Aspiring rapper Aaditya offers a fresh take on the genre with his recent music, blending poignant narratives and gut-wrenching emotion to tell the story of his journey in finding his voice. Here is the full interview.
1. First off, can you tell us about how you got into rap? What attracted you to this genre, and how did you begin?
I’ve always been drawn to this genre and the way it allows me to tell a story in the listener’s mind. Though I didn’t officially release anything until late 2023, music has always been a part of me, with my guitar and singing. But in 2023, I started rapping and dropped my first track. I instantly fell in love with the process of creating and releasing my own work, and seeing how people connect with it. Music is my calling and always has been.
2. Who did you listen to growing up? Was music always around?
I remember back in 2012-2013, when I was in 9th grade, my friends and I would sit in the backseat of our school bus and rap along to Kali-De-Nali and Eminem’s Rap God. At the time, I was just beginning my music journey, learning guitar and singing. Music was always around me, and my taste was all over the place. I listened to everyone from the Eagles, Bryan Adams, and Enrique Iglesias to KK, Atif Aslam, Mohit Chauhan, and Papon. And, of course, the OGs like Mafia Mundeer.
3. Coming from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, how has your hometown influenced your music and artistic vision?
78 has played a key role for me and I think it helped me gain a point of view that’s crucial for writing. This is where my music journey began back in school. Kanpur has a crowd that always supports performers and cheers them on. I also have a place in Nainital, Uttarakhand, where I usually stay.
4. Your song “Kahani” is heart-touching storytelling. What inspires your songwriting process, and how do you weave narratives into your music?
“Kahani” was my first song ever, and I wrote, recorded, and mastered it in about three days. The lyrics were inspired by a story from my own high school love life. It was nice to relive the bittersweet memories, not because I wanted to experience them again, but to revisit them.
5. Your latest track “Raasta” really connects with listeners. Can you share what inspired the song and the message or emotion you wanted to convey?
The immense pleasure I get from seeing people connect with the lyrics I wrote in “Raasta” is incredible. I focused on writing the truth as it is in this song, and people find that relatable. It’s a song about why you shouldn’t make someone your addiction.
6. How do you see your music evolving in the future? Are there any new themes or styles you’re looking to explore, or do you plan to stick with your current sound?
I’ve only recently started releasing music, so I think there’s a lot left to explore. I have a bunch of nearly ready-to-release songs with different vibes where I’ve experimented with flows and vocabulary. But you can be sure that whatever I put out will always meet a high standard of quality.
7. Who are your top 5 rappers/producers?
Well, this is a no-brainer! My top 5 are Seedhe Maut, Kr$na, Muhfaad, Panther, and Chaar Diwari.
8. Any upcoming projects we can look forward to?
I’m always experimenting with new styles and rhythms. I’ve been releasing songs with my brother PBOY, who handles the production and finishing touches. We have a lot of great tracks coming up in the next few months, including one called “Rolling on Repeat.”
9. In what ways do you hope your music connects with listeners, particularly those who resonate with your storytelling?
Experiences, both good and bad, inspire my writing. I try to stay true to myself, and since we’re all human, others have probably felt similar emotions at some point. That’s why people relate to my music so much. I want to create music that people connect with and that gives them goosebumps when they listen.
10. Lastly, how would you sum up the essence of your music in one word or phrase? Where can listeners find your music and stay updated on your latest releases and projects?
The music I create and the lyrics I write always aim to be real and carry genuine, relatable meaning. My music is available on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms. You can also check out my YouTube channel, ‘AadityaRaps.’ For updates on upcoming music, follow me on Instagram @aadityaraps.
Listen to Aaditya’s latest track on Spotify:
