A speedy rise

Raftaar, who shot to fame in a short span of time, is an endowed music producer, songwriter and singer. Raftaar collaborated on “Tamanche Pe Disco” in 2013 and “Whistle Baja” in 2014 and “Gabbar Is Back” in 2015, which went onto become instant hits with the masses and became a constant fixture on the airwaves.

Consequently, he went on to win the prestigious Brit Asia Award from the UK for ‘Best Urban Single’ in 2014 along with Manj Musik. A Malayali by origin, and raised in New Delhi, Dilin Nair, better known as Raftaar, raps in Hindi, Punjabi, Haryanvi, and sometimes in Malayalam. His music has given him a strong platform in the film and music industry worldwide. His latest innings include his contribution to MTV Coke Studio.

Tell us about "Instagram Love"?
This is my first single as a solo artiste now. The trend of falling in love over the internet, scouring through different profiles and different pictures is so widespread now. Nowadays with smartphones and the internet, it's very easy to search for someone and go through their profiles, their information, and pictures. What's more easier is to make yourself believe that you are in love with them. This is about a guy falling for a girl after looking at a herpictures on a photo sharing app Instagram. I decided why not make a song out of this and it wouldn’t be possible without Ankit Khanna and Gurpreet Singh.

Why did you choose your stage name as Raftaar?
When I started rapping, I was on my own. I have shaped myself and my art. I always do stuff very spontaneously and my raps are quite impromptu most of the time. I am very quick at rhyming, just give me a word. Hence I chose my stage name as Raftaar.

What is the inspiration behind your songs?
I am an artist, an experimenting one at that! I keep getting inspiration from daily life happenings, current trends. Also, Manj Paji is my mentor and I always take his insights while working on a new project. That's about it.

Are you coming up with any numbers for Hindi films?
There are a few Bollywood projects that I am working on with Sachin Jigar, Pritam Da and also with A R Rahman sir.

Since when did you start rapping?
It was the Delhi vibe that got me into rapping. I saw, I adapted, I learnt and now I am here. Yes, there were periods of wannabe-ism (laughs) that's what people talk nowadays, isn't it? But all said and done God and the RAA Army has been a rock for me. I started off as a dancer and I went on to do a dancing reality show as well and I rapped on that show even though it was a dance-based show. I ended up at position 8 but I knew rap was my calling.

Who is your favourite artist?
I am inspired by Lucky Ali, Eminem, Cold Play, Jacko, Kendrick Lamar and love the way Vishal Dadlani sings. I hope to work with them someday. Also RAA Army, Manj and Nindy have been my role models. They stood by me when no one did.

Do you think growing up in Delhi helped you in your career?
I moved to Delhi many years ago. However, it was Noida where I used to frequent along with the other boys who were aspiring rappers. I technically started my career as a professional rapper in the city because it was here I had my first paid gig. It was at a pub in Sector 18 some six-seven years ago that I first performed. Back then, I hadn't even assumed my stage name

Is anything there on the pipeline?
A lot of singles are planned as a part of my album ‘Zero to Infinity’. Then there is endless list of songs with Manj Musik and the rest of the team.

By: Navin Pivhal