A classical twist to Rap music
Have you ever thought of a fusion between mainstream hip-hop and Indian classical genre? Though the combination of the two genres seems unlikely, Vignesh Shivanand, popularly known as Brodha V, has mastered the art of adding Carnatic flair to quintessential rap. Considered one of India’s best rappers, Brodha V is loved for his unique style of blending Rap Music with Indian classical and folk genres. Brodha V’s love for going beyond the conventional is evident in his multifaceted style of music that infuses local flavours in the fabric of rap. His earliest inspirations for blending the two came from AR Rahman’s ‘Pettai Rap’. Having grown up in a traditional household during the 90’s, classical music was a large part of Brodha V’s growing up years. During his teenage years he was influenced by western artists like Eminem, Timbaland and 2Pac. As a teenager, hip hop music became an outlet for expression. He decided to experiment with the two by mixing classical melodies over western sequences. What started off as an experiment soon became his signature style of music! Brodha V’s style of composition is a new dawn of fusion music that pushes the boundaries between varied music styles. Over the last few years Brodha V’s singles like Aathma Raama, Aigiri Nandini, Round Round and Indian Flava has garnered a loyal fan base for his style of music. Unlike his counterparts, Brodha V’s story style lyricism is a shift from slang laden lyrics that are typically associated with rap songs. His compositions are lyrical and are known for their catchy hooks. Brodha V has also worked in multiple Bollywood and South Indian movies. His popular film associations include Chennai Express, Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge and Kaaki Sattai, where he worked with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Vishal and Shekhar, Anirudh Ravichander and Benny Dayal to name a few. As an independent artist, Brodha V believes that good music does not require a record label to become successful. From creating independent content to promoting oneself, artists don’t need labels to play their music.