Many people don’t consider hip-hop as real music. However, the genre has picked up in recent years in India. One of the most prolific names in the hip-hop music industry is Raja Kumari. She opens up about the negativity around the genre, and how she tackles these naysayers.
Raja Kumari has been one of the most popular hip-hop artists across India. Here latest song in ‘Jawan’ went on to become a chartbuster. Her hip-hop music has been loved by everyone, but there is a huge chunk of the population that doesn’t consider hip-hop as a form of music.
Talking about this perception of the musical genre, Raja Kumari says, “I find that quite hilarious. But you know what, I can’t get mad at them. There’s definitely some rap music where you’re like, ‘What’s going on here?’ Some people, when they’re rapping, seem to overlook the fact that the track has a key, a tonal centre. Even when you’re rapping with a tonal style, there are specific notes you need to keep your voice aligned with to make it sound pleasant to the ear. I can agree that certain forms of hip-hop may exhibit less musicality and understanding of musical concepts. However, I’d like to add exceptions like Kendrick Lamar and myself. I’ll put myself in the same category as Kendrick Lamar.”
“With my music, there’s an abundance of musicality and meticulous attention to the lyrics. After the release of Gully Boy, it seems that the Indian audience has gained some understanding that rap is indeed an art form. In a culture where poetry has been revered for millennia, it’s amusing that rap music, which is essentially recited poetry, wasn’t initially recognized. Yet, I’m not overly concerned about what traditionalists consider to be music. Ultimately, they don’t pay my bills, nor do they buy tickets to my shows. Nonetheless, I continue to thrive, don’t I? So, honestly, I don’t have much to say to them,” says Raja Kumari.
Talking about the negativity that comes with it, and how she tackles it, Raja Kumari says, “Well, I don’t exclusively represent hip-hop. I consider myself a musician overall, and I blend classical music with hip-hop and pop music. Negativity does exist, but those negative voices don’t hold significance to me. I suppose that’s what it boils down to. That’s how I manage to handle it. In the grand scheme, those voices just aren’t significant.”
“There are numerous people who appreciate hip-hop, and enjoy my music, and that’s where my attention lies,” concludes Raja Kumari.