafide's early production style fused traditional boom bap rhythms—characterized by hard-hitting drums and sampled loops—with subtle pop sensibilities, such as melodic hooks and accessible tempos, to broaden appeal beyond strict hip-hop purists. His background in philosophy at the University of Warsaw equipped him with self-production skills, enabling DIY recording and mixing that kept costs low during this indie phase. Initial fanbase growth occurred organically via social media platforms like Facebook and early YouTube uploads, where tracks from Yochimu and solo demos garnered shares within Warsaw's youth scene, laying the groundwork for wider recognition without major promotional support.

Ezoteryka breakthrough (2014–2015)

In 2014, Quebonafide signed with his own independent label, QueQuality, which he had founded the previous year, marking a shift toward greater artistic control following his early mixtapes. This partnership enabled the production and distribution of his debut studio album, Ezoteryka, released on March 27, 2015. The album debuted at No. 1 on Poland's Official Sales Chart (OLiS), holding the top position in its first week and remaining on the chart for 11 weeks thereafter. It later achieved platinum certification from ZPAV for over 30,000 units sold. Ezoteryka explores themes of introspection, romantic love, and esoteric mysticism, blending personal reflection with wordplay and emotional depth across its 18 tracks, including a bonus mixtape Erotyka. Standout songs such as "Candy," which features a melodic hook emphasizing fleeting relationships, and "Sarcastyczny chłopak," delving into self-deprecating humor and emotional vulnerability, exemplify the album's introspective tone. Collaborations with artists like K-Leah on "Ile mogłem" and Guzior on "Kyrie Eleison" add layers of dialogue on youth and existential struggles, while producers including Chris Carson and Soulpete contribute diverse beats ranging from trap-influenced energy to soulful undertones. The album's promotion included a premiere concert in Wrocław on March 1, 2015, and a series of music videos that highlighted striking visual aesthetics, such as the colorful, narrative-driven clip for "Candy" evoking dreamlike esotericism. Critically, Ezoteryka received mixed reviews for its technical prowess in flow and lyricism but was critiqued for occasional pretentiousness; nonetheless, it sold over 15,000 copies by September 2015, earning a gold certification and generating early awards buzz, including nominations at the 2015 Fryderyki for Best Urban Music Album. This commercial success, building on his underground mixtape foundations, positioned Quebonafide as a prominent figure in Polish rap.

Egzotyka period (2015–2018)

Following the success of his debut album Ezoteryka, Quebonafide announced Egzotyka on April 1, 2015, positioning it as a thematic sequel that would explore global cultures through music. The buildup spanned over two years, during which he traveled to more than 70 countries, drawing inspiration from these experiences to craft an album blending introspective lyrics with exotic sonic elements. Released on June 9, 2017, via QueQuality, Egzotyka consists of 14 tracks, each evoking a distinct location or cultural motif, such as Eastern spirituality in "Oh My Buddha" or South American vibes in "Luis Nazario de Lima." Standout tracks like "Ogniste Anioły," featuring The Return, and "Bubbletea 2," with Wac Toja, highlight Quebonafide's evolution toward more experimental trap beats and collaborative storytelling. The album's artwork, designed by Damian Dideńko, features vibrant, surreal imagery of the artist amid tropical and fantastical landscapes, symbolizing personal transformation and self-discovery amid worldly exploration. This narrative arc ties the project to themes of growth, reflecting Quebonafide's journey from introspection in Ezoteryka to broader, outward-facing maturity. To promote Egzotyka, Quebonafide embarked on an extensive tour in 2017–2018, performing in major Polish cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk, as well as select European venues including Berlin and London. The tour emphasized immersive stage designs with global motifs, enhancing the album's exotic aesthetic. Complementing this, Quebonafide launched a merchandise line through QueQuality, including themed apparel such as tiger-print hoodies and travel-inspired T-shirts that echoed the album's visual and cultural motifs. Commercially, Egzotyka achieved triple platinum certification in Poland by October 2017, surpassing 90,000 units sold and becoming the year's best-selling album. Its fusion of trap production with alternative rap elements, incorporating international samples and multilingual flows, significantly influenced the Polish hip-hop scene, popularizing a more genre-blending, globally minded approach among emerging trap artists.

Taconafide collaboration and hiatus (2018–2019)

In early 2018, following the success of Quebonafide's solo album Egzotyka, he teamed up with fellow Polish rapper Taco Hemingway to form the duo Taconafide, a portmanteau of their stage names. The collaboration was announced in March 2018, blending their distinct styles of introspective lyricism and trap-influenced production. Their debut single, "Art-B," was released on March 16, 2018, followed by the lead single "Tamagotchi" on March 22, 2018, which quickly topped Polish charts and amassed millions of streams. The duo's joint album, Soma 0,5 mg, arrived on April 13, 2018, via Taconafidex, featuring 15 tracks that explored themes of fame, relationships, and existential anxiety through collaborative verses and shared production credits. The record debuted at number one on Poland's Official Sales Chart (OLiS) and was later certified diamond for exceeding 150,000 units sold, marking one of the biggest commercial successes in Polish hip-hop at the time. To promote the album, Taconafide embarked on the Ekodiesel Tour, a seven-date arena run across major Polish cities including Kraków, Warsaw, and Wrocław from April to May 2018, where they delivered high-energy performances fusing Quebonafide's melodic flows with Taco Hemingway's narrative-driven raps, often incorporating elaborate stage visuals and live band elements. The project concluded swiftly, with the duo's final performance as Taconafide taking place on July 6, 2018, at the Open'er Festival in Gdynia, where they drew one of the largest crowds for a Polish act in the event's history and explicitly announced it as their last joint show. This short-lived partnership, spanning just months, highlighted the duo's chemistry but was framed from the outset as a one-off endeavor rather than an ongoing group. In the wake of the collaboration, Quebonafide announced an indefinite career hiatus on September 8, 2018, via social media, citing the recent death of influential American rapper Mac Miller as a profound personal loss that prompted deep reflection. Miller, whom Quebonafide had frequently cited as a key inspiration, died on September 7, 2018, from an accidental overdose, leaving Quebonafide to express that it felt "as if a part of me had died," signaling the emotional toll and need for time away from music. This break extended into 2019, allowing space for introspection amid emerging personal challenges.

Romantic Psycho return (2020–2021)

Following his hiatus, which served as a period of personal recharge, Quebonafide re-emerged with his fourth studio album, Romantic Psycho, released on March 26, 2020, through his independent label QueQuality. The project delves into introspective themes of romance, psychedelia, and emotional recovery, drawing from the artist's experiences during his break and marking a departure from previous works toward deeper self-reflection. Produced with a mix of Polish and international collaborators, the album incorporates sonic influences from Quebonafide's travels across Russia and Mongolia, blending hip-hop, pop-rap, and experimental elements to create a psychedelic atmosphere. Standout tracks include the lead single "ROMANTICPSYCHO" featuring Taco Hemingway, which sets a moody, collaborative tone with its trap-infused beats, and "BUBBLETEA," a reflective piece highlighting the artist's evolving sound through melodic flows and atmospheric production, with lyrics referencing altered states such as "Lasery w oczach, trip na kacu" (lasers in eyes, trip on a hangover). Other notable contributions come from producers like DJ Krime and FORXST, emphasizing layered instrumentation that evokes vulnerability and introspection. The album's 16 tracks, spanning 59 minutes in its standard edition, achieved immediate commercial success, debuting at number one on Poland's official OLiS sales chart and ultimately earning diamond certification from ZPAV for over 150,000 units sold. To promote the release, Quebonafide issued the documentary Quebonafide: Romantic Psycho Film on September 4, 2020, directed by himself and produced by Red Bull Media House, which chronicles the album's development amid his Asian expedition for creative inspiration. The film offers rare glimpses into the recording sessions and thematic evolution, underscoring the project's personal stakes. Fan reception praised the album's shift to a more exposed lyrical approach, with emotional tracks resonating for their raw honesty, though some noted its experimental nature divided opinions on cohesion. Overall, Romantic Psycho solidified Quebonafide's status as a versatile artist, selling over 150,000 copies and topping Poland's year-end charts for 2020.

Alter egos and experimentation (2021–2023)

Following the release of Romantic Psycho, Quebonafide began exploring new artistic identities, introducing the MISS TI 蒂小姐 persona in 2021 as part of a broader creative shift inspired by Asian pop culture and aesthetics. This alter ego, tied to a vegan beverage brand offering matcha lattes and milk teas, represented a departure from traditional hip-hop tropes, incorporating elements of electronic production and visual experimentation in associated projects. The persona debuted with the track "MISS TI" featuring Apollo, which blended rap verses with electronic beats to evoke a playful, cross-cultural vibe. In 2022, Quebonafide further experimented by adopting his real name, Jakub Grabowski, as a stage alter ego for live performances and releases, diverging from mainstream hip-hop norms toward more introspective and nostalgic sounds. Under this guise, he debuted the single "Mój przykry lajf," a cover of Mattifix's "Big City Life" with adapted lyrics reflecting his early career struggles, performed during the "Jakub on Stage" series at events like the Polish Hip-Hop Festival in Płock and the Mega Hip-Hop Tour. These shows featured stripped-down arrangements and authentic, community-focused visuals, emphasizing raw emotional delivery over polished production. Critics praised the boundary-pushing approach for its vulnerability and revival of pre-fame energy, with newonce.net highlighting how it connected with audiences through genuine storytelling. The period also saw collaborations that amplified gender-fluid and eccentric aesthetics, notably the 2021 single "Benz-Dealer" with Tommy Cash, which fused industrial hip-hop and trap with surreal visuals of luxury and excess. Directed by Sebastian Pańczyk, the video showcased bold, non-conformist imagery aligned with Cash's post-Soviet, gender-bending style, earning acclaim for its innovative fusion of rap and electronic elements. Publications like Hypebeast noted the track's experimental edge as a high point in Quebonafide's evolving sound. By 2023, Quebonafide transitioned back to his primary identity, releasing tracks like "Sniffing Gas" featuring Omega Sapien and "same zmartwienia" with Kuban and Favst, which teased the introspective themes of his impending final era while building on the experimental foundations of the prior years. These works received positive reception for bridging his alter egos' innovations with core hip-hop roots.

Final releases and retirement (2024–2025)

In 2024, Quebonafide released the single "Futurama 3 (fanserwis)" on November 21, serving as the finale to his long-running Futurama series and featuring collaborations with Gedz and Odys. The track emphasizes themes of self-reflection, fame's toll, resilience, and fanservice through nostalgic references to his earlier work, marking a contemplative close to that chapter of his discography. Quebonafide's final major project, the hybrid album and film Północ / Południe, was released in 2025, with the album dropping on July 4 and the accompanying film premiering on November 22 via CANAL+. The work explores his personal experiences with bipolar disorder through a dual narrative structure, contrasting "Północ" (north, symbolizing manic highs) and "Południe" (south, representing depressive lows), blending musical elements, documentary-style introspection, and visual storytelling to convey emotional extremes. This ambitious multimedia endeavor, produced over four years at significant cost, stands as his most vulnerable artistic statement, integrating new tracks like "Chemiczny Balans" to address mental health struggles. The project culminated in two sold-out farewell concerts on June 27 and 28, 2025, at Warsaw's PGE Narodowy stadium, attended by tens of thousands of fans. These performances, structured as "Akt I" (online stream on June 26) and "Akt II" (live shows), featured setlists spanning his career highlights—from early hits like those from Ezoteryka to recent experimental tracks—creating an immersive, emotional retrospective. In June 2025, Quebonafide officially announced his retirement from music and performing, framing Północ / Południe as definitive closure amid ongoing mental health challenges, with no indications of a return. He cited the need for personal healing and the project's role in processing his bipolar experiences as key factors, emphasizing a clean break after nearly two decades in the industry.

Other activities

Literary works

Quebonafide has contributed to literature through non-musical writings that complement his artistic persona, particularly in memoir-style formats tied to his creative processes. His most prominent work is the 2019 book Egzotyka. Wywiad-rzeka, co-authored with journalist Kuba Stemplowski, which chronicles the rapper's three-year journey across 70 countries that inspired his 2017 album of the same name. The volume features in-depth interviews detailing personal adventures, cultural encounters, and reflections on how these experiences shaped his worldview, accompanied by previously unpublished photographs by Wojtek Koziara. Praised for its authentic, memoir-like tone and high production quality, the book received an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from readers, who highlighted its engaging anecdotes and visual elements as particularly compelling for fans seeking deeper insight into the artist's life. In 2018, Quebonafide co-created SOMA Instrukcja Obsługi, a limited-edition zine bundled with the Taconafide album SOMA 0,5 mg, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into the duo's collaboration with Taco Hemingway. This publication includes transcripts of private conversations from 2015 onward, song lyrics, and production notes, providing an intimate look at the project's development. The zine format reflects Quebonafide's early experimentation with self-published materials, emphasizing raw, unfiltered documentation over polished narrative.

Film and media projects

Quebonafide made his directorial debut with the 2020 documentary Quebonafide: Romantic Psycho Film, which chronicles his extensive journey across Asia—from Russia through China to Mongolia—during a period of personal reflection and artistic preparation following his 2018 career hiatus. The film, produced by Red Bull Media House, offers an intimate look at the rapper's creative process leading up to the release of his album Romantic Psycho, capturing moments of vulnerability and recovery amid his travels. It premiered at the Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival and highlights Quebonafide's elusive public persona, providing fans rare access to his off-stage life. In 2025, Quebonafide co-directed and starred in the hybrid film Północ / Południe (North / South), a narrative blend of musical, music film, and personal documentary elements centered on his experiences with bipolar disorder. Co-written with director Sebastian Pańczyk, the project features Quebonafide portraying a version of himself as he navigates emotional extremes, incorporating original music to explore themes of mental health and artistic farewell. The film premiered on September 22, 2025, at the Gdynia Film Festival, where it won awards for best directorial debut and was praised for its innovative fusion of autobiography and performance. It is scheduled to debut on streaming platforms like Canal+ on November 22, 2025 (as of November 2025), marking a significant expansion of Quebonafide's work into cinematic storytelling. Quebonafide has made guest appearances in several Polish hip-hop documentaries and cultural TV features, including a 2017 segment on contemporary urban music scenes that profiled his rising influence in the genre. His production roles extend to visual media, where he has directed short films tied to his alter ego explorations, such as conceptual pieces accompanying experimental music releases that emphasize thematic visuals over traditional promotion.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Quebonafide, whose real name is Kuba Grabowski, maintained a long-term relationship with Roksana Kwiatkowska during the early years of his career, spanning nearly a decade from the early 2010s. Kwiatkowska played a significant role in shaping his artistic image and managing projects under the QueQuality label, contributing to his breakthrough as a rapper. The couple kept their personal life private, rarely sharing details publicly, though their partnership was evident in collaborative creative endeavors. Their relationship ended around 2016, allowing Grabowski to focus on new personal and professional directions. In 2018, Grabowski began a relationship with singer Natalia Szroeder, which lasted until 2024 and became one of the more publicly acknowledged aspects of his private life, though the couple emphasized privacy and avoided joint media appearances. They met when Grabowski proposed a musical collaboration to Szroeder, who was initially unaware of his prominence in the hip-hop scene. This partnership influenced his lyrics, incorporating romantic themes of longing and intimacy, as seen in tracks like "Visa" from 2018 and joint releases such as "TĘSKNIEZASTARYMKANYE" and "Jesień," which reflected their emotional bond. Grabowski has spoken about the challenges of balancing fame with personal relationships, noting in interviews that he preferred to shield intimate details from public scrutiny to preserve authenticity in his art. The breakup in 2024 was confirmed indirectly through Szroeder's statements on life's changes, with both parties maintaining respect and discretion afterward. Following the end of his relationship with Szroeder, Grabowski entered a partnership with actress Martyna Byczkowska in 2024, known for her role in the Netflix series "1670." The couple met through a professional collaboration, with Byczkowska noting that Grabowski contacted her regarding a work opportunity. In a June 2025 interview on Kanał Zero, Grabowski openly discussed their bond, expressing optimism about a shared future: "Myślę, że to będzie moja małżonka, takie mam przeczucie. I to z nią będziemy sobie budowali coś fajnego" (I think she will be my wife; I have that feeling. And with her, we will build something nice). He mentioned plans for children, noting they already share a dog as part of their family life, and highlighted his desire to step back from public life to prioritize a quieter existence together, away from constant media attention. This relationship underscores Grabowski's ongoing emphasis on privacy amid his career transitions.

Health challenges

Quebonafide publicly disclosed his diagnosis of bipolar disorder (known clinically as bipolar affective disorder or ChAD) in June 2025 during the premiere of his hybrid musical-documentary film Północ, Południe, where he portrays his personal experiences living with the condition through music and testimony. This revelation, which likely dates back to around 2019 based on its connection to his earlier career decisions, has retroactively illuminated the mental health factors behind his extended hiatus following the 2018 release of Egzotyka. The disorder significantly impacted his professional trajectory, exacerbating emotional volatility that contributed to his 2019 break from music amid the grief over Mac Miller's death and intense public scrutiny. In 2025, Quebonafide cited ongoing mental health preservation as a primary reason for his retirement from rapping, announcing definitive farewell concerts on June 27–28 at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw to conclude his career on his terms. Through the Północ, Południe project and related 2025 interviews, Quebonafide has advocated for greater mental health awareness within the music industry, emphasizing the unseen struggles of artists and encouraging open dialogue about bipolar disorder to reduce stigma. His work highlights the condition's cycles of mania and depression, drawing from his own episodes to foster empathy and support for those affected. In June 2025 statements tied to his retirement, Quebonafide admitted to long-term struggles with substance use, describing himself as a "light drug addict" who relied on stimulants to cope with his mental health challenges, further intertwining his personal battles with broader industry pressures.

Awards and nominations

Major awards won

Quebonafide has garnered recognition for his contributions to Polish hip-hop, with notable victories at the Fryderyk Awards, the country's premier music honors akin to the Grammys. These accolades highlight his innovative songwriting, production, and visual storytelling. In 2019, collaborating as Taconafide with Taco Hemingway, he shared the Fryderyk for Album of the Year – Hip-Hop for Soma 0,5 mg ex aequo with O.S.T.R. (XX) and PRO8L3M (Art Brut), an album that blended introspective lyrics with experimental beats and achieved diamond certification in Poland. His solo work earned further acclaim in 2025 at the Fryderyk Awards, where "Futurama 3 (fanserwis)" won both Single of the Year – Hip-Hop and Music Video of the Year; the track's surreal narrative and high-concept visuals underscored Quebonafide's evolution toward multimedia artistry. The music video for "Futurama 3 (fanserwis)," directed by Andrzej Dragan, also claimed the Best VFX award at the 2025 Berlin Music Video Awards, celebrating its groundbreaking digital effects and narrative depth in the international festival circuit.

Notable nominations

Quebonafide has received several notable nominations for major awards in the Polish music industry, reflecting his innovative contributions to hip-hop production and lyrical storytelling. In 2021, his album Romantic Psycho earned a nomination for Album of the Year in the Hip-Hop category at the Fryderyk Awards, the country's premier music honors, recognizing the project's blend of experimental sounds and introspective themes. Earlier, as part of the collaborative project Taconafide with Taco Hemingway, Quebonafide secured multiple nominations at the 2019 Fryderyki Awards (in addition to the shared Album win), including for the Public Prize in categories such as Song of the Year for tracks like "Art-B," "Kryptowaluty," and "Tamagotchi," further emphasizing Quebonafide's versatility in songwriting. The duo's work also contended in the Event of the Year category for Ekodiesel Tour. On the international stage, Quebonafide was nominated for Best Polish Act at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards, a recognition of his growing influence and fanbase in European pop and rap circles. These nominations, spanning over a decade, often focused on categories celebrating lyrical depth and sonic innovation, motivating Quebonafide to refine his artistic vision amid competitive fields. For instance, industry discussions around overlooked nods, such as the 2018 Fryderyki exclusion of his best-selling album Egzotyka, sparked broader conversations on hip-hop's recognition in mainstream awards.

Discography

Studio albums

Quebonafide's debut studio album, Ezoteryka, was released on March 27, 2015, through his independent label QueQuality. The project features 15 tracks spanning approximately 61 minutes, blending introspective hip-hop with esoteric themes and wordplay. Produced primarily by Chris Carson, Foux, and Solar, it includes guest appearances such as K-Leah on "Ile mogłem." The album achieved commercial success, earning a platinum certification from ZPAV for 30,000+ units sold in Poland as of September 7, 2022. His second studio album, Egzotyka, followed on June 9, 2017, also via QueQuality. Comprising 14 tracks over 52 minutes, it explores exotic and personal motifs with a trap-influenced sound. Key producers included Boobie Boi, Deemz, Foux, Gibbs, Jorge Méndez, and SoDrumatic, with features from artists like Young Igi and Young Lungs. The album was a major hit, certified diamond by ZPAV for 150,000 units sold. Romantic Psycho, Quebonafide's third studio album, was independently released on March 26, 2020, under QueQuality in a standard edition of 16 tracks lasting about 60 minutes. The introspective work delves into emotional vulnerability and relationships, featuring collaborations with Taco Hemingway on the title track and Natalia Szroeder on "JESIEŃ." Producers such as DJ Krime and The Returners contributed to its pop-rap aesthetic. It received diamond certification from ZPAV for over 150,000 units sold, marking another commercial milestone. The fourth and final studio album, Północ / Południe, arrived on July 4, 2025, through QueQuality, consisting of 22 tracks totaling 61 minutes. Conceptualized as a soundtrack to the accompanying film Quebonafide: Północ / Południe—a documentary-musical hybrid directed by Sebastian Pańczyk exploring the artist's bipolar disorder—it peaked at number one on Poland's OLiS sales chart upon release, achieving diamond certification from ZPAV for over 150,000 copies sold in preorder, becoming the first album in Polish music history to do so under the new certification thresholds. Guests include Baasch and Duit, with production emphasizing theatrical and art pop elements.

Compilation albums

Quebonafide's compilation albums primarily encompass collaborative and curated releases that blend his work with other artists, distinct from his solo studio efforts. The most notable is the 2018 joint project with Taco Hemingway under the moniker Taconafide, titled SOMA 0,5 mg, which functions as a compilation-style album featuring 15 tracks co-produced and performed by the duo. This release originated from their Taconafide collaboration, combining introspective lyrics with trap-influenced beats, and includes standout tracks like "Tamagotchi," "Art-B," and "Kryptowaluty," with guest features limited to production contributions from artists such as Forxst and Zeppy Zep. Released on April 13, 2018, via Taconafidex, the album's tracklist emphasizes thematic duality between the artists' styles, covering topics from personal introspection to modern societal critiques. Commercially, SOMA 0,5 mg achieved significant success, topping Polish sales charts for several weeks and selling over 150,000 units, earning diamond certification from ZPAV. The album's lead single "Tamagotchi" further amplified its impact, breaking Spotify streaming records in Poland with over 1.7 million listens in its debut week. No major retrospective compilations had been released as of 2025. Earlier blendtape-style compilations, like Elektryka (2016, with 2sty), feature remixed tracks blending Quebonafide's verses over international beats (e.g., "Panczeon" ft. Bedoes and Red), but these are more experimental and lack formal certifications.

Singles as lead artist

Quebonafide has released over 20 singles as lead artist since his debut in 2015, many of which have achieved notable success on Polish streaming platforms and charts, contributing to his status as one of the country's leading hip-hop artists. His singles often blend introspective lyrics with eclectic production, drawing from trap, pop, and alternative influences, and frequently serve as precursors to his studio albums. These releases have garnered millions of streams and views, establishing key hits that highlight his evolution from underground rapper to mainstream phenomenon. One of his breakthrough singles, "Candy" featuring Klaudia Szafrańska, was released in 2015 as part of the album Ezoteryka. The track peaked at No. 6 on the Spotify Poland chart and spent 92 weeks on the ranking, accumulating over 46 million streams. Its music video has exceeded 39 million views on YouTube, underscoring its enduring popularity. In 2017, "Half Dead" featuring ReTo marked another milestone, reaching No. 10 on Spotify Poland with over 15 million streams and reflecting Quebonafide's growing experimentation with darker themes and collaborations. The single's success helped propel his album Egzotyka to commercial heights. Later, "BUBBLETEA" with Duit and Daria Zawiałow, released in 2020 from ROMANTIC PSYCHO, achieved even greater impact by topping the Spotify Poland chart and amassing over 11 million streams, celebrated for its catchy, upbeat vibe and viral appeal. Quebonafide's most recent lead single, "Futurama 3 (fanserwis)" from 2024, serves as a thematic capstone to his Futurama series, offering reflective closure on his career trajectory with introspective bars over futuristic production. It debuted at No. 1 on the Spotify Poland chart, holding the position for multiple weeks and surpassing 13 million streams by late 2024, setting records for his solo work in streaming velocity. Certifications for several singles, including platinum status for high-streaming tracks like "BUBBLETEA," have been awarded by ZPAV, affirming their commercial dominance in Poland.
TitleRelease YearPeak Position (Spotify Poland)Total Streams (as of 2025)Notes
Candy (feat. Klaudia Szafrańska)2015646 millionFrom Ezoteryka; over 39 million YouTube views
Half Dead (feat. ReTo)20171015 millionKey track from Egzotyka era
BUBBLETEA (with Duit & Daria Zawiałow)2020111 millionNo. 1 hit; ZPAV platinum certification
Futurama 3 (fanserwis)2024113 million+Series finale; record debut streams
Quebonafide has contributed guest verses to over two dozen tracks by fellow Polish hip-hop artists since his early career, often blending introspective lyricism with the host's style to enhance collaborative projects. These appearances span from underground mixtapes in the early 2010s to mainstream releases, highlighting his role in elevating tracks through raw, narrative-driven rap delivery. Notable examples include his feature on Pawbeats' "Euforia" from the 2014 album Utopia, which peaked at number 3 on Poland's national radio chart LP3, demonstrating his ability to craft radio-friendly hooks within a melodic framework. Another significant collaboration came in 2015 on Białas' "Złote serca" from the album Rehab, where Quebonafide's verse added emotional depth to themes of ambition and struggle, contributing to the project's commercial success in the Polish rap scene. In 2017, he appeared on Solar's "Ostatni snap" from Klub 27, infusing trap-influenced flows that aligned with the album's introspective tone. That same year, his contribution to Białas & Lanek's "Ganges" from Polon earned a platinum certification from ZPAV for over 20,000 units sold, underscoring the track's widespread appeal and Quebonafide's impact on chart performance.
YearOriginal ArtistSongAlbumNotes/Impact
2014PawbeatsEuforiaUtopiaPeaked at #3 on LP3 chart; melodic rap feature boosting radio play.
2015BiałasZłote sercaRehabGuest rap on themes of success; part of a gold-certified album.
2015Dwa SławyCzłowiek sztosLudzie sztosyHumorous, energetic verse enhancing group dynamic.
2016ŻabsonCzarne okularyPassion Fruits EPTrap-infused feature on debut EP.
2017SolarOstatni snapKlub 27Introspective lines fitting the album's club motif.
2017Białas & LanekGangesPolonPlatinum certification (ZPAV); major hit with over 20,000 sales.
2018Bonus RPKOpowieści z kryptyTechnik pasjonatGold certification (ZPAV); narrative rap on dark themes.
2018ŻabsonMantraTo ziomalMotivational verse in rising artist's project.
Quebonafide's feature style evolved notably over time, starting with aggressive, freestyle-like raw rap in early collaborations such as his 2013 verse on Te-Tris and Pogz's "Boom" from Teraz, which emphasized battle-rap energy. By the mid-2010s, his contributions shifted toward more melodic and thematic elements, as seen in the 2015 track "Wyjdziesz na dwór?" with Rasmentalism on Wyszli coś zjeść, incorporating smoother flows and pop-rap sensibilities. This progression reflected his broader artistic growth, from underground grit to polished, crossover appeal in later appearances like the 2018 "Telenowela" on Eripe's Serial Killers LP. In recent years, including experimental tracks around 2023, his features have leaned into atmospheric and genre-blending experimentation, though specific post-2018 credits remain limited in public discographies.

References

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  13. https://www.discogs.com/release/6824477-Quebonafide-Ezoteryka
  14. https://open.spotify.com/album/1d9Oa30h0XNgldS6EmZLx0
  15. https://www.porcys.com/review/quebonafide-ezoteryka/
  16. https://plejada.pl/newsy/quebonafide-kim-jest-raper-poczatki-przeboje-zwiazek-z-natalia-szroeder/kdl1wg1
  17. https://www.discogs.com/master/1192180-Quebonafide-Egzotyka
  18. https://genius.com/albums/Quebonafide/Egzotyka
  19. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45310847-quebonafide
  20. https://www.behance.net/gallery/54124817/Quebonafide-Egzotyka-album-cover
  21. https://www.illegalbreaks.com/en/archiv
  22. https://www.merchbar.com/r-b-hiphop-rap/quebonafide
  23. https://queshop.pl/quebonafide-quequality
  24. http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=1216&lang=e
  25. https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/polish-trap-is-a-thing-and-its-worth-your-time-2437868
  26. https://genius.com/Taconafide-tamagotchi-lyrics/q/release-date
  27. https://genius.com/albums/Taconafide-taco-hemingway-and-quebonafide/Soma-0-5-mg/q/release-date
  28. https://culture.pl/en/artist/taco-hemingway
  29. https://www.glamour.pl/rozrywka/taconafide-na-open-er-festival-2018-tlumy-na-ostatnim-koncercie-taco-hemingway-a-i-quebonafide-180709010343/
  30. https://www.eska.pl/news/quebonafide-robi-przerwe-w-karierze-poruszajacy-wpis-po-smierci-mac-millera-aa-2YjJ-Yv6h-5Fn4.html
  31. https://www.redbull.com/pl-pl/films/quebonafide-romantic-psycho
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13369336/
  33. https://genius.com/Quebonafide-bubbletea-lyrics
  34. https://open.spotify.com/album/3mlLCrcrxfVkp5lUjgTgzl
  35. https://www.discogs.com/release/15033345-Quebonafide-Romantic-Psycho-Japan-Edition
  36. https://cgm.pl/news/zpav-przyznal-kolejna-diamentowa-plyte/
  37. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/228898-quebonafide-romantic-psycho.php
  38. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/10683
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h2yVr2Unyk
  40. https://cgm.pl/news/miss-ti-wrocilo-w-nowym-miejscu-quebonafide-wyjasnia-czy-marka-na-stale-zniknela-z-warszawy/
  41. https://newonce.net/artykul/jakub-grabowski-debiutuje-oficjalnym-singlem-i-otwiera-tegoroczna-edycje-sb-starter
  42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcE28K8T0BE
  43. https://hypebeast.com/2021/7/tommy-cash-quebonafide-benz-dealer-single-stream
  44. https://www.withguitars.com/290399-2/
  45. https://open.spotify.com/track/2LMXAlcaN53mR1eHiwnJbb
  46. https://music.youtube.com/browse/MPREb_P8hfCxSVJwj
  47. https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Quebonafide/Futurama-3-fanserwis
  48. https://media.pl.canalplus.com/432794-quebonafide-polnoc-poludnie-juz-22-listopada-w-serwisie-canal
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38134449/
  50. https://kmag.pl/article/koniec-kariery-quebonafide-podwojnie-wyprzedanym-pge-narodowym-pozegnal-sie-z-fanami
  51. https://www.tvp.info/87487931/quebonafide-koncert-online-i-na-narodowym-na-koniec-kariery-kiedy-i-gdzie-kim-jest-raper-kariera-plyty-partnerka
  52. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/quebonafide/2025/pge-narodowy-warsaw-poland-4359e337.html
  53. https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/quebonafide-konczy-z-muzyka-i-koncertami-co-warto-wiedziec-o-koncu-kariery-rapera-7171591476124544a
  54. https://cgm.pl/news/quebonafide-wyjasnil-znikniecie-po-koncercie-na-pge-narodowym-balem-sie-ze-sie-rozkleje/
  55. https://lubimyczytac.pl/ksiazka/4852876/egzotyka
  56. https://letterboxd.com/film/quebonafide-romantic-psycho-film/
  57. https://www.redbull.com/us-en/films/quebonafide-romantic-psycho-film
  58. https://archiwum2020.wkinach.mdag.pl/17/en/Katowice/movie/Quebonafide%25253A-Romantic-Psycho
  59. https://www.filmweb.pl/film/P%25C3%25B3%25C5%2582noc%2BPo%25C5%2582udnie-2025-10090670
  60. https://festiwalgdynia.pl/filmy/polnoc-poludnie/
  61. https://informatorwloclawek.pl/celebryci/quebonafide-i-roksana-historia-milosci-i-quequality/
  62. https://viva.pl/ludzie/niezwykle-historie/natalia-szroeder-quebonafide-kuba-grabowski-historia-milosci-zycie-prywatne-zdjecia-143754-r1/
  63. https://dziendobry.tvn.pl/gwiazdy/czy-natalia-szroeder-rozstala-sie-z-quebonafide-zycie-sie-dzieje-i-bywa-w-tym-zyciu-roznie-st8031788
  64. https://viva.pl/ludzie/newsy/o-ich-zwiazku-huczala-polska-teraz-wyznal-cala-prawde-mowi-wprost-o-slubie-a-jednak/
  65. https://vibez.pl/myimpact/jak-wygladaly-poczatki-relacji-quebo-i-jego-dziewczyny-napisal-do-mnie-w-sprawie-pracy-7176370682596288a
  66. https://open.fm/muzyka/quebonafide-o-swojej-chorobie-afektywnej-dwubiegunowej-polnoc-poludnie-akt-i-to-jego-najbardziej-osobisty-projekt-7172134546545536a
  67. https://www.pudelek.pl/quebonafide-konczy-kariere-przez-problemy-ze-zdrowiem-psychicznym-porusza-temat-zycia-z-choroba-afektywna-dwubiegunowa-7172177634851744a
  68. https://plotkopedia.com/en/hot-news/quebonafide-candid-about-drugs-mental-health-and-the-end-of-his-career/
  69. https://www.rp.pl/muzyka-popularna/art42615031-quebonafide-sie-zegna-zrobil-film-za-5-5-mln-zl-i-sprzedal-dwa-razy-narodowy
  70. https://portal.abczdrowie.pl/quebonafide-otwiera-temat-chad-czym-jest-choroba-afektywna-dwubiegunowa/7173239614425984a
  71. https://www.newsweek.pl/kultura/quebonafide-do-filmu-o-sobie-napisal-scenariusz-i-zagral-w-nim-glowna-role/nxm6kch
  72. https://glamrap.pl/fryderyki-2019-hip-hop-poza-transmisja/
  73. https://kultura.onet.pl/muzyka/wiadomosci/fryderyki-2025-rozdane-wiemy-kto-zostal-krolem-wieczoru-lista/4qxq7lh
  74. https://www.berlinmva.com/news/2025-winners-announcement/
  75. https://fryderyki.pl/fryderyk-2021/
  76. https://fryderykfestiwal.pl/nagroda-publicznosci/
  77. https://mb.cision.com/Public/914/3211212/b14f053704e8c9c2.pdf
  78. https://noizz.pl/muzyka/fryderyki-2018-tytus-upomina-akademie-za-pominiecie-quebonafide/ebn2d4f
  79. https://www.discogs.com/master/1288838-Quebonafide-Ezoteryka
  80. https://open.spotify.com/album/0q8uMpog7V0cZcLESRS6vQ
  81. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/37135
  82. https://genius.com/albums/Quebonafide/Ezoteryka
  83. https://music.apple.com/ca/album/egzotyka/1633295622
  84. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/37134
  85. https://glamrap.pl/quebonafide-z-diamentowa-plyta-sprzedal-150-000-plyt/
  86. https://genius.com/albums/Quebonafide/Romantic-psycho-japan-edition
  87. https://open.spotify.com/album/4qVRuXfOjrafPOOUSnGmL1
  88. https://cgm.pl/news/quebonafide-osiaga-kolejny-diament-sukces-jest-o-tyle-znaczacy-ze-zpav-zmienil-progi-przyznawania-takich-wyroznien/
  89. https://genius.com/albums/Taconafide-taco-hemingway-and-quebonafide/Soma-0-5-mg
  90. https://www.discogs.com/master/1441434-Taconafide-SOMA-05-mg
  91. https://www.discogs.com/release/8654963-Quebonafide-X-2sty-Elektryka
  92. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/1fxbULcd6ryMNc1usHoP0R.html
  93. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/quebonafide/685052797
  94. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/7hRsWeey4zosKz2ris2cHI.html
  95. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/1fxbULcd6ryMNc1usHoP0R_songs.html
  96. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJNmpHn6Vvk
  97. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/5TuXRIWZicQ2baTHfXID0U.html
  98. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/4FD8J0l0Wrw5HdNV2Dj1ST.html
  99. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/7ousJJ6DkKOeeXwfgWEMpN.html
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