A-Gan on the Rap Realm
Chennai rapper impresses judges at all-India talent search
Rap music in India is possibly amongst the genres least restricted by language, but Hip-hop from South India is understood by fewer people in the country than Hindi rap. Yet some artistes have managed to break through. Anbu Ganapathy aka A-Gan took a big leap towards success by winning the prestigious Red Bull Spotlight, a nationwide-hunt to find and support India's next rap superstar. “It was quite a surprise for me. When I joined the other participants, I was just hoping to be part of it and learn as much as I could from the mentors who are the big names of this industry. I gave my best throughout. In the finale, I suffered a setback as I couldn't control my breathing well. But I am glad I won it,” says A-Gan. The 21-year-old from Chennai raps largely in Tamil. Though many of the judges and mentors didn’t understand the lyrics, Emiway Bantai was blown away by him and Brodha V. said he could see all of Tamil Nadu loving A-Gan.
Through the course of the series, which features Delhi-based duo Seedhe Maut as masters of ceremony, the eight finalists were mentored by the best in the business. They then fought it out for the title in the grand finale. As winner, A-Gan gets a chance to record a full-length album in a professional recording studio. He will also get support to plan its release, as well as bring out a music video and more.
“For upcoming talents like me who wait for a breakthrough in the rap, this is a huge morale booster,” says AGan. “I am an introvert. But I turn to someone else or to my alter ego when I get hold of a mic Anbu Ganapathy becomes A-Gan then,” he shares. Detailing his career course, he said, “I started my journey in 2018. Earlier I was into filmmaking and had done some short films. But when I started rapping, it really got into my mind and I started writing my own songs. I hope to continue this as my full-time career once I complete my masters degree (MBA).” Before working on the album, A-Gan plans to release an EP which he worked on during the pandemic.
Most of the time I rap about the things I experience in society. If you write and present it well, the best rap music is inspiring. It motivates, teaches and it gives insight. I give a comic element to my lyrics