CyberSansar : Exclusive

Candid talk with DA 69
-By Preity Acharya

(The article and photos may not be reproduced or published in any form without the written permission of the publisher.)

Hip Hop R&B music hasn't been round that long, but it has been able to engulf our young generation into it. We have seen people dressing up with loose outfits with pants hung up, big chains around the neck, durags and what not! Coming to the music.... "Hip hop & Rap" comes hand in hand. But what is it actually? We got a short, yet meaningful answer to it. "It's all about talking in beats."

DA 69 needs no introduction to the rap music lovers. CyberNepal caught up exclusive with DA 69, who gave both a message and meaning to this music. "It's a freedom of expression". That's why we call Rap as "Rhythm" & "Poetry".

Tell us about your music.

I'm a rapper and I enjoy my profession very much. "It's a freedom of expression"... As I said, Rap is all about expressing yourself in beats. You neither have any boundaries nor any obstruction to it. You're free to express whatever you have within yourself. That's why it's fun rapping.

Do you do any free styles?

Not yet! I've not done it but would Love to do it. Nepali music is just moving towards rap. So, until now this trend has not been developed so far. It's like Nepali Dohori. You express yourself on the spot and beat your opponent through your conversation.

Tell us about your musical career. How did you get in rapping?
Well, I should say I'm into Rap because of "G.P". They offered me for the song "Ex. Ma Yasto Chu" which gave me a good break. I was always interested in Rap business.

Had you sung any songs before "Ma Yasto Chu"? Or that was your first recorded one?

No, I'd sing before with Sugam and we're planning out for an album but then we'd a communication gap. So, Sugam happened to come out in a solo album. I've also sung with him in his first record?

What is the reason behind your name DA 69?

Well! This name is given to me by G.P. It means Dead and Alive, that's DA. Actually the story behind it was when Sugam and I had a communication gap, he planned to come out as a solo artist and at the time, I was like dead. But again, after GP gave me a break for "Ma Yasto Chu". I was really inspired and my music was re-incarnated that's why I was like alive once again. So, that's "DA" and 69 is my favorite number.

You're a news reader and a rapper. Tell us about these two professions.

(He smiles). Well! I'm a rapper because I love music. I mean! "It’s in my blood". About being a news reader, I did my graduation in journalism from R.R College (specialization in television). Being a news reader, I'm utilizing my knowledge. Recently, I'm working for Kantipur Television.

How is it being both rapper and a news reader?

(He laughs again). I love my both professions. It's so happening! Sometimes I'm in the concerts with all those loose fits and the other time, with a tie round my neck reading the news. So it's very exciting. But whenever, I’m inside Kantipur's territory as a news reader. "I'm Sudhin Pokhrel" not DA 69 or anything else. Whenever I'm outside, I'm DA 69, So, that's how I've managed doing it. I never talk about music inside the office and I don't feel like.

How was the experience singing for GP in "Ma Yasto Chu" and with Pranil in his recently released album May 18th?

Well! I was very excited about the first song. It was wonderful working with them as they're my ideal artists. About working with Pranil dai, I enjoyed the song. He’d already had the lyrics. So, I did the rap.

Tell us about your upcoming album and the people behind it?

"The Unity Presents X" is a pure Nepali Rap album. There are 9 songs in the album and it is being brought in the market by Music.com. We are planning to release it very soon. Aidray, an upcoming rapper is joining me and Girish in this album. So we're "Girish & the Unity".

Which bands did you grow up listening to?

Hmm.. Linkin Park! I simply love the music especially the fusion they’ve made with rock and hip hop in rap style. Other Limbizkit & Balle Sagoo's remix.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Candid talk is a new column started to promote music artists and bring them closer to the listeners. Well, what do you think should be added here to make this column better, interesting and spicy?? Whom do you want to see featured in this column? Send in your responses here.

Your Response (The email does not go to DA 69)

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