<p>Rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer, actor — Indian-American Raja Kumari wears her many hats with elan, though she is best known for fusing classical Indian music with hip-hop music in rap songs.</p>.<p>Collaborations with stalwarts like Gwen Stefani, Tricky Stewart, Fifth Harmony, Timbaland, A R Rahman and a song written for Australian rapper Iggy Azalea that got her a Grammy nomination have put Raja Kumari firmly in the spotlight.<br />She will be performing in Bengaluru today, as part of her ‘Karma Kills’ India tour. Metrolife finds out more...</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Where do you find inspiration for lyrics of your songs?</strong></p>.<p>I find inspiration in everything I see. I am lucky enough to travel the world and get to connect with a lot of people, which also serves to inspire me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Any pet themes or situations that you look out for?</strong></p>.<p>I like people-watching and writing lyrics that are relatable; I find I do that when I am authentic and speak about my personal relationships.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Influences within Indian music?</strong></p>.<p>I am a fan of pop culture and follow whatever is trending. For example, I love ‘Lamberghini’ as of now (laughs). From Bollywood music to folk songs to A R Rahman- I try to listen to all kinds of genres. Just this morning, I was listening to Mughal-e-Azam.</p>.<p>Within hip hop, I like listening to people from different regions.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Do you still practise classical dance?</strong></p>.<p>I think when you do it for 20 years, it’s part of you. I haven’t given a performance in a few years as I have been busy with my music but I would love to do a classical performance.<br /><br /><strong>You were called a child prodigy. Is fame a burden?</strong></p>.<p>Everybody’s life is different. I always really loved art; I felt free on stage as it was akin to spiritual communion with the audience. Even when I go on stage with my music, it feels like an offering. <br /><br /><strong>Any connection between spiritualism and hip hop?</strong></p>.<p>I listened to nothing but classical Indian music until I was nine. As part of my training, I was learning jathis and taalas — if you think about it, that’s a rap rhythm. (She breaks into<br />an impromptu taala and effortlessly switches to a rap line). I didn’t feel like an outsider to hip hop. There is something really ancient about the rhythms and modern at the same time. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Tell us about your new album?</strong></p>.<p>It is called ‘Bloodline’. The second single from it is called ‘Karma’ which is why the tour is called ‘Karma Kills’; it is said that karma kills you quicker than the reaper can.</p>.<p>The US leg was great — we performed in 11 cities to sold-out shows. Then all I could think about was I need to bring this to India. I am covering five cities here, two for the first time — Indore and Kolkata.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>So, you have been to Bengaluru. Thoughts about the city?</strong></p>.<p>I love Bengaluru. I think the people there always appreciate music. Even in the beginning when people didn’t know my songs that much, they always gave me their attention and love. Plus, I love the thalis! Nagarjuna thalis are to die for.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>A mantra that you swear by?</strong></p>.<p>I am really practising self-love right now. I am trying to put myself before anything else.</p>.<p><span><strong>Raja Kumari: Factfile</strong></span></p>.<p>- Began learning bharathanatyam, kuchipudi and odissi at age five</p>.<p>- At ten years, embarked on 15 city solo showcase in USA and India, performing for massive audiences and raising money to build a meditation hall and a new wing for a hospital in India.</p>.<p>- Also has a degree in comparative religious studies.</p>.<p>- After signing a deal with Sony India, she relocated to Bombay, releasing her highly acclaimed collaboration with ‘Divine’, ‘City Slums’ in 2017, which garnered over 15 million views.</p>.<p>- Has worked alongside Shahrukh Khan for ‘Husna Parcham’ in Zero and Salman Khan for ‘Allah Duhai’ in Race 3, apart from doing a cameo in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy.</p>.<p><br /><span><strong>Catch her on stage</strong></span></p>.<p>She will be performing at the Lalit Ashok today, 7 pm onwards. Tickets are priced at Rs 1,000 and are available on insider.in.</p>
<p>Rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer, actor — Indian-American Raja Kumari wears her many hats with elan, though she is best known for fusing classical Indian music with hip-hop music in rap songs.</p>.<p>Collaborations with stalwarts like Gwen Stefani, Tricky Stewart, Fifth Harmony, Timbaland, A R Rahman and a song written for Australian rapper Iggy Azalea that got her a Grammy nomination have put Raja Kumari firmly in the spotlight.<br />She will be performing in Bengaluru today, as part of her ‘Karma Kills’ India tour. Metrolife finds out more...</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Where do you find inspiration for lyrics of your songs?</strong></p>.<p>I find inspiration in everything I see. I am lucky enough to travel the world and get to connect with a lot of people, which also serves to inspire me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Any pet themes or situations that you look out for?</strong></p>.<p>I like people-watching and writing lyrics that are relatable; I find I do that when I am authentic and speak about my personal relationships.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Influences within Indian music?</strong></p>.<p>I am a fan of pop culture and follow whatever is trending. For example, I love ‘Lamberghini’ as of now (laughs). From Bollywood music to folk songs to A R Rahman- I try to listen to all kinds of genres. Just this morning, I was listening to Mughal-e-Azam.</p>.<p>Within hip hop, I like listening to people from different regions.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Do you still practise classical dance?</strong></p>.<p>I think when you do it for 20 years, it’s part of you. I haven’t given a performance in a few years as I have been busy with my music but I would love to do a classical performance.<br /><br /><strong>You were called a child prodigy. Is fame a burden?</strong></p>.<p>Everybody’s life is different. I always really loved art; I felt free on stage as it was akin to spiritual communion with the audience. Even when I go on stage with my music, it feels like an offering. <br /><br /><strong>Any connection between spiritualism and hip hop?</strong></p>.<p>I listened to nothing but classical Indian music until I was nine. As part of my training, I was learning jathis and taalas — if you think about it, that’s a rap rhythm. (She breaks into<br />an impromptu taala and effortlessly switches to a rap line). I didn’t feel like an outsider to hip hop. There is something really ancient about the rhythms and modern at the same time. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Tell us about your new album?</strong></p>.<p>It is called ‘Bloodline’. The second single from it is called ‘Karma’ which is why the tour is called ‘Karma Kills’; it is said that karma kills you quicker than the reaper can.</p>.<p>The US leg was great — we performed in 11 cities to sold-out shows. Then all I could think about was I need to bring this to India. I am covering five cities here, two for the first time — Indore and Kolkata.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>So, you have been to Bengaluru. Thoughts about the city?</strong></p>.<p>I love Bengaluru. I think the people there always appreciate music. Even in the beginning when people didn’t know my songs that much, they always gave me their attention and love. Plus, I love the thalis! Nagarjuna thalis are to die for.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>A mantra that you swear by?</strong></p>.<p>I am really practising self-love right now. I am trying to put myself before anything else.</p>.<p><span><strong>Raja Kumari: Factfile</strong></span></p>.<p>- Began learning bharathanatyam, kuchipudi and odissi at age five</p>.<p>- At ten years, embarked on 15 city solo showcase in USA and India, performing for massive audiences and raising money to build a meditation hall and a new wing for a hospital in India.</p>.<p>- Also has a degree in comparative religious studies.</p>.<p>- After signing a deal with Sony India, she relocated to Bombay, releasing her highly acclaimed collaboration with ‘Divine’, ‘City Slums’ in 2017, which garnered over 15 million views.</p>.<p>- Has worked alongside Shahrukh Khan for ‘Husna Parcham’ in Zero and Salman Khan for ‘Allah Duhai’ in Race 3, apart from doing a cameo in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy.</p>.<p><br /><span><strong>Catch her on stage</strong></span></p>.<p>She will be performing at the Lalit Ashok today, 7 pm onwards. Tickets are priced at Rs 1,000 and are available on insider.in.</p>
