"It's all about that one moment when your track comes on and you hear people say 'Aree, yeh ladka kaun hai?' (Who's that boy?). These words from Gully Gang rapper Altaf Shaikh aka MC Altaf, echo the philosophy of an entirely new generation of Bombay hip-hop. What this post-Gully Boy class of rappers believes in is simple - using beats that stand out to tell stories that are as personal as they are universal. To these artists, music is a mere medium, a vehicle for their masterfully crafted stories.
"Sure it should sound good, but that doesn't mean you make songs you don't want to make. What does well and what doesn't is beyond your control; it's 'I love Dino James' today and 'f*ck Dino James' tomorrow. All you can do is confidently place your head on the guillotine and look them in the eye as they pull the string," says rapper Dino James.
MC ALTAF
IN THE HOOD
In his formative years, Shaikh's now-famous neighbourhood, Dharavi, had already been bitten by the hip-hop bug. The kids in his vicinity had caught wind of the breakthrough phenomenon that was B-boying. Amidst all their day-to-day problems, the slums fostered a thriving hip-hop culture that gave young kids a chance to dream of a world better than theirs. "It's like the Tupac (Shakur) poem," says Shaikh. "It was the rose that grew from concrete." Shaikh started saving up for new, funkier clothes to fit in. "I want to be as 'fresh' as these kids I saw. Their Tupac and Biggie T-shirts and baggy pants were more than just clothes for me. It was a way of standing out."
This story is from the August 2022 edition of Grazia 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 August 2022 edition of Grazia 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
STRAIGHT-TALKING
Designer Urvashi Kaur writes about her commitment to a more inclusive and sustainable future of fashion built around her community
FANTASY & THE FAMILIAR
Author Leigh Bardugo on creating a believable world and writing fiction inspired by history
BELLE OF THE BALL
As the popular show is ready to release its third season, costume designer John Glaser and make-up artist Erika Okvist share their insights on bringing the characters of Bridgerton fo ife
IN TREATMENT
What mental health experts want you to know about therapy beyond CBT and, well, Instagram
MEDIEVAL TREASURES
Jaipur's new crown jewel, the Museum Of Minakari Heritage, is a tight little promise of pleasure
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
Key womenswear trends from the 1960s are doing the rounds on our feeds, and have even made it to our summer mood boards. We unpack the opposing forces shaping this redux
YOUR PERSONAL OASIS
If a well-deserved break is what you need, then this property is perfect for you
IN HER ELEMENT
If Elisabeth Moss didn’t already ho. an extensive filmography, he has now added a spy show into the mix as well. As Moss delves into the realm of action with FX’s The Veil, the actor reveals how she got under the skin of her character
EMBROIDERED TO PERFECTION
Ancient Indian myths and their modern reinterpretations reign supreme at the Venice Biennale this time
A SWEET SLICE OF GLAM
It’s the season of beaches, sunning, and summer plans and this resort ensures that your TLC and your parties are all under one roof