Raftaar’s knack for telling stories through rap has pervaded different cultures. Having already sung in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi and Hindi, in his latest song “Dhaakad” for Dangal , he captures the conviction of the sisters, while narrating their journey from their stint as amateur wrestlers to their entry into the Olympics. Through his throaty rough voice as he sings in Haryanvi manifesting the rugged landscape of the arenas, with clouds of dust surrounding the sisters as they stride forward, Raftaar’s proclivity to use the medium of music to tell stories is restated.
However, soon Raftaar is switching space! He has collaborated with Mortem Tyldum for the upcoming sci-fi movie Passengers, which features Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt in a space journey. His song “Aadat”, recorded in the same studio as the movie. After composing a song titled “Mother Nature” for the UN Climate Change Summit in 2014, this is his second big overseas project.
Calling himself a ‘storyteller’ and ‘poet’ instead of a rapper, the autodidact in him comes alive as he talks about his humble beginnings and flair for rhyming he realised early in childhood. With a singsong yet stentorian voice, the weight in his voice justifies compositions like “Dhaakad” and “Stand Up”.
Here Raftaar talks about his first Hollywood project, his beginnings as a singer and the changing trends in the music industry.
How was the experience of working with the Passengers team? What led to the composition?
The entire process went in raftaar! It happened quite fast. I was in Goa and had to come to Mumbai the next day. The same night I got a call from the Passengers team asking me to compose a song for them. They said they wanted my signature elements in the composition. I couldn't believe in the beginning. I thought maybe it’s a Hindi version of Passengers or some other project in the same name. But, when I told it’s the same movieI got super excited.
No matter how successful you get with your art, you should always crave for more. Next day, I was on a flight to the US and wrote the song. We reached the studio where the movie was shot and recorded in the same studio. Within a span of 24 hours, everything was done, the video was edited as well.
The movie is about space and connection. How does your composition fit in?
It surely is about space, but it’s more than that. It’s about two people living in a secluded place. And Chris makes a beautiful statement in the film. He says that even if they were surrounded by people in a heavenly setting, he would have still chosen Jennifer. This is really hard hitting, and I have conveyed the emotions through my song.
The best part is that this it is my first love song. All my songs in the past have either been inspirational or party numbers. This is for the first time I have sung something romantic.
How was this experience different from composing a song in India?
For me, it was definitely not different. I did the same things I do for a Bollywood movie or a composition back home. But, for them, having a Hindi song in a Hollywood movie is different.
What's your signature style? What’s the thread that connects all your songs?
I am a storyteller. If you listen to my songs, I always try to convey a story, send messages across. Even “Aadat” follows the same pattern. I am telling the story of Pratt and Lawrence in the movie. If you pay attention to the lyrics, you’ll easily get the storyline of the movie.
What are the current trends and patterns you see in the music industry?
See, there is nothing permanent in the industry. Romantic songs come and fade away and some other genre takes over, and then there are times when people like listening to Sufi music. It’s really tough to make anything survive for long in this atmosphere characterised by transience. This generation is so fast and people want to listen to new stuff constantly.
What makes a rapper different from any other singer?
The element of storytelling for sure. A singer would normally use a piece of lyrics, combine it with chorus and indulge in a lot of repetition. However, rappers have the power to utter 16-32 bars of poetry straight away. It's straight storytelling. It's straight delivery of everything you want to say. We’re poets, bro! I call myself a poet with a bit of swagger, I never call myself a rapper.
You sing in multiple languages. Which is the language you connect to the most and like to sing in?
I have sung “Dhaakad” in Tamil and Telugu as well. I am a Keralite (his real name is Dilin Nair) and my first language is Malayalam. I have studied in a boarding school in Haryana and also know Punjabi. So, if you see, no language in specific is my favourite. But, Hindi comes naturally to me and is my comfort zone. I feel quite comfortable with Haryanvi and Punjabi as well. And, even if someone asks me to sing in Bengali and is ready to help me with it, I'll go ahead and do it.
What's your biggest inspiration?
Well, it’s my own struggle. I encountered rap when I listened to Eminem and Linkin Park for the first time in 9th standard. And, in childhood I was really good at rhyming. From realising that I am good at it in the 2nd standard to realising that it’s much more than that; it's about being skilled, having word-play, and telling stories. I used to check out videos online and watch English music channels on TV regularly. I come from a very humble background. Both my parents were working. I had to come out of that social bracket and achieve something better. That pushed me to do it.
Who’s your favourite singer or rapper?
My favourite rapper is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, who goes by the stage name The Game. I also have his name tattooed on my hand.
You've sung different kinds of songs ranging from inspirational to party. What's your most preferred type?
I love doing songs like “Dhaakad” and “Toh Dishoom”. Both of them are filled with messages. Talking about the income group I come from, it’s very difficult to balance a glamourous lifestyle with my roots. But, honestly if given a choice, I would always want to do songs with messages.
What are the associations and plans you have for 2017?
My song with A.R. Rahman is coming out soon. I have also done a dance song for Jolly LLB-2 , which is also their title track. There is also a song with Sunny Deol that I am doing. The first song I ever sang and danced on as a kid was from Narsimha , a Sunny Deol movie. Now, it feels great to be standing with him in a song and singing for him.
What advice would you have for budding artists?
I always say the same thing. Be a wannabe. That's because if now you’re a wannabe, one day you’ll be somebody. Just the will to be somebody is very important. So, be a wannabe.
