Meet Destiny’s Child: Rapperiya Baalam

Globally, rap music is associated with the likes of Eminem, Kayne West, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown. Closer home Baba Sehgal, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Badshah, and Bohemia are creating rap music with an Indian flavour. Soon another name will be added to this list. That name is Ashok Manda Bishnoi aka Rapperiya Baalam.

So, far we had rap music based on Punjabi music; Rapperiya Baalam is adding Rajasthani flavour to the Indian rap music scene. Currently famous in the Rajasthani music scene for his catchy tunes and musical sensibilities, Rapperiya Baalam is set to make waves across India with his selection in the current season of India’s Got Talent with his band Swagsthaan.

We connected with him to know how this Rajasthani boy got into rap and how his journey has been so far…

Reliving the childhood…

Ashok’s story is full of surprising twists and turns and serendipities. Born in a farmer family originally from 9NP, Ashok shifted to Raisinghnagar with his parents for better access to education.Till Xth standard his life was pretty uneventful. In Xth he scored 82%. His grandfather was ecstatic. Rasgullas were distributed all around. This was a big thing for me, because in Rajasthan all one cares about is the division you clear your exams with. At that time a first division that too with distinction was a big thing, Ashok tells me getting nostalgic.

He had always heard so much good about Jaipur and the city life from his best friend Rajat who had shifted when he was in class VIII. It was after achieving success in the X standard exams that he got the courage to ask his grandfather permission to go to Jaipur – the city of dreams. This was perhaps the first serendipity in his life. . Ashok was wowed over by his new school when he first visited. The school opened up a wide range of opportunities for him in a variety of fields – education, sports, and drama among many others. For me all the things were so new and I wanted to participate in each and every co-curricular activity, he adds laughingly. Staying at his uncle’s place in Jaipur made his routine smooth for making the most of his school and college life.

Rapperiya’s first brush with Rap music…

Till Xth standard I had no clue that I would have any association with Music in any way. In standard 7th/8th I had started to listen to more of Punjabi Music (Jazzy B – Prince of Bhangra, Bohemiya), Ashok shares talking about his association with music. He used to listen to the songs and sing (rap) for his friends in school. These impromptu performances didn’t go unnoticed. Ashok’s teachers saw his musical acts and encouraged him to join the school’s drama club to further hone his talents. With this, music became an integral part of his life.

How and when did Ashok Bishnoi enter the world of music?

After he completed his education, Ashok laughs out loud! His father, a strict disciplinarian, was very firm on having a sound education. So, for Ashok, till graduation, studies were the main priority. Music came later. The other reason for placing music next to studies was that he never imagined Music as his future. Till graduation his first preference was studies. He always studied hard and got good marks. Even today, he thinks, irrespective of what you do in life, you must complete your basic education because it gives you a different kind of confidence.

The thought to try a career in music came after graduating. To buy time to that, he enrolled into a post graduation course in EFM (economics and finance management). These two years would not only get me a postgraduate qualification but would also give me time to prove myself in music, he says talking about how his journey in music began.

The turning points…

Once the mind was made up about what he wanted to do in life, music became the centre stage of Ashok’s life. And, as we say, take the first step and opportunities will appear if it is meant to be. Well, in Ashok’s case, music was meant to be. It was destiny.

He worked on honing his skills while studying for his PG course and musical opportunities started making their way into his life…slowly and steadily.

His formal journey started with an audition with Vagabound, a studio. They were looking for an artist to work with them on some music projects. With his association with Vagabound, his formal training in music also started. He started learning the nitty-gritties of composing and writing songs and get hands on experience and tutelage on playing musical instruments.

During this time, he also got an opportunity to visit radio stations. His interactions with the creative gurus taught him that originality is the only way to achieve lasting success and fame. It was also during this period that he got acquainted with the world of theatre.

Some of the main projects that have contributed to the making of Rapperiya Baalam

Some of the main projects that have contributed to the making of Rapperiya Baalam
Project Road Safety was his first major project. One of his juniors working in an NGO connected with him to compose something for them on road safety. This was my first RAP song. He was paid INR 3500 for this project.

Of that 3500, Ashok used INR 3000 to make the song on Jaipur with the help of another artist. He roped in his friend Gargi Banerji to be the female voice, booked a studio and recorded the Jaipur Anthem song in one hour!! This was the song that gave birth to Rapperiya Baalam (suggested by one his colleagues Mr Sood, inspired from the famous Kesariya Baalam) and gave him recognition in Jaipur’s musical circle.

As destined, Jaipur Anthem was played on Jaipur Foundation Day by RJ Sufi on 17/11/2009.

Soon after this, he got the opportunity to work on Mharo Rajasthan with Kunal Vermaa & Swaroop Khan. This beautiful song is about Rajasthan’s rich culture and heritage.
This led to another stellar and noteworthy composition, Hariyala Banna. This is a modern fusion romantic song sung by Rapperiya and Kunaal Vermaa Ft. Ravindra Upadhyay and Kamal Choudhary. It has more than 26 million views on youtube today.

Since then, there’s been no looking back…life has been rapping all the way!

Some of his popular compositions that I personally like are Taara Ri Chundadi, Laal Peeli Akhiyaan, and Banna Ji Robinhood. All these songs have more than 2 million hits on YouTube! This goes to show that regional music with international flavour is becoming popular with the viewers.

The team…

The story of Ashok’s musical journey cannot be complete without a mention of his team. Some of the most important people that contribute to the making of Rapperiya Baalam are Kunaal Vermaa, who is a songwriter. Anuj Chitlangia who has sung many songs along. Shalini Adhikary is the female lead singer of folk song Taari Ri Chundadi. Honey Sharma is the actor for a lot of Rapperiya’s songs.

On a closing note, Ashok says this journey has been possible because all the people around him and his friends including Mr. Sanjay Banthia and Mr. Vikram Singh have supported his ideas and worked hard with him to produce various hits together.

Parting thoughts…

“You have to believe in yourself. You need to keep doing your stuff. Because you’re doing what you’re doing because you like doing it. And not doing it because someone else is asking you to do that. So keep doing. You will definitely break boundaries. Eventually all things get polished in the end.” – Ashok Bishnoi aka Rapperiya Baalam.

A rapid fire round with Rapperiya Baalam, inspired from Koffee with Karan.

His answers are in bold…

Honey Singh vs Badshah
Mika Singh vs Baba Sehgal
Jay-Z vs Kanye West vs Eminem vsDrake vs Snoop Dogg
Idli Sambhar vs Chole Bhature
Bajre Ki Roti vs Wood Oven Pizza
Early Morning Person vs Late Night
Money vs Respect/Fame
Rapperiya in Bannaji Robinhood vs Rapperiya in Mharo Rajasthan
Shreya Ghosal vs Ila Arun

Tune into India’s Got Talent to listen to our Rajasthani Rapper performing with his band Swagsthaan!