We spoke to Harass about his journey into Grime music, his EP ‘Aapah’, the cover art, and his vision for his upcoming project and his future plans. Here is the full interview with Harass.

Hi Harass, first of all, thanks a lot for taking out your time for this. How are you? How has life been off late?

Hey, I’m good, Life is also great, bahut kuch ho raha hai zindagi mein (New music, Working on the debut album, etc) so I’m grateful for the manifestations & Looking forward to further creations.

For all the new people tuning in here, how would you describe yourself? Who is Harass? Where is he from? 

Yo! I am Harsh Parmar, aka Harass, and I am a Hindi/Urdu Hip Hop Rap Artist. My journey began in my hometown of Khagaul in Bihar, which happens to be the birthplace of Aryabhatt. I pursued my education until the 10th grade there. After that, I decided to drop out of my B.Tech (Computer Science) program. It was in 2015 that I started creating music, and since then, I have released three EPs and more than 10 singles to date.

When I came across your song YOD, before even listening to the song, what caught my attention was your name. You certainly have a very unique name for a rapper. Can you share the story behind the name?

Initially, I went by the stage name “HBlack,” which I came up with myself. The “H” stood for Harsh, my first name, and “Black” represented the cultural influences that shaped me. However, during my first semester, a friend suggested a different name for me. He said, “Bro, instead of sticking with HBlack, why not change it to Harass? As the word itself is unique & one of its kind.” Intrigued, I looked up the name and discovered that it had no other associations on the planet. It made me more conscious while crafting my bars and added a layer of alter ego to my persona.

Coming to your upcoming project Aapah has generated intrigue among people for multiple reasons. For starters, the cover art and the name are not something you generally see in Indian hip-hop. Can you take us through the vision behind them?

I conceived the concept for the cover art, and then it was brought to life digitally by my talented friend and art creator, Akshay Gulani. The inspiration for the concept was drawn from the Bhagavad Gita, a revered scripture. The EP itself takes its name from this concept. Within the EP, you’ll find five songs that revolve around the theme of the circle of life. Each track represents a different stage, reflecting the journey from a novice artist to becoming a top-tier talent.

The most significant talking point about Aapah is the fact that it is a complete Grime EP. Grime as a genre hasn’t been explored in India yet you chose to make an entire project in that sound. What made you take this step?

I remember back in September 2021, I created my first Grime track called ‘Mrigtrishna,’ and after that, I felt the desire to turn it into a project. Over the past four to five years, I had been listening to Grime, and I discovered a lot from it. I was particularly inspired by the drum work, sample-based chops, engaging percussions, and frequent transitions in the production. With this inspiration in mind, I approached my brother Laudrup to produce the entire EP, and he crafted gritty beats, each one distinct from the others. Quality beats are important to me because they allow me to convey meaning through my lyrics. Instead of adhering to strict rules, I drew inspiration from various sources and created a unique sound. Essentially, it’s a representation of my locally grown music with an international appeal.

How would you describe the theme of Aapah? What meaning does this project hold for you?

Aapah embodies sheer greatness and holds a significant place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite projects. Its theme is rooted in your journey to becoming the embodiment of artistic brilliance, personified by the name Rudaki.

Coming back to grime, did you make any changes in your writing and delivery to adapt to the grime sound? 

Certainly, one of the beats is devoid of drums, while another incorporates a sample of a Turkish azan. One beat features a rapid-fire rap style, while another pays tribute to the Ustaad, and finally, the anthem Rudaki takes center stage. Each beat has its distinct pockets, complemented by energetic ad-libs that amplify the lyrical content. The sounds are skillfully and expansively utilized, incorporating unique patterns of lyrics to create a truly distinctive musical experience.

What are your expectations from this project? What impact do you want this EP to leave on the audience?

My expectation from this EP is that it will mark the beginning of the Hindi grime wave in India. As a trailblazer in this genre, I am currently working on a comprehensive grime rap album. I am genuinely excited because this EP is bound to serve as a catalyst, inspiring numerous other artists and leaving a remarkable impact on the history of music. The influence it will have is bound to be extraordinary.

What are your plans post the release of this EP? Are you working on an album or a different sound? 

Yeah, Yeah it’s happening! I have a highly anticipated launch show scheduled for this EP on the 10th of June, and simultaneously, I have already finalized 70% of the production for my forthcoming debut full-length album. The album will be released shortly after the EP, creating a continuous stream of musical offerings for my audience.

Do you have a wishlist of rappers who you would like to collaborate with? Who is your dream collaboration?

I’m not thrilled with this question because I prefer collaborating with my close friends. As for featuring artists, I would rather keep that under wraps for now. However, I will be unveiling the complete tracklist for my upcoming album shortly. If you’re curious about names, you can expect Aakarshit, Lit Trust, Raaj, and many more talented individuals from the GRT community. I also want to give a special shout-out to Arj, Laudrup, Sliminem, and Arun Yadav. That’s all I can share for now.

Follow and listen to Harass on Spotify