Leading Singapore-based rapper Yung Raja, whose Tamil-English numbers about Tamil ethos and experiences have garnered a large multinational following, makes his way to Chennai this weekend.
Raja, whose rapping prowess was featured in Snoop Dogg’s single ‘Qualified’ last year, is currently in India for a five-city tour (including two recent NH7 performances). He is being brought to the city by music platform Circle of Love for its Block Party, which also includes an impressive line-up of rappers and DJs from across the country. The 14-strong list includes established Indian names like Ayesha Pramanik from Goa and Honeymoon Henny from Chennai, as well as prolific city talent like the versatile and socially pertinent East Coast Movement and spitfire-in-the-making Nejm. The evening will also feature performances by Santana Maria Lambert, 2Faan, Sneha Sridhar, Nez and more.
The draw here is not only old and new talent, but also newer offerings by familiar names. For instance, Harshan Radhakrishnan, more popularly known as Honeymoon Henny of the uber-popular The F16s, charted a new course in November last year. “DJing is a new path for me,” says Henny, who has written and performed for The F16s for about 10 years. He adds, “I am inclined towards House music: Tech House, Afro House, and Garage. There is a small culture coming up in Chennai; there are more venues coming up that are open to this music, and more people willing to listen to it.”
As a leading musician in the scene, Henny is looking forward to performances by the fresh crop in Chennai: “I’m excited to see 2Faan and the East Coast Movement perform live; rap is on the surge.” He marks his optimism saying, “Back in the day, not many artistes would get into indie music. Now, I think bedroom producers seem to be the norm: kids with laptops are able to create stuff that earlier required an entire band and setup. Music is being made on phones and iPads; I think we are headed in the right direction.”
At the other end of the spectrum is Nejm aka Deborah Samantha Johnson, who has released one track so far but is already turning heads with her talent. The sheer speed of her rapping can woo crowds: something Nejm first realised three years ago at the Chennai rap battle event Porkalam. “I was just there to watch, but some people urged me to freestyle,” recalls Nejm, who was surprised at the exuberance that her performance received that day. She has not looked back since.
With more music slated for release this year, she is excited not only for her own growing spotlight, but also for the chance to see famous names up close at Block Party. “The fact that I’m even in the lineup with Yung Raja is insane,” she gushes, “I’ve been a fan for long; I can’t wait to perform in front of him and all the other people.”
Block Party will be held across three venues at The Park, Nungambakkam, on April 2 from 4pm onwards. Entry is ₹2,000 per head (₹1,000 cover). Call 044 42676000.
