Un-rapping talent

An open mic event for rap artistes will give them a platform to build a sense of community

Ever since rap and hip-hop went mainstream in India about four years ago, we have been asking ourselves a question: How much of it is hype, and how far has the movement actually filtered down to the ground? Okay, so the emergence of DIVINE, Naezy and, more recently, Prabh Deep as shining beacons of the genre has painted a rosy future for the musicians still confined to the gullies, whose lyrical content is usually a reflection of the class struggles they reel under. But what platform do they have to showcase their talent beyond the confines of, say, Dharavi or Powai? Or, in other words, what path can they chart to find commercial credence in the outside world?

Malhar Phadke

This answer will become somewhat clearer this weekend, when an open mic event welcomes rappers from across Mumbai. The idea behind the initiative is to give the musicians a definite sense of community where they feel, "Yes, we now have a platform where we can bounce ideas off each other and give concrete shape to our craft." But Malhar Phadke, one of the organisers, admits that it was initially an uphill task to spread the word. "We had just one person registering in June. So this month, I have been after each and every group of hip-hop musicians I can think of in Mumbai, egging them on to sign up. Most of them weren't even aware of the event. But when they learnt of it, they showed a lot of enthusiasm," he tells us.

Consequently, the stage is now set for the city's rappers to spit the rhymes they have mastered in their bedrooms. It's a definite step in the right direction. But what's next? How can these musicians get a further leg-up towards mainstream acceptance? "Festivals," says Phadke. "We need more festivals that are dedicated to these genres, where we invite foreign artistes or famous Indian ones. That is how we can create the next Naezy, or Divine."

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