In tune with the rhyme and rhythm

In an effort to generate awareness among the youth, a student of CMR Institute of Management Studies, uses rap as a medium. Akash Nambiar, a final-year student of microbiology, has been winning laurels in rap events.

Through music, he addresses serious concerns like poverty, racial discrimination, suicide and dowry deaths in society.

The rapper, who calls himself ‘MC Lizard’, wears many hats and has more to accomplish in his journey. One of his biggest feats was winning the title ‘Best Freestyle Rapper from Bangalore’ at the ‘Bangalore Hip-Hop Urban Festival’ in 2013.

He proudly recalls this incident as he says, “We were given three rounds and our first round was to rap on how poverty affects kids. We also had a DJ round and a chopper round.”

He has judged rap events for fests of reputed institutes like IIT Kharagpur, Vellore Institute of Technology and Ambedkar College. Moreover, he has won awards at fests in St Joseph’s Composite College, REVA, PESIT, Mount Carmel College, Presidency College and CMR Institutions.

His foray into rap started about two years back when he realised that he could put the rhyme scheme into poetry. He was inspired by his neighbour, who was an African, and used to rap on different topics. Akash follows different international artistes like Rakim, who is a junkster rapper and raps on different issues affecting the African society.

“He rapped on the revolution in 1980 and that was how I got inspired to start rapping. Rap is one of the ways that I can express myself. I would like to take up research and rap together,” he adds.

Akash feels that the points one has to keep in mind while rapping is the ability to think fast and to have a firm grip on the words so that they flow easily. He says, “I have never got stuck while rapping and I hope I never do. However, if at all, my train of thought stops at some point on stage, I will try cheering the crowd and engaging them so that they won’t know I’m lost for words.”

His biggest inspiration are his parents and his Botany lecturer, who were very supportive. “If the hip hop and beatbox culture here grows, the competition will increase and rap will automatically develop,” he points out. 

He fondly recalls the fest at Presidency College, where he was a winner, because of the topic he had to rap on.

  “We had to rap on the birth of a child and I had to imagine and express all the emotional dynamics that would go on then like the baby’s cry, mother’s joy and father’s tears. Since I am a Biology student, I also felt for this topic personally.” 

The event, ‘Battle of Rappers’, at St Joseph’s College is another memorable moment in his life as he was adjudged the runner-up from 15 other young rappers. “Rap is a brilliant mode of art to bring out awareness on issues for it incorporates rhyme, technique, song and skill and I feel youngsters should take it up more,” he finishes.