Presenting the most famous English rapper in India - Brodha V. Brodha V is a prominent figure in the hip-hop and Indian rap scene. In the vibrant landscape of English hip-hop in India, Brodha V stands tall as a pioneer. Vighnesh Shivanand is the man behind the mic and he isn't just a rapper. He is a lyrical architect weaving intricate narratives and social commentary infused into the soulful melodies of Carnatic music. This fusion, which was a bold experiment that bridges cultural divides, has become Brodha V's signature sound. Known for his unique blend of traditional Indian music with contemporary hip-hop, Brodha V has carved out a niche for himself in an industry dominated by Bollywood music. His style of music remains captivating audiences across all backgrounds and generations alike. His journey from a passionate teenager with a love for rap to a celebrated artist has been nothing short of inspiring. He gained traction after releasing his song ‘Aathma Raama’ in the year 2012.
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| #brodhav #india #in #vighneshshivanand #music #rap |
In this blog post, we delve into the various facets of Brodha V's life, career and impact on the music industry in India. It will try providing a comprehensive overview of his contributions and legacy. This exploration delves into the artistry and life of Brodha V. Let’s go tracing his life journey from online rap battles to becoming a prominent voice in the Indian music scene. We'll dissect his lyrical prowess, the thematic tapestry woven into his music and the cultural impact of his unique fusion style on Indians.
Real name - Vighnesh Shivanand
Screen name - Brodha V
Born - March 27, 1990
Height - 5 foot 6 inches (5’6”)
Status - Married
Parents - Not publicised yet
Siblings - Not publicised yet
Career highlight - Aathma Raama
He had explained
about his screen name’s origin in an interview once. According to him, he has
stated that ‘Brodha’ stands for brother and ‘V’ is an abbreviation of his real
name’s first name which is Vighnesh.
Brief background
Brodha V was born
on March the 27th of 1990 in a place called Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
(India). Tamil Nadu always had an environment of being a very culturally rich state
in India. Therefore, he was exposed to a variety of musical influences from a
very early age. His parents were both music enthusiasts themselves. They trained
him in Indian classical music. But they were not in favour of him making his
musical venture when he revealed it to them. They eventually played a
significant role in nurturing his love for music. As a kid, Brodha V was
particularly drawn to classical Indian music, which would later become a
foundational element or part of his unique music.
During his school years, Brodha V's interest in music extended beyond just fandom and listening. His fascination with rap music started off when he stumbled upon tracks by American rap artists like Eminem and Tupac Shakur. But his inspiration for becoming a rapper first kicked off from listening to a Tamil movie’s OST. The song was called ‘Pettai Rap’ which was created by Mr. A R Rahman. Rahman was a big movie music maker in the 1990s and well-known globally. Then, he began drawing inspirations from western rap-artists like Eminem, Jay-Z, Big Pun, Nas, Pharell Williams, Quincy Jones, Rakim, Timbaland, Tupac Shakur, Wu-Tang Clan and others from the 90’s decade.
The lyrical depth and storytelling aspect of rap resonated with him. And they began sparking his ambition to pursue a career in the hip-hop/rap genre. Hence, he was inspired to take the leap and it was the right leap. He began experimenting with composing his own lyrics and exploring different musical styles.His musical style can be described as a mix from Carnatic music, Hindustani classicals, hip-hop, Indian folk music and contemporary rap genres. Today, Brodha V is one of the biggest and probably the top-most musicians of young India. By 2024, he is a music veteran.
Dawn of Brodha V
Brodha V's fascination with hip-hop began when he was around
age 18. The early 2000s witnessed the growth of the social-media platform
called Orkut. Orkut was very viral back then and died out due to competition
from Facebook in the 2010s. Orkut had become a breeding ground for several online
rap battles in India. There were "text battles" between rappers on Orkut. A rap
community on Orkut was created for rappers in India. Here, Brodha V had honed
his skills. His wordplay got sharper and his flow was becoming infectious in
these rap battles. These battles served as a launchpad for many rap artists. It
made him garner recognition within the burgeoning Indian hip-hop community.
Brodha V quickly moved onto composing his own songs with such experience in his
teens.
In the early 2000s, the Indian music audience were not very receptive to hip-hop. This kind of negative appeal was very challenging for anyone pursuing a career in hip-hop, rap and similar genres. Despite this, Brodha V formed a hip-hop group called 'Machas With Attitude' (MWA) in the year 2008. It was a three-member hip-hop group consisting of himself and two of his real-life friends. The group aimed to create music which combined the essence of Indian culture with the energetic and expressive nature of hip-hop.
Machas With Attitude rapidly gained a fast fan following for their innovative music and relatable lyrics, in India. Their tracks were often infused with social commentary and struck a chord with young listeners of the time. However, the group immediately discovered that they had limited access to industry support, low fan base putting out much, multiple rejections from cold calls for public performances and very less professional recording equipment. Despite these initial struggles, the group’s perseverance eventually paid off. They began to receive recognition in the Indian underground music scene which also began setting a stage for Brodha V's solo career later on.Challenges in the game
Like any artist,
Brodha V has faced his share of challenges and controversies throughout his
career. From navigating the competitive music industry to addressing criticisms
and setbacks, he has had to overcome various obstacles to reach where he is
today. It wasn’t easy for him in a group nor solo but his sheer skills and
dedication made it look easy. Some of his lyrics have explicit wordings.
Although they are very creative, explicit content in the public domain in India
still remains a taboo. Balancing between faith and openness meant receiving
critics. But he was able to make way through and his music remains
well-received among the Indian youth.
Despite industry challenges, Brodha V's resilience and dedication have helped him maintain his position as a leading artist in the Indian rap scene. Addressing controversies with grace and staying true to his artistic vision have been key to his continued success. The bars and creativity in his lyrics are of international standards today. You will find a lot of reaction videos on his songs from non-Indian content makers on the platform YouTube. The comic presentation in the music videos and the roasts are entertaining for all their audience.
Lyrical mastery
Brodha V isn't just a lyrical wordsmith but he's also an
entertaining storyteller. Of course, most of his songs are in the English
language but his lyrics paint vivid pictures of the world around us. They have
weaving narratives which delve into his own life experiences, social struggles
and observations from daily events in India. Tracks like ‘Basti Bounce’
highlight the realities of underprivileged communities in the Indian society,
while ‘Vaishnava Jana Toh’ offers a contemporary interpretation of a Gandhian
bhajan. Such tracks are urging for unity and social harmony in the country.
As far as what makes his lyrics unique, is the use of smart wordplay in them. In each track, he sets the bars way too high for other rappers to conquer. It’s difficult to unwind them at first listen without pausing. It’s unique also because his music may sound like a beef or a roast and also a message from every one of us to our everyday challenges or haters. His English bars are extremely intelligent and sarcastic. Because of this, people from all over the world love to listen to his music. On the internet, you may find content makers from many countries make react videos on his music. Native English speakers are fans of his English usage and the burns they give out from his songs. To understand Brodha V’s lyrical prowess fully, one has to start listening and watching his songs immediately.
Carnatic-contemporary blend
What truly sets Brodha V apart, is his ability to seamlessly
blend elements of Carnatic music (a rich South Indian classical tradition) into
his hip-hop soundscapes. This wasn't a mere fusion but it was a reimagination. Those
who know the state of Tamil Nadu in India, understand how this state is the
richest in Carnatic culture among all other states. So, like mentioned earlier,
he was exposed to great ocean of culture, music and traditions by being born
there. Brodha V's Carnatic influences manifested in captivating melodies and
intricate rhythms. It even went on to the incorporation of Carnatic instruments
like the flute and mridangam into hip-hop.
He experimented with fusing English and Indian languages like Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit and Tamil. They were not only mega success throughout the 2010s but also still relevant and on fire. His work in these regards is pioneering and drew him a huge fan following across the south of India.
Achievements
One of Brodha V's
most significant releases is the track ‘Aathma Raama’. Aathma Raama went on to
become a massive hit and solidified his place in the Indian rap scene. The
song's success opened doors for collaborations and greater opportunities for
him in the Indian music industry. Brodha V's subsequent releases such as ‘Ready
Steady Po’ and ‘Let Em Talk’ continued to receive widespread acclaim.
Rolling Stone India called him an elite in the hip hop world in the year 2014. Same year, Storypick called him as one of the best rappers in the country. In 2016, he was featured as one of the top 10 underappreciated artists by ScoopWhoop.
Live performances
Brodha V's live
performances are known for their energy and engagement. He has performed at
numerous music festivals, college events and in concerts across India. These
live performances are actively engaged in captivating audiences with his
dynamic stage presence. His ability to connect with the crowd and deliver
powerful performances has made him a sought-after live act.
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| Brodha V's performance in an evening concert |
Below is a list of his public performances.
- He has performed live in college fests across the country.
- He performed for ‘Music Matters’ festival in Singapore in the year 2018.
- He performed in a release of the phone ‘OnePlus 6T’ for the brand OnePlus and it entered Guinness World Record as the largest unboxing event in history.
- He performed in Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium for the local cricket team at it’s ‘Royal Challengers Bangalore Unbox’ event in 2024.
Solo flight
Overall, Brodha V has remained a staunchly independent
artist throughout his vast career. While some may see this as a disadvantage,
it has given him complete creative control over his music. He hasn't shied away
from collaborating with major artists and labels for specific projects. But his
core identity remains that of an independent voice.
This independence fuels his artistic vision and allows him to experiment with his style. Tracks like ‘Moodu’ showcase his versatility. He goes venturing into a more contemporary pop-rap style while retaining his signature lyrical finesse. His ability to adapt and evolve keeps his music fresh and relevant to a constantly changing audience in India.
His debut solo mixtape ‘Deathpunch’ was released in the year 2011, which showcased his raw talent and lyrical dexterity. It's lyrics are very complex, which enabled it to receive praises. Though limited in it's reach, Deathpunch caught the attention of music enthusiasts and fellow artists, laying the foundation for his future success.
In 2012, Brodha V decided to embark fully on his individual artistic vision. Driven by an independent spirit, Brodha V embarked on creating his own music after parting ways with Machas With Attitude. His early solo releases showcased his ability to blend traditional Indian musical elements with contemporary hip-hop beats. Tracks like ‘Aathma Raama’ and ‘Round Round’ received critical acclaim for their originality and lyrical prowess. Following their releases and popularity, Sony Music India signed him up. Two years later in 2015, he quit partnering with them. They had a different vision for him than what he was looking forward to achieve.Being a solo artist hasn’t limited him to stick to it. After walking out of Sony Music India deal, he had also lent his skills to other areas. Some of them are listed below.
- He inspired budding rappers to pick up hip-hop as a career; one of them being a rapper named DIVINE.
- He produced music for anthems and radio jingles.
- He acted in a Bollywood movie titled ‘Gully Boy’.
- He was a judge on MTV India’s reality show for rap genre called ‘MTV Hustle’.
- Participated in many interviews and podcasts.
Brodha V's music often addresses themes of identity, culture and social issues…all of them reflecting his personal experiences and observations from the society. His unique style, characterized by intricate wordplay and a seamless fusion of diverse musical genres has earned him a dedicated fanbase. Most of these fans want more and more from him. Doesn’t matter to them if he collaborates or drops solos. To be frank, it’s been a while since he dropped any song which is disappointing for fans.
Collaborations
Throughout his
career, Brodha V has collaborated with a diverse range of artists. These
collaborations have happened both from within India and internationally. These
collaborations have not only expanded his musical horizons but have also
contributed to the global appeal of his music. Notable collaborations include
working with Indian artists like Benny Dayal, Raghu Dixit and Vishal Dadlani.
His international were with artists such as Raftaar and Raja Kumari.
Each collaboration brings a unique flavour to Brodha V's music, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to different styles. These partnerships have also helped him reach a broader audience, further establishing his presence in the global music scene as a hip-hop powerhouse. Below is a list of his collaborations with others.
- Indian movies have songs in their storyline and he worked with music directors in producing songs for movies.
- He collaborated with standup comedians for a parody video on Iggy Azalea’s song ‘Fancy’.
- He organized India’s first rap Cypher in the year 2014 at Bangalore, which was later copied in Delhi and Mumbai.
- He collaborated in a campaign to raise awareness Congenital Heart Defect.
- He collaborated with an established artist named Benny Dayal in his song ‘Round Round’.
- He collaborated with Bangalorean YouTubers Jordindian and featured in their song ‘Vainko’ and later on again in their song ‘Basti Bounce’.
- Collaborating with Steve Knight from Flipsyde, he released a song titled ‘All Divine’ which had Malayalam lyrics.
- He collaborated with Hindi rap artist KR$NA and also featured in the song ‘Forever’.
- While being part of Machas With Attitude, they collaborated with artist Raghu Dixit for the song ‘Dheaon Dheaon’.
- Also, while with MWA, they collaborated with artist Vishal Dadlani for a movie titled ‘Chennai Express’ in a song called Ready Steady Po.
- He collaborated with a Delhi-based rap artist named ‘Raftaar’ in a song titled ‘Naachne Ka Shounq’.
- He entered into a collaboration with Puma which wanted to promote hip-hop, rap and underground music in India.
These various collaborations turned out as excellent highlights to his solo career. They go on to demonstrate how valuable other artists see Brodha V as. Such collaboration made enjoyable contributions to the music world in India and accelerated the growth of hip-hop/rap across the country. People began loving them for their comedic value and entertainment. The Indian audience is looking forward for more collaborations that include Brodha V, which is exciting!
Controversies
In the year 2018,
he had released a freestyle song called ‘Shook Ones’. It had become
controversial back then. He had called out on artists who plagiarize from the
work of other artists. He voiced against such practices in this track. Also, he
called out about the distribution of media attention for artists in India. He points
to the lack of support for artists from the media based on where they are
located. The manner in which the Indian media gives time to artists from the
north and south of India are biased. Artists from the north get major push
across the country while their counterparts have to do a lot for it. Although
the song became controversial for a while, it has died down by now.
The next year, he released a Kannada song titled ‘Maari Kannu’. Through this song, he questions about the ongoings in the society. Quoting several values, he asks his listeners to introspect on them. Since the song was borrowed from a Kannada movie from a beloved movie star of the Kannada viewers and was already popular, it did not manage to create much controversy.
In the year 2019, he released a song called ‘Vaishnava Jana Toh’. It is a socio-political anthem. India is ongoing a political and religious tension since a decade now. The situation has been very fragile and very volatile. Right after the national elections in 2019, this song had come out. The song featured the visions of Mahatma Gadhi which urged for peace and unity among all Indians. It compels the listeners to put aside all differences and welcome diversity. It advices people to look beyond cultural and religious backgrounds of their fellow Indians in order to become what Mahatma Gandhi had envisioned about India. Although well-received by fans world over, the song did not hit much on the mainstream media in India. However, he was able to perform the song on MTV Hustle’s finale show.The impact of Brodha V
Brodha V's impact on the Indian hip-hop scene is undeniable
and cannot be missed. He has inspired a generation of rappers to embrace their
cultural heritage and experiment with fusion style. His music has transcended
language barriers, finding a niche among global audiences curious about Indian
music and hip-hop's evolution in the subcontinent. Through his unique music
blending culture, faith and contemporary hip-hop, the global audience can find
certain keywords and trends of the Indian heritage. His music videos also
convey these messages using comedy, which is enjoyable to watch.
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Brodha V's influence on the Indian music industry extends beyond his commercial success. He has played a crucial role in popularizing rap and hip-hop in a country where Bollywood music had traditionally dominated. By incorporating Indian classical music and cultural references into his songs, Brodha V has made the genre more accessible and relatable to Indian audiences.
Moreover, his success has paved the way for other aspiring rappers in India, encouraging them to pursue their passion despite the challenges. Today in the 2020’s decade, there are more rappers in India. Not all of them or most of them are hitting the mainstream but are flourishing in the underground scene. He popularized Bangalore Cypher in the year 2014 which, in a way, has become a huge global hit. Rap cyphers have been popping up in many cities across the country ever since. Thanks to the platform YouTube, these Cyphers are getting publicity for fans of rap. Talented underground artists gather for these Cyphers and language is no barrier. Today on YouTube, one can find rap Cyphers in various languages depending on the cities of India.Brodha V's journey serves as a testament to the potential of Indian hip-hop and it's ability to resonate with listeners both domestically and internationally.
Personal life
While Brodha V is
known for his music, he has managed to keep much of his personal life private.
He has occasionally shared insights into his life outside of music, including
his interests and hobbies. This balance between maintaining privacy and engaging
with fans has helped him stay grounded and focused on his artistic pursuits.
At age 34 as of the year 2024, Brodha V is married. His wife’s name is Nithya Ramesh. She works as a doctor. They were married in the year 2023. They currently reside in Bengaluru city of Karnataka state in India. The couple having children or not is still not made public.
Philanthropy activities
Beyond his music
career, Brodha V is also known for his philanthropic efforts and social
contributions. He has been involved in various charitable activities. Today, he
is busy supporting causes of charities related to community development, education
and health. His efforts to give back to society reflect his commitment towards
making a positive impact beyond the music industry.
Online presence
In today’s digital
age, social media has become a crucial tool for every artist to connect with
their audience and Brodha V is no exception. He has a strong presence on
platforms like Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. He regularly interacts with fans
and shares updates about his music and life on all these platforms. You may
name search him to find him there.
Future of Brodha V
As Brodha V
continues to evolve as an artist. His future prospects look very promising as
of 2024. He has hinted at upcoming projects and collaborations which is keeping
fans eagerly anticipating for his new music. His ability to adapt to changing
musical trends while staying true to his roots, ensures that he will remain a
relevant and influential figure in the industry.
Conclusion
Brodha V's journey
from a young music enthusiast to a celebrated rapper and artist is a testament
to his talent, hard work and years of perseverance. His unique mix of Indian
classical music with contemporary hip-hop has not only set him apart, but has
also contributed to the growth and recognition of Indian rap on a global scale.
Through his music, Brodha V has addressed important social issues, inspired a new generation of artists and made a lasting impact on the Indian music industry. As he continues to innovate and explore new avenues, his legacy as a pioneer in Indian hip-hop is set to endure for years to come. He once wished to feature Tamil movie star Rajnikanth in one of his raps for a Rajnikanth movie. He also dreams of winning a Grammy award for the Best Rap Album one day. Well, with a huge potential like his, it might happen but it’s only about when. The best wishes go with him till he makes it.
#brodhav #vighneshshivanand #rap #hiphop #music #song #india #bangalore #bengaluru
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