yashraj

With chart-topping collaborations with seasoned veterans, this rapper has consistently been in the conversations of industry observers

- Aaryaman Trivedi

AFFABILITY IS SOMETHING that Yashraj possesses in tonnes. The young Bombay-based rapper took the Indian hip-hop scene by storm with his powerful delivery, intricately crafted lyricism, and innate hunger to prove his own mettle. With chart-topping collaborations with seasoned veterans like KSHMR and Karan Kanchan, the rapper has consistently been in the conversations of industry observers. Rolling Stone India spoke with Yashraj to explore his journey to reaching to the point of career-comfort that has allowed him to innovate to the degree that he is able to today.

Rolling Stone India: Who is Yashraj and how is he different from Yashraj Mehra?

I think Yashaj is the person that was brave enough to do everything Yashaj Mehra couldn't or say everything that Yashaj Mehra couldn't. So, I think I was always a kid on stage, but to have the ability to do that with my own music, to do that with my own lyricism, to do that with the same people I've worked with, has always been like this dream. And I think it's the ideal self. I think me just being able to live this life, get on the stage, have that switch, which switch is real. Like the switch is really real though. Like I'm different when I'm normally operating with my friends or while I'm in the studio also.

But stage is just like home to me. So, I feel like that switch is very evident. And yeah, it's just, it's like my mode of expression, music, and being able to be this artist is my outlet to say anything and be whatever I can be.

Take me through your personal journey. I know you grew up in Mumbai and you mentioned in an interview that, and I found this so fascinating, your mother would read you bedtime stories?