Raftaar has emerged as the face of desi hip hop with a slew of hits to his credit. Known for songs such as “Swag Mera Desi” and “Dhaakad”, as his new album, Zero to Infinity, makes a rousing start with “Sare Karo Dab”, featuring Sonu Kakkar and Muhfaad, Raftaar, whose real name is Dilin Nair, opens up on his journey.
Excerpts:
Tell us about your new album.
I had decided early on in my career that if I were to ever release an album it would be called Zero to Infinity . It was a risk but I wanted to dive right into it, challenge and surprise myself. The album has eight tracks with different themes and styles; each person would have something to connect to in this album.
You have collaborated with different artists on this album...
It was a joy working with so many talented artists, some of them are not very popular but are very talented. I hope that this album would provide them with the right platform.
When did you start to rap?
I started rapping in class 10th.. I was introduced to Eminem, Linkin Park and a couple of other artistes around that time and instantly fell in love with what they had to offer. I started writing random stuff that would rhyme, wanting to be like them. In college I met others like myself and we started practising together, creating mix tapes using Mixcraft, an ancient software and uploading it on various platforms like Myspace, SoundClick, etc. People around me were very encouraging of my pursuits and that motivated me to stick to my guns.
Has there been any moment in your career that you would call defining moment?
It was my decision to leave dancing. I used to teach dance for a living, so deciding to leave my only source of income, howsoever unstable or meagre, was a big step. Leaving my home and concentrating only on music, was the most courageous decision I ever had to make.
How do you see hip hop as a genre in India?
It has come a long way. Beginning from Baba Sehgal’s time when it was mocked at to now when it is considered a musical genre in its own right, it has amassed a loyal audience and is earning great money. It’s not as difficult to break the ice now and one can already see some of these artists such as Divine, Naezy and PrabhDeep are telling their stories and are talking about issues that they feel perturbed by .
Do you think the upcoming Ranveer Singh-starrer Gully Boy would change things for hip hop in India?
I am familiar with the script and I think that it does have the potential to change perception towards rappers and create a surge of popularity around hip hop. But this opportunity must be used to sustain the acceptance towards hip hop by churning out good music and giving platform to younger artists so that it doesn’t end up becoming just another trend or phase that would quickly fizzle out.
Why do you think a majority of rap songs, at least those that are commercially released, revolve around parties, alcohol, cars and objectification of women?
I have done songs with edgy lyrics when I was starting out but gradually I started realising that society will be shaped by what we inject into it. And I started saying no to certain songs but there is also a structure within which one has to function. The fact is that that kind of music sells. But now that I am established and have acquired some power, I am channelising that to produce different kind of music like I have done with songs like ‘Allah Ve’, ‘Mother Nature’ and the like that move beyond the rap space that has become synonymous with drugs, parties, alcohol, etc. I think both the listeners and artistes have to take responsibility and I am trying to do my part. You won’t find me doing any song that is demeaning to women.
