Kr$na V/S KRISHNA

India's hip-hop scene is flaming hot and Kr$na, who just dropped his new EP Far From Over, ignites it with a staggering mix of Hindi-English lyrics and a superior rap delivery that's earned him a place in the big boys' club. But who's the real Krishna Kaul when the mic drops? We find out

- SHIVANGI LOLAYEKAR

When Kr$na entered the Man’s World set, he was everything you’d expect out of one of India’s most audacious rappers. A walking-talking hype beast decked out in an Acne Studios t-shirt, sacai pants, a personalised monogrammed Louis Vuitton duffel and mint AJ1s. His eyebrow slit and immaculate fade is a precursor to his slow, swagger-inducing walk. His entry is fronted by his dedicated manager Sagar, because which big-ticket musician enters the stage solo? Yet, besides his urban get-up that would look right at home in Tokyo or the West Coast, there’s nothing to suggest that the Gurgaon native spits out fireball lyrics at an earth-shattering velocity that makes you shut up and listen.

In real time, Krishna Kaul is restrained. Soft. Concealed. A manner that’s made both fans and haters question his attitude off stage that could come off as, in his own words, “standoffish.” But unlike many of his ilk, the 34-year-old—who forms the old guard of Indian rappers and is very much a part of the present scene—carries maturity and a quiet confidence that’s directly proportionate to his age. He doesn’t try hard to impress you. He’ll disclose only the bare minimum unless prodded. And he lets out a big smile if you manage to go beyond surface exchanges.

But make no mistake, Kaul’s every move and the image he projects to his audience is carefully calibrated. He likes his life to be private, and his music to do all the talking. That’s when you get a look into his psyche. A front-row seat into his state of mind, past struggle and current place in the crowded world that is Indian hip-hop. One in which he stands out for his lyrical dexterity that is arguably second to none, oscillating between Hindi and English in a manner that helps him craft his own language.