Singaporean breakthrough artist Yung Raja is hands down the indelible face of South-east Asian hip-hop. The bilingual rapper is renowned for his sharp flow and clever lyricism, seamlessly blending Western and Tamil influences with an infectious positive vibe. With his impressive command of English-Tamil rap, the emerging artist encourages fans to embrace diversity and celebrate their unique identities. After the viral success of his debut single Mustafa, the trailblazing rapper maintained his momentum with a string of hit releases. His second single, Mad Blessings, garnered praise from Lupe Fiasco and M.I.A., making history as the first English-Tamil song to receive airplay on Malaysia’s top Malay Radio Station Era. Following this, The Dance Song gained immense popularity in Singapore, Malaysia and India, accumulating over six million views and inspiring the creation of eight million videos featuring the song as its soundtrack. With his latest track High Fashion, he is solidifying his position as a rising star in the global hip-hop scene.
What was it like growing up in an immigrant home, with dual identities, in Singapore?
I was born and raised in an immigrant household in Singapore. The Singaporean experience was always a bit confusing for me because it’s a mix of different ethnicities and everyone speaks English. My family is from India and they kept to their ways when they moved to Singapore. I finally visited South India when I was seven and it was an eye-opening experience. It helped me understand my roots and family better. Now, I’m a Singaporean Tamil boy, trying to figure out my identity. Creating music in Singapore has been a challenge due to the expenses but I’ve learned to adapt and stay creative despite the struggles.
So much has been said about your dual identity and how it finds its way into the music. Tell us what you take away from each other and then marry them both.
The things that have influenced me are a mix of what I have picked up over time. Growing up, you are exposed to many things but what you choose to love and connect with is unique to who you are as a person. I often think about what makes me unique and what I love about the Tamil and English worlds. For example, growing up watching Tamil movies from the 90s and early 2000s, like Vijay and Ajith movies, is a special experience that only a Tamil personwould understand. I cherish these moments and it excites me to talk about them with others who share the same background.
I also have been influenced by the global hip-hop world. As a young boy, I was blown away by their artistry, even though I didn’t fully understand it. Now, as Yung Raja, I’ve been able to merge these influences seamlessly to create my own music, videos and fashion. My artistic expression is fuelled by the integration of these two different worlds. My work represents the experience of a Tamil man trying to make sense of his identity in a Western environment.
When rap music emerged, it was known for being anti-establishment. What kind of voice do you aim to create with your music?
The way I see it, I aim to present my identity in a new light, a perspective I have yet to encounter and would be thrilled to witness it materialise. Growing up as a Tamil man, I rarely came across individuals whom I truly admired. Rajinikanth was my first superhero, followed by Eminem. However, as I matured, I developed a passion for rappers and the world of hip-hop. Figures like 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg, alongside Rajinikanth, are the only individuals I can genuinely relate to as a Tamil man. In my proximity, there wereno role models I could draw inspiration from. Consequently, I decided to become my own superhero in a sense. When I witnessed these rappers doing extraordinary things, I realised that they were larger than life. I couldn’t identify with the popular portrayal of Tamil men in the media, who were primarily actors. Therefore, I take immense pride and joy in ensuring that my journey represents a new path for Tamil men. Many people I encounter have little knowledge about Tamilians or South Indians. For instance, when I performed at Rolling Loud, I was told that I was the first Tamil rapper to be a part of the event. Similarly, when I opened for 50 Cent, I was informed that they hadn’t heard Tamil before. But the audience was with me because I used Tanglish to share my culture without alienating any audience.
Words Hansika Lohani
Date 22.03.2025