In our year-ending interview are proud to present Dakait. The supremely talented rapper from Dehradun tells us about his new album, Team Evolution, his connection with his land, and a lot more. Get to know more about Dakait as an artist with grounded roots in our special interview.
Can you share something about your journey, how and when did you decide to get into rap from Uttarakhand, Dehradun?
I have been a music lover since childhood. I used to listen to regional Gadwali music a lot. I got introduced to hip-hop music in high school. I got a CD from my friend and I discovered Eminem. I began listening to more and more music but I completely fell for hip hop when I came across Bohemia in 2011. In 2013 I met Aniket Raturi and we began creating our tracks. In 2017 we became a part of Team Evolution and the rest is history.
Coming from Dehradun, how did your hometown influence your music, specifically, your unique rap style?
Dehradun raised me well. I owe this city a lot. The people, the language, and the whole culture influence me to do what I do. A calm mind with revolutionary missions is what I inherited from Devbhoomi and I try to portray it in my music.
Could you tell us a bit about Team Evolution? How has your team grown over the years?
Team Evolution India is undoubtedly the biggest hip-hop collective in India. The team was formed in 2007 by our big brothers. The team was initially all about stunt riding then followed by dance, graffiti and rap music. Team Evolution has won the only Xdl championship hosted in India and also holds a world record in the most no. of circle wheelies. My brothers are competing in international races and represent to the fullest. Our motive is to support like-minded underrated underdogs from the country and grow together as a great team. The legacy continues forever! Evolutioners salute! Aahoo!
Tell us about your creative writing process while curating such an abstract project. How do you come up with rhyme schemes that suit the storyline?
To be honest, writing comes off very naturally to me and it’s not like I am writing for a specific project when I write. While writing and recording, I realize the zone I’m in and the shape my music is taking; that is when I mold it into a project, somewhere in between. I just try to express what I’m / I was feeling in the moment and somehow it just makes sense, maybe because I have a core set in my mind.
Your recent album ‘Dev Nagri Aur Mein’ has hit the charts. Could you elaborate on the inspiration and creative process behind it?
DNAM is my solo debut album. My first album had to be a representation of the place where I was born, its people, and its culture. This place has embraced me since I was born so I had to give it back through my music. I wrote down the thoughts and ideas I wanted to present which further became the themes covered throughout the album. Shoutout to my brother Sez On The Beat for filling the beautiful tunes to my words being expressed. We knew what we were about to create – History.
How were you able to incorporate your Dehradun roots into the songs for ‘Dev Nagri Aur Mein’?
I talk to my land sometimes. I love to talk with the cool breeze, the mountains the rivers. They raised me like my Mom and Dad did. I have put my heart and soul into this project to deliver the different tales of my Bhoomi. In some of the tracks we have tried to talk about some social issues the people are facing here. Dooni traits are always there throughout the tracks as it’s natural, it’s the way we live the “Doon Valley Lifestyle”.
Are there any milestones or key moments from the process of creating ‘Dev Nagri Aur Mein’ that you’d like to share?
Yeah brother the video shoot for Dev Nagri was full of unexpected thrills. 7-8 days plan went to 13-14 days due to the landslides on the way. We witnessed the fresh landslides which could have sent us to death haha. We waited for 3 days for the roads to open and on the fourth day after visiting the Narsingh Devta temple in Joshimath, we got the routes cleared by Border Roads Organization and reached one of the main locations – Ghamshali. We feel like took the shooting permissions from the Gods as nothing went well until we visited the temples around and it was fun and meditating.
It would be exciting to know more about your upcoming collaborations or projects. Can you shed some light on what listeners can expect shortly?
As of now, I am working with my brothers Aniket Raturi and 2fistd. We are planning to drop mixtapes and album projects together. Also, I have collaborated with some of my brothers on their tracks across the country as well as the neighboring countries. Side by side I am focused on making plans and ideas for my second Album.
How do you select the artists or producers you collaborate with for your projects?
There is no particular process for it. I am open to all producers or artists. It must fit the vibe I am in the moment and I go for it. Also, some of the rap artists I collab are mostly the ones I connect with in real life. Firstly we become friends and then we get into this music shitt.
Out of all the tracks you’ve created so far, which one do you personally feel most connected to and why?
There is not one but tracks like Meri Team, Dev Nagri, Virasat, and Aatmasamman are close to my heart. They are created to bring out the revolution we want to make so these tracks make me feel the hunger for the visions at my core level.
How do you hope to influence or contribute to the rap and hip-hop scene in India especially in Uttarakhand with your music?
We want to work on ground level. Inspire the people on the streets to rise above with the help of each other. If we can do it you can do it. In the hip-hop scene, we are here to influence the hustlers out there motivate them, and give power. For the Uttarakhand hip-hop scene, we want it to become global and we are working on it. I want my UK boys to come forward in full power and represent the state and nation internationally.
Jai Devbhoomi! Jai Bharat!
Listen to Dev Nagri Aur Main on Spotify:
