Genka

Biography

Henry Kõrvits, known professionally as Genka, was born on December 30, 1974, in Tallinn, Estonia. He is a prominent figure in the Estonian music scene, recognized as a talented rapper, record producer, and actor. Genka hails from a musical lineage; his father, Harry Kõrvits, is a musician, and his grandfather, Harri Kõrvits, was a well-regarded composer and musicologist.

Genka’s journey in music began in 1996 when he teamed up with his schoolmate, DJ Paul Oja, and fellow artist Revo to form the group Toe Tag. Their debut album, "The Real Kuhnja Homophobes," was released in 1997. By 1998, Genka transitioned to another influential Estonian rap collective, A-Rühm, while Toe Tag took a brief hiatus. He gained significant recognition with the hit "Tallinn," featuring Droopy, in 2001. That same year marked the reunion of Toe Tag, which embarked on an extensive tour throughout Estonia.

In 2004, they released their sophomore album, "Legendaarne," featuring popular tracks like "Legendaarne" and "Pankrot." Two years later, Genka collaborated with A-Rühm on the album "Leegion," which included hits such as "Palmisaar" and "Tugitooli Gangster." Alongside DJ Paul Oja, Genka founded Legendaarne Records and gained further acclaim by performing as a warm-up act for 50 Cent during the American rapper's European promotional tour in 2007.