As music journalists in India, we are just not used to telling stories of incredible successes; we are more than grateful when some of our favorite acts finally release a well-produced EP or make an average effort to curate an audience online. If they amass millions of fans or chase their dream armed with a publicist, a stylist, a digital agency and a sponsor, we are quick to dismiss them as sellouts. God forbid if they start playing stadium-level shows or herald a pop-culture revolution – in that case we often love to write their music off as too mass-y or mainstream. Perhaps, we the critics haven’t trained ourselves to witness greatness.
And then comes along an artist like VivianFernandes, better known as DIVINE, who can do without a real introduction really. To call him an overnight success, which neo enthusiasts of hip-hop often label him, is a humongous disservice to the Mumbai rapper’s arduous path to excellence in the past decade. There’s the unmistakable bravado – on the opening track of his new album Punya Paap, he sings “jwala laya main game mein/dollar laya main game mein (I started the fire/I brought home the dollars)” – but stripped of his on-stage on in-studio armor, you’d rarely find him celebrating his laurels. “It’s not just me -- it’s the whole movement that’s making noise,” says the 30-year-old rapper.
This story is from the January 2021 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2021 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Diljit Dosanjh on 'Amar Singh Chamkila' and International Collabs
All eyes are on Netflix’s latest biopic on the life of a legendary Punjabi voice, which is essayed by the singer-actor
FAISAL KAPADIA ON TURNING TO SYNTH-POP AND HIS FAVORITE INDIAN INDIE ACTS
ONE HALF OF LEGENDARY PAKISTANI POP-ROCK DUO STRINGS, KAPADIA TALKS ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM ‘COKE STUDIO’ TO HIS SOLO ALBUM ‘ZINDAGI JAHAAN LE JAAYE’ AND A POTENTIAL COLLABORATION WITH ANKUR TEWARI, KARSH KALE AND ARNOB
The Amy Winehouse Business Is Booming
Thirteen years after the retro-soul singer’s death, tribute bands, album reissues, and a new biopic are keeping her rebel spirit alive
'No Filter Neha': B-Town Celebs at Their Unfiltered Best
No Filter Neha' is spilling the beans while also providing insightful analyses of celebrity narratives that are worth learning about, capturing the essence of human experiences and emotions
Tiger Baby Records Unveils 'Dance With Me,' a Funky Collaboration with SoBo House of Music
The EP includes vocals by students from SoBo House of Music
Kathleen Hanna
The punk icon on her memoir, Lyme disease, and Kurt Cobain
BECOMING A.C.E
TAKING IT FROM BUSKING TO COVERING POPULAR DANCE CHOREOGRAPHIES TO THEIR BEGINNINGS TO BECOMING K-POP ARTISTS, AND THEN COMING BACK AFTER A HIATUS, A.C.E’S STORY IS AN INUNDATION OF FOND MEMORIES
Omar Apollo
The Mexican American star on befriending SZA, jamming out to Beyoncé, and making music for arenas
'Khosla Ka Ghosla' Composer Dhruv Dhalla Has New Music and a New Perspective
The keyboardist and composer’s next song will appear in Bollywood film ‘Mr. & Mrs. Mahi,’ with singer Kavita Seth and lyricist Devendra Kafir
The Highs and Lows of Girl in Red
The super-relatable pop singer from Norway is ready for her close-up after touring with Taylor