Exclusive: Rapper Raftaar on collaborating with maestro AR Rahman: 'I felt like I might have just begun making it'

Raftaar's journey began in 2008 when he started rapping alongside Lil Golu and Ikka, while also showcasing his dance skills on Dance India Dance in 2011.

Rapper and dancer Raftaar, born Dilin Nair, has established himself as a powerhouse in the music industry.

His journey began in 2008 when he started rapping alongside Lil Golu and Ikka, while also showcasing his dance skills on Dance India Dance in 2011. Over the years, he has evolved into a multifaceted artist, not just creating music but also taking on the role of a judge on popular reality shows like MTV Hustle, Dance India Dance, and Roadies.

In an exclusive conversation with Money Control, Raftaar opened about his artistic journey, the inspiration behind his latest track Bawe, and his experience mentoring emerging talents, particularly on MTV Hustle. He also shared valuable advice for newcomers, highlighting what it takes to stand out in the competitive music industry.

Excerpts from the interview:

1. Your music often blends diverse genres and styles. What inspires you to experiment with such versatility in your tracks?

I am never happy with whatever I have done. I am still trying to find one thing that makes me feel like yes, I am a true musician. So, I am still on the path to be a full musician. I am learning every day. That's why, as a student, I need to make mistakes. These are the mistakes you dance on. So, I would like to one day get to my banger.

2. Over the years, you’ve become a prominent figure in the Indian rap scene. According to you, how has the rapping scenario changed over the years?

From being just underground to now being mainstream and accepted, it’s like when we started hip-hop 16-17 years ago and we came into this scene, there were not a lot of people. Our parents didn't listen to Hip-Hop. Now, luckily, we have kids with parents who listen to hip hop and with time passing by Hip-Hop has become a household name. But still we are a part of Bollywood, so more the reason we would like to mix it up.

3.   How has your experience been as a judge on the rap battle show, MTV Hustle?

Well, it's been crazy. I was there for the 1st season and then I was there for the 2nd season as well and changes that took place in between really made me feel like, yes we started off at such a small pedestal and now it is like a full blown platform where people actually come and become superstars. If I give out examples of people like King, Paradox, MC Square, and many more. We just needed a platform where people were ready to perform.

4. How has your journey as a judge and mentor on Roadies influenced your perspective on youth culture in India?

We are just making a show. That's all I would really say. You come and compete for cash prize or whatever you get in the end - a bike or a car or whatever, and that's about it.

5. You’ve collaborated with so many artists. Can you tell us one of your best experiences while working with them?

See the best experience will forever be meeting Rahman Sir. Being at his home and he's playing some random piano melodies to me. Basically, he's freestyling, but they sound like top notch symphonies. And he asked me to freestyle on them and suddenly puts his phone in the front and he records me freestyling on his piano ballad. That just in itself was like, okay he wants a memory with me on his phone. Let's get it, bro. But it was the first step. Then he took me to Shankar sir’s home, and we saw a movie that was unreleased. So, the scenario where I am sitting with Shankar Sir and Rahman Sir, and we are watching a Tamil movie. I'm sitting there and I was supposed to translate the songs to Hindi. But just the experience of being there was such big validation for me. I felt like I might have just begun making it.

6.  How do you balance your responsibilities as an artist, performer, and reality show judge?

I will never complain about any of these jobs being acting to me, because I set out to be busy. And the more I am busy, the more I'm seen. Its when I'm not busy, things start to catch up. Also, you know when we do shows like Royal Stag BoomBox, it's because it's an extended part of my personality. It is when I feel I’m not just a musician, I am an artist. I love creation. Music just happens to be the best form of my creations.

7.  What advice would you give to aspiring rappers and musicians trying to make their mark?

Don't copy somebody else's style. Copy as in there is no blueprint that will work for you. One scratch card will only work once. Keep making songs of your own style, because then you will get a small unique audience that will go out and talk to people saying Chinese whisper, word of horse’s mouth that if you have not heard this, you haven’t heard anything. So make sure you make music that at least some people who really believe in it like and then they are going to spread it like wildfire. Get your own game.

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8.  If you could team up with any international rapper for a track, who would it be and why?

At this moment, I think I would like to work with J Coleman. It's just so relaxed and he's cut off from the entire industry. I kind of feel like he is me over there. Yes, that would be great.

9.  Can you tell us something about your upcoming projects?

Talking about the upcoming projects, I just dropped one with Samay that was supposed to be upcoming, but we dropped it early. Apart from that I'm doing EP again. Also, I never announce my music, because I like to keep the surprise intact, so they just talk about the song. So I would just like to create things, I put it out and then people decide. We were releasing ‘Bawe’ at 9:00 in the night and we put out a poster at 8:00. That’s when people like our work.