By BASIC:
Hailing from Tripura and taking the scene by storm, Borkung Hrangkhawl is the first rap artist from the state to make it to the limelight. He frequently performs and freestyles at various events in and around New Delhi. His music is all about blending and collaborating with other artists from different musical background and create music. His songs are based on life,struggles, against discrimination/racism, injustice etc.
He also recently shared the stage with Hoobastank and released his new single ‘Free’ featuring DJ INA. Here’s a short interview:
Tell us more about yourself/ your band.
I am a Rap Artist from Tripura, currently working on my debut album “The Journey”. I usually perform with various artists and collaborate with new musicians with different musical backgrounds along the way. I won’t say I have a static band but I have friends who play along with me during live events. Like Moses Rai, Haggai Rongmei, Liem Ngadong, Sachin Shahi etc.
Tell us about your musical genre and the inspiration behind it.
My background is Rap/Hip-Hop but I don’t confine myself to one genre , so IÂ prefer collaborating with different genres of music to create something new. For Example My Title Track “The Journey”.
How did you hear about BASIC? What was your reaction?
When I first heard of BASIC, it was through an email. My first reaction was what is BASIC? who are they ? how did they come to know of me? Later on, I was humbled to be approached by the team of people who are working together selflessly towards uplifting the society and helping one another with God’s blessing. I liked the Be Aware Support, Inform and Care (BASIC) abbreviation too.
Why did you join the ‘7×7’ Music Project?
The Theme is about Drug abuse. Drug Abuse is really an issue which we all know but we hardly do anything about it. I personally know someone close in my family who is addicted to it. So I can relate to it.
Your comments on how to better channelize the musical talent in the NE. How can BASIC help?
About channelizing the musical talents from the NE, we need more initiatives like what BASIC is doing right now. There is a lot of potential of Musical Talent in our Northeast. Channelizing it can be done by well-wishers, supporters and the friends and family of the Artist/Bands. BASIC can help by recruiting them/forwarding them to the friends, supporters of BASIC who are related to the music industry to help channelize our local artists.
Your message for the society battling with the problem of drug abuse.
People should be aware of what it leads to and youngsters and teenagers should be given good education about drugs and its ill-effects. Schools should give proper guidance to the students. Church should take initiative by making sunday schools compulsory for all the kids so that they will be brought up in a positive manner. Youth camps are also a medium where we can address the problems of drug abuse.
Your message for the youngsters.
We should know whom we mingle with and what kind of company we keep. It matters a lot. Drug doesn’t lead to anything good. It just harms your body and we should not forget our body is a temple of God. So, we need to praise the almighty by body and by spirit.
Your dream for NE India.
My dream for NE India in the future will be a drug free, united and peaceful state.