The lyrically-inclined rappers are the ones who are likable and succeed in the business. The genre itself can become boring if the lyrics are not wanting you to hymn them. Rappers have said that their music has a deeper meaning to it and is used to express their thoughts on their culture.
This article talks about one such cool personality who is killing it with his rapping style and authentic vibes. Popularly known by the stage name of Kat Jr is a bilingual rapper from Darbhanga, Bihar but residing in Kolkata since a long time. Yes, i am talking about the Red FM Star Prashant Kumar Jha. He intends to represent the culture of both the states. He has a raw and funky touch in his voice which brings him as one of the best rappers out there.
“I have that typical Bihari accent in my tone by default. So I use it as an effective weapon when I write my verses and design my flow”- Prashant Kumar Jha
So, let’s begin with his exciting Lyrical Journey !
Do you think that rappers have way more influence on children than movies, television, or video games in regards to violent behavior ?
Yes , music has more influence as compared to other sources. Before being an artist , I was the audience myself, so I know how music plays a major role in influencing and promoting lifestyle. As it is known, Hip Hop is not just a genre but a lifestyle that has been in the scenario for quite a long time now. Hip Hop basically is a medium that according to me , spreads knowledge and awareness about the conditions going on around an individual. It can be anything, varying from the Personal problems and frustration to talking about wars, crime and politics. Every artist has his own section. Like I never did drugs or traded guns , so I cannot write something related to these things. You just cannot fake things. Now there’s a section which is more popular the others like writing about- money, women and booze. I know many have got a wrong perception in mind regarding rap music due to the extreme popularization of this section. But this is just a very small segment. Kids these days tend to follow these trends more. Negative things attract us more. You put on caps and chains like your favorite artist, going to the clubs , trying to look cool. But Hip Hop is a much broader topic to explain. Everything has a good side and a bad side. It’s you who has to choose.
In what ways has your music changed from when you first started ?
Umm, back when I started , I used to rap in English only. I tried to sound like Lil Wayne , whom I was obsessed with. Though I never released a song till I developed my own particular style and content. My music then was just an influence. Now , it’s my originality. My realness. I cannot stress enough on the part of originality here , it is something you are born with and you have it in you, nobody can teach you that ever. Any artist who is doing great today understands the idea behind being real very well. My music is evolving with time.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career or will plan things differently?
There’s no chance that I will back off now. I will still choose the same career. As far as I know, it’s not you who is supposed to choose, the particular thing just chooses you. I know very well that I am not made for a 9 to 5 job . Music defines me the best. You just have to find out what defines your Life the best and then there’s no way you’ll ever regret it or something related to it. But if I had to start it all over again, I would have just improvised a bit. I would have started learning music production as well. Saves money and time, hahaaa.
Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?
You just cannot count them. You just cannot count them. There are so many of them. But if I have to name one Artist whom I can rely on my bad times and look up to is none other than EMINEM. Mockingbird, when I’m gone , Not Afraid , Sing for the moment , lose yourself are some of the songs that always move me. His style is Epic and his Raps are just Eternal.
Also read ” A Beautiful Smile That Has Struggled Through Tears! Meet the “KING of SARCASM” | Nasif Akhar !“
What are your fondest musical memories ?
There are many of them. When I came to know about The Rap scene in Kolkata and met my brothers Frankie, Cizzy, Joe and Valentino for the first time. Jamming with them at Sunday Cyphers is one of my finest memories that I recall. Music has earned me many good friends. My first ever performance in life was at “Boom Bloc 2” that was organized last year in 2k16. It is just one of the most amazing moments I recall. Every Sunday is a memory where I get to see new artists, who come with the same energy and the same passion for hip hop. Making music with Streetfood (Joe & Cizzy) has always been the best part of my musical voyage.
If you could blink your eyes and be in front of a great musical journey right now, where would that place be?
Aah! I have only one such dream, “I am standing on the stage with my MOM, in front of a crowd of 50,000 people maybe who are singing my verse word to word along with me.” This is something I have dreamed about since I was a kid and I want to do it more for my mom than myself because my mom is my everything. She keeps me going everyday, she is the biggest motivational factor in my life and she always supports me no matter what.
Bring up something that was really successful or a high point in the your career ?
The opportunity that I got few months back to work for the ILAKA RAP PROJECT that was organized by RED FM was one of the best career shaping moments for me. Thanks to The Cypher Project and Streetfood music (Cizzy & Joe) for giving me this opportunity and also for believing in my work and skills since day one.
How do you separate yourself from other artists?
I am PRASHANT KUMAR JHA. Nobody can be me and I cannot be anybody else. That’s the thing. I have my own way to represent music. I was born in Bihar and I will always represent that state. I have a smooth grip on English too so that also helps me a lot when I have to write my verses and design my own story through my music in my raps.
Music promotes “lifestyles” like Punk, Indie, Emo etc better and wider than any other media platform. It is evident from the growing popularity of Rap that soon we will envision a Rap Lifestyle.
-Prashant Kumar Jha
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