Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra, is called ‘Mayanagari’ or City of Dreams as thousands of youth from across India and other countries land here every day to try their fortune. A few manage to have the best of it while others go back empty-handed. In the early 2000s, a teenage boy from Madhya Pradesh, like many youths of his age, too had moved to Mumbai with a dream to become an actor in Hindi movies oblivious of what fate has in store. It is said that Mumbai doesn’t welcome every one with open arms and it didn’t today’s Hip-hop superstar Dino James either. After struggling for eight long years as an assistant director, fitness trainer, guitar teacher, junior artiste and even a spot boy in shooting units, he couldn’t get closer to his goal. Left with little option, he returned to his home state to help his father with his work. But as the Brazilian lyricist Paulo Coelho put ‘when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it’ Dino returned to Mumbai one more time. But this time he came back not to repeat his past mistakes and as they say the rest is history.
The rapper, singer, composer and lyricist, who has been a driving force behind Hip-hop gaining traction in the country, was recently in Bhubaneswar for the first time for a show and on the sideline of the event, he had a breezy chat with Sunday POST on a host of subjects.
The excerpts here:
How do you look at your life and Hip-hop-ping madness?
I started living my life in real terms, the moment I stepped into Hip-hop. I’m always thankful to the universe because I get to do what I dreamt of and it’s happening in reality. God has chosen me to do what I like. I am extremely grateful to the Almighty, because there are many who work even harder but still don’t taste success. I am very happy about my entire journey in the music industry and being a part of Indian Hip-hop.
What made you choose Hip-hop as a profession?
It all began when I was a ‘nobody’ and trying to make ends meet. I was sharing a small single room with four others and was absolutely lost in life. I only used to listen to Hip-hop, and for me it was my Eminem, the god of the art form. One fine morning I was heartbroken and taking a stroll on the beach when a guy came up with a guitar and asked me to compose something. That was the turning point. I have tried a lot many things in life for a living. I have worked as a casting director also with Pradeep Sarkar who recently passed away. But I found my calling in Hip-hop.
When have you felt the most powerful in life?
It happened when I started writing. After completing it, I thought nobody could do this. In the entire process, you won’t need a motivational speech or anybody’s pat on the shoulder. It’s like when you meet the right individual in your life, everything just falls in place and that is when everything starts working. That was the time. I have never felt more powerful in life.
This is perhaps your first visit to Odisha. How is the hospitality here?
I have been eating ever since I set my foot on this land. I am a food lover and have been binge watching the famous places which offer the best platters, so I am going to try it all.
You have been creating music independently over the years. How long does it take for pre- and post-production processes?
It’s not a time-bound process. You can’t plan such a thing when you get the blessings of Saraswati, the goddess of music or when you are in a creative zone. Even after completing the production, sometimes you don’t feel that you are done with it. I am not a trained musician. I came from nowhere but managed to make a mark. Talking about the volume, I can create 10 songs a day, but that’s never been my objective. My aim is to produce good and powerful music. So there’s no time frame as such.
Your style reflects and relates to the sufferings of the youth across generations. What will be the theme for 2023?
I have written songs, but I am not sure about the mood. I will take it a notch higher this year. I will focus on sectors now, like club songs. I will try to do more Hip-hop numbers and have more releases. I enjoy all the aspects and flavours of Hip-hop.
How has been the journey so far?
Remembering my initial days, I can only laugh at the past, my days of struggles. When I first wrote, it was out of nowhere. I would say, today we have a much safer place for Hip-hop than it was earlier. At the end of the day, I am happy because people are listening to what I compose and what I made music out of.
Would you ever consider collaborating with the regional artistes?
Yes, of course. I am a Malayali, raised in Madhya Pradesh. Now that I have worked with international artistes, I am planning on working with a couple of Bengali artistes. Collaborating with Marathi artistes is also on the card.
How do social media affect the rap scene in India?
It requires a lot of dedication and focus to create some content, so you have to be in a certain zone. I feel social media is a great distraction in this regard. Creating is absolutely meditative and you don’t want to get disturbed with such distractions.
What is your take on Desi Hip-hop?
It is huge and going to take over everything including the world music industry.
You have created independent music and collaborated with labels also. What is your preference?
I am an independent artiste because that is how I started off. On the other hand when I collaborate with labels, then there is a dependency. Though they don’t interfere, I still love my independence.