'Working with Rajnikanth pure prayer power!' *He's worked with Rahman and Amitabh Bachchan but it's only recently, when the Rajnikanth-starrer Sivaji hit the screen and the cult rap song Style was heard everywhere, that he became headline material. * His real name, believe it or not, is Lakshmi Narasimha Vijaya Rajagopala Sheshadri Sharma Rajesh Raman. "A name that my grandfather gave me back in da day," says desi rap star Blaaze (pronounced Blaa-zay ), who has been rapping since 1991. BT raps a quick Q & A with the music man. With melodic music and remixes being so big in Bollywood (even in South film music), where does rap find a place? Rap is an art form to express oneself. If there are issues, they can be rapped about. And India is a country full of issues. World over, rap has always been around, sometimes finding its peak, at others, just staying underground. And people love to dance to it. There are rap battles in clubs. More kids and even girls are trying to rap. So it has slowly but surely found its place here.
Will it sustain? Yes, but we must understand that it's a means to express society's concerns and issues, more than just 'yo-yo ' language. The film scene, however, is using rap to get people to dance, and that in turn allows the audience to get familiar with the rhythm-andpoetry aspect. Following this will come raps in which people take on issues. We have songs on police corruption, called Ban the Crooked Police, the godmen issue, the Gujarat riots and Bilkis Bano. *These are things no other rappers in the world can talk about. It is up to the rappers here in India to do them justice. Your songs Style and The Boss are being heard everywhere. What does it feel like singing for a Rajnikanth film and working with Rahman? * *Your Pray for Me Brother was quite different. How do you mesh your styles? It was godsent - the opportunity to work on a Rajnikanth film is pure prayer power! My first song with AR Rahman was the Baba Rap for Rajnikanth, and it gave me my career. * *Sivaji happened only because of Rahman's idea, faith, and belief in me. Even when I was recording in the studio with him, the pressure was more to deliver and make Rahman happy. * *He would then handle it and make it right for Rajnikanth and Shankar. Seeing Rajnikanth with the Mottai Boss rap playing in the background made my dreams come alive... again!* You have also taught Amitabh Bachchan to rap in Bunty aur Babli as Uncle B. What was that like? How would you compare his style with Rajnikanth's? Which gave you the bigger high? Working with Uncle B was another dream come true. I actually had to interact closely with him on the sets, hence the experience was very different. It was amazing. And comparison of styles? Let's just enjoy the best of both worlds! Which Bollywood hero would you like to rap for? Who do you think has the style to make a great rapper? Bollywood... hmmm... it's all good. One particular hero I love, looked up to as a child, and been greatly influenced by his character and portrayal of an Indian rock star is the original disco dancer - Mithun Chakraborty! Of late, most international acts to India have been rock bands. Would you like to see a rapper come down? Who? Snoop Dogg. He'll be received with a lot of respect. What next? More films? Or your own records? How about a collaboration with an international star? Who would you like that to be? We have an album coming out soon called ZambeZi funK along with Sagar. Another album with Prince Ali is on the way. Films, as and when they come out. The last collaboration was with Coco Lee. The next, only time will tell. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore_Times/Working_with_Rajnikanth_pure_prayer_power/articleshow/2189276.cms
