Rap In Odisha: A Culture New And Thriving
What is the first thing that comes to your mind When someone says the word ‘art’? A painting? A poem? Maybe a film that you keep going back to? Maybe your favorite song? Have you wondered why a creation by some stranger you’ve never known moves you in ways you cannot explain? We asked this question to some people and their answers varied, but there was one answer that was predominant– that through art, they find a means to express themselves. Many times, when words fail and we struggle to hold the hand of a confidant, art finds us. Through a painting or a poem or a film or music.
While we’re talking about human forms of expression, there is one such art form that has been raking the charts– rap. The evolution of music has been ongoing for 800,000 years (yep, no kidding), and has been accepting of a variety of ways to deliver music to its admirers. When the DJs of New York started sampling percussive elements from disco, soul, and funk in the 1970s to create repetitive beats, rap as a genre was born. The stage MCs (Mic Controllers) would often interact with the audience and keep them energized in between the songs and overtime, MCs started rhyming in sync with the music. Rap in India has also garnered a massive audience since the 1990s. The hip-hop genre started to make its mark with Baba Sehgal’s ‘Thanda Thanda Paani’, then rap gained artists like Bohemia. While Honey Singh, Baadshah gave desi hip-hop, Divine and Naezy gave us gully rap which connected with millions.
With rap making waves in the entire world, Odisha wasn’t going to lag behind! Today, there are various Odia artists who are putting Odisha on the rap map with their music. My City Links reached out to a few of them and asked about their journey as a rap artist in this state that is fairly new to the genre of hip-hop.
MAHARAJ (Anirudh Pratap Singh)
IG: @aslimaharaj
Anirudh, 23, born in Meerut, UP, has been a resident of Odisha for the past 16 years. An Odia by heart, Anirudh goes by the name MAHARAJ, inspired by the ‘Baadshah’ of bollywood Shah Rukh Khan.
Introduction To Rap
In 2012, when Anirudh heard ‘Dope Shope’ by Yo Yo Honey Singh at a birthday party, he liked it instantly. “It was a track which I had never heard before. This was my first exposure to Hindi/Punjabi rap and I developed a strong liking for it pretty soon,” said Anirudh.
Inspiration For Songs
Talking about artists he draws inspiration for his art from, Anirudh said,“I really like Drake. He is very versatile and has been giving bangers for over a decade now. I also like Russ. Coming to India, I like what Divine is doing.”
What Keeps You Going?
Anirudh wishes to represent Odisha on a national level. “If an artist from Odisha delivers a hit song that is being played in Delhi, then of course the people listening and liking the song would want to know more about the artist and the place which he/she belongs to which would lead them to our state and its beautiful culture,” added Anirudh.
Is Odisha Ready For Rap?
Anirudh believes that the audience of Odisha enjoys rap, although, he added, “I see a long road ahead. More and more people are getting into rap nowadays, both as consumers and as artists, but the majority of the listeners listen to the mainstream artists. Most people listening to rap are listening to artists that are already accepted India wide. It’s imperative for local artists to make it to their top list now.”
What Is The Future Of Rap In Odisha?
“There are some crazy rappers from Odisha in the scene and with time, each one of them will have a loyal fan base. There will be an audience who will genuinely have interest in what these artists are making,” said Anirudh. He believes Odisha is very accepting in general so the rap scene is going to boom.
What Are Your Favorite Works By You?
Anirudh had a difficult time in choosing his favorite works but finally concluded the list with Dhaed Bhaed, Masle and Jaadugar which can all be found on youtube.
Advice To Amateurs
Anirudh advised, “There will be times when you will feel like giving up but it’s very important to hold on. Because if we leave before reaching the shore then just like YE (Kanye West) said after winning his Grammy, ‘I guess we’ll never know’ what was waiting for us there.”
PHOENIX (Prateek Mohapatra)
IG: @phoenix_|_
Prateek, 25, is from Bhubaneswar. His stage name is ‘Phoenix’ because he believes in rising from the ashes and never giving up.
Introduction To Rap
Prateek’s introduction to rap was because of his grandfather. He said, “I have seen my grandfather writing poems since my childhood. Though I did not have any interest in writing back then, I enjoyed listening to all his poems. Now people are forgetting the essence of Odia poems. So I chose rap to uplift poetry in my own way.”
Inspiration For Songs
Talking about his biggest inspiration, Prateek said, “My grandfather, Prafulla Chandra Mohapatra, (Insta handle – @odiapoems) is my biggest inspiration. He is 85 yrs old. He has been writing since 1967 and I look up to him. He is a man who never gives up.”
What Keeps You Going?
“I want people to learn and admire our language, to know the value of a poet in the society and through my writings if I can inspire a single person to keep going, I will be grateful,” said Prateek.
Is Odisha Ready For Rap?
Prateek believes that the audience of Odisha is currently hooked to commercial rap songs. He said, “Now that people from different cities of Odisha are coming up with Odia rap songs in their local dialect, this art form is going to gain acceptance soon.”
What Is The Future Of Rap In Odisha?
“Our language originated from Sanskrit. Odia literature is very rich and in recent times, our language has been getting the recognition it deserves through artists that choose to create art in Odia. With proper representation, rap in Odisha is also going to see a rise,” said Prateek. “People from different states are going to listen and admire our language soon through rap or music,” he added.
What Are Your Favorite Works By You?
“I like Odia Pila and Jete Thara. I believe these songs are quite relatable to every Odia,” said Prateek about his songs.
Advice To Amateurs
Prateek conveyed to the audience, “If you are passionate enough about rap, if this art form helps you know who you are, what your purpose is and if you understand why it is so important to you, then you should definitely take up this art form.”
Muzik Aay Swag (Ankit Behera)
IG: @muzikaayswag_official
22 year old Ankit Behera hails from Kendrapara. His stage name is Muzik Aay Swag.
Introduction To Rap
Talking about his introduction to rap, Ankit said, “Around 2012, I purchased my first computer which had Honey Singh’s album pre-downloaded. It was different from the songs that I had heard before. I soon developed a liking towards artists like Raftaar and Badshah.”
Inspiration For Songs
“I like to explore new hip hop artists and I try to learn as much as I can. I follow muhfaad, krsna and Young Stunners,” said Ankit on being asked about who inspires him.
What Keeps You Going?
Ankit hopes to contribute to the growth of the underground hip hop scene in Odisha. He said, “Hip hop is my lifestyle and I don’t care whether I earn from it or not. What matters most is that I contribute to the growth of the hip hop scene in Odisha. I would like to represent my state on the Indian hip hop map.”
Is Odisha Ready For Rap?
“Most people in odisha are not aware of this genre and the people who know about it are unaware of underground hip hop artists. They listen to commercial hip hop that bollywood produces. But the scenario is slowly changing. People have started taking interest in rap by independent artists. The reality show ‘Hustle’ has also gained popularity in the last few years,” said Ankit.
What Is The Future Of Rap In Odisha?
“Rap is slowly garnering the attention of the audience. In future, if more artists join, so will the listeners. So, I am hoping this art form will grow with time,” said Ankit when asked about the future of this genre in Odisha.
What Are Your Favorite Works By You?
Thand Rakh and Zindagi are my most favorite works. My collaborative works like KYU With Rapper Psycho & DOORIYAN With An1k8t.
Advice To Amateurs
Try to listen to more artists, learn from them how to express yourself, how to effectively rhyme your words and try to write and record it in your phone and listen to it daily so that you can improve your weak points.
BLOBHIT (Blobhit Kumar Behera)
IG: @blobhit
Blobhit is a 22 year old who was born in Bargarh and currently resides in Bhubaneswar. He believes his original name is suitable enough for a stage name and thanks his parents for it.
Introduction To Rap
Around the year 2008, my father introduced me to poetry, and urban/western music. I used to remember lyrics of the songs I liked and sing in front of friends. I also had a lot of pent up emotions because I was bullied when I was a kid and I turned to no one. The whole urge to express is from where it all began. I started writing poems around the year 2013. I started listening to Indian and international rap artists like Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, Raftaar and Badshah. In 2016 I started listening to underground artists like RAGA. In 2019 I put out my first official track,” said Blobhit, talking about his journey.
Inspiration For Songs
“I don’t have any role models specifically. I try to pick my lessons from here and there, random pieces of lyrics from any song, or quotes from random artists and interviews. I just like art. But I don’t have favorites. It keeps changing. It’s never one person,” said Blobhit.
What Keeps You Going?
“All I want is to be able to reach more people, make more music, experience more of life the ‘artist’ way and turn all of what I go through, the pain, the pleasure, the nothingness into exquisite art, into poetry, and to leave behind something legendary and historic that lives,” said Blobhit passionately.
Is Odisha Ready For Rap?
Blobhit said, “People from Odisha are supportive and accepting. But I think there’s still a long way to go for the audience and for us artists as well with regards to rap/hip-hop becoming something popular here and for the audience to recognise as artists which they can include in their list of favorites.”
What Is The Future Of Rap In Odisha?
I strongly feel rap is going to have a huge impact and the culture here is going to grow over the coming years. It is us artists who are the future of rap/hip-hop here, and I’m glad to say it is in safe hands. Shoutout to all artists who have been putting efforts and to the people who show so much love and support. We are all gonna be proud of what is in the making. It is going to go down in history,” said Blobhit proudly.
What Are Your Favorite Works By You?
“There are a few songs that make me wonder ‘how do I even do it?’ Some of these are lol, nashili, ambapua and chahat,” said Blobhit, finding it difficult to choose from his list.
Advice To Amateurs
Blobhit remembered the guidance he had gotten and said, “The best advice someone ever gave me was to explore, never stop, to find myself, and be true to myself and my art.”
