<p>Bengaluru’s own Vighnesh Shivanand has made a name for himself in the rap world as Brodha V. Known for his experimental sound, the rapper has returned to the scene after a year’s break. His new single, aptly titled, ‘Aaraam’, is also his foray back into Kannada rap after two years. <span class="italic">Metrolife</span> caught up with him. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How has the rap scene in India evolved?</strong></p>.<p>The change has been quite drastic, for the good. When I first started rapping in 2007/2008, there was hardly a scene. There was no scope for a career also back then. Over the years, people have been able to create a revenue stream through rap, not just as independent artistes, but also in movies, ad jingles, shows, etc. Rappers are now headlining shows and festivals, doing international collaborations. It’s growing at a massive pace. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Is rap turning into a commercial genre? </strong></p>.<p>Commercial music has always existed irrespective of genre. But outside of that rap music has certain qualities that is traditionally not meant to be played on TV and Radio and is more underground. There is a huge section of the audience who likes that kind of reality based stuff. At the end of the day I think the genre of music finds its people. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How would you describe your sound?</strong></p>.<p>I like mixing hip hop music with Indian folk, Carnatic and Hindustani elements. I like exploring the sounds that exist in the country. My music seeks to explore what life is like for an Indian boy.</p>.<p><strong>Your last Kannada song was released in 2019, what took you so long to get back to the language?</strong></p>.<p>I’d been wanting to do a Kannada song for a long time when ‘Maari Kannu’ happened. It did really well and I knew that if I had to do Kannada rap again it has to be something that was better that the first release. But I usually make my music in English and it’s become my thinking language so it was not an easy process. </p>.<p>One day I was making a beat and the hook of ‘Aaraam’ just popped up in my head. I was like okay, I’ve got a song, now I have to write it. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Is it difficult to write raps in Kannada?</strong></p>.<p>If you’ve studied the art of rapping and how lyrics are written it’s not as hard. But it does require a certain level of mastery over the language, a certain vocabulary. You need to constantly watch a lot of people speak the language, watch movies, etc so you can be familiar with words you may not use. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Does Bengaluru influence your music?</strong></p>.<p>Absolutely! I think Bengaluru is the most chilled out place in all of India, it’s relaxed and most people here are calmer than anywhere else in the country. It has a multicultural vibe which makes it easier for you to relate with so many different cultures. It almost feels like a mini India. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Will we be hearing more from you this year?</strong></p>.<p>Yes, lots of new tracks, new music videos and collaborations are coming out. It’s all a matter of putting them together. </p>
<p>Bengaluru’s own Vighnesh Shivanand has made a name for himself in the rap world as Brodha V. Known for his experimental sound, the rapper has returned to the scene after a year’s break. His new single, aptly titled, ‘Aaraam’, is also his foray back into Kannada rap after two years. <span class="italic">Metrolife</span> caught up with him. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How has the rap scene in India evolved?</strong></p>.<p>The change has been quite drastic, for the good. When I first started rapping in 2007/2008, there was hardly a scene. There was no scope for a career also back then. Over the years, people have been able to create a revenue stream through rap, not just as independent artistes, but also in movies, ad jingles, shows, etc. Rappers are now headlining shows and festivals, doing international collaborations. It’s growing at a massive pace. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Is rap turning into a commercial genre? </strong></p>.<p>Commercial music has always existed irrespective of genre. But outside of that rap music has certain qualities that is traditionally not meant to be played on TV and Radio and is more underground. There is a huge section of the audience who likes that kind of reality based stuff. At the end of the day I think the genre of music finds its people. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How would you describe your sound?</strong></p>.<p>I like mixing hip hop music with Indian folk, Carnatic and Hindustani elements. I like exploring the sounds that exist in the country. My music seeks to explore what life is like for an Indian boy.</p>.<p><strong>Your last Kannada song was released in 2019, what took you so long to get back to the language?</strong></p>.<p>I’d been wanting to do a Kannada song for a long time when ‘Maari Kannu’ happened. It did really well and I knew that if I had to do Kannada rap again it has to be something that was better that the first release. But I usually make my music in English and it’s become my thinking language so it was not an easy process. </p>.<p>One day I was making a beat and the hook of ‘Aaraam’ just popped up in my head. I was like okay, I’ve got a song, now I have to write it. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Is it difficult to write raps in Kannada?</strong></p>.<p>If you’ve studied the art of rapping and how lyrics are written it’s not as hard. But it does require a certain level of mastery over the language, a certain vocabulary. You need to constantly watch a lot of people speak the language, watch movies, etc so you can be familiar with words you may not use. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Does Bengaluru influence your music?</strong></p>.<p>Absolutely! I think Bengaluru is the most chilled out place in all of India, it’s relaxed and most people here are calmer than anywhere else in the country. It has a multicultural vibe which makes it easier for you to relate with so many different cultures. It almost feels like a mini India. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Will we be hearing more from you this year?</strong></p>.<p>Yes, lots of new tracks, new music videos and collaborations are coming out. It’s all a matter of putting them together. </p>
