Big D Bangla In Full Swing
He got that Bengali Sauce
Entertainer versus musician.
Mom got me into classical Bengali music, acted in plays when I was young. All my aunties are singers. Maybe because of humour and that people see me as an Instagram figure. Have always wanted to be part of entertainment industry.
I wouldn’t have been a rapper if not for .Wav(y) SZN or rap culture. They birthed my interest in music. Seeing the energy and people vibing to Prav, Big Ocean, Fariz Jabba, Louie Indigo was inspiring. Even Yung Raja and Fariz Jabba used to watch Shigga Shay perform.
Writing music.
Used to write pop, relatable, Ed Sheeran-type songs. About girls, friends, partying. Wrote a song “Drunk Clarke Quay Girls”. I’m funny, I do stupid things. Funny, after writing that song I went back to that life.
When I do something on social media, I want it to be a moment.
Bengali sauce.
Friend suggested I should rap about my culture. Yung Raja raps in Tamil, Fariz Jabba in Malay. Can’t just rap about hoes, bitches, money.
Wrote the hook off the beat. Recorded over a month, mixed and mastered. Had so much collaboration executing my vision. Matt helped with production. Worked with Shafeeq (who designed cover art), Feroz Falique shot the video. Abang Sapau dissed me; I turned it into a friendship.
I bounce off energy. Released Bengali Sauce in June because my energy was high, it’s the holidays, there’re shows.
I planned, wanted Bengali Sauce to be the biggest song of 2019. Everything I’ve done, friendships were intentional. Had my first show the day Bengali Sauce released because of K Faith who invited me to perform at Canvas, Sauce Night. Knew Xavier from UNIK (who dressed me for my first show) from Secondary School. MC Sauce God gave me a platform on Rapture Night. Became friends with Unknown Radicals even before Bengali Sauce. Performed at IGNITE, my biggest show so far.
Not just Singaporeans. Malaysians, Bengali, Desi people. Friends from UK, America on Twitter, Instagram. Meme pages. Instagram challenges. Remix by DJ Lenerd.
I see Bengali rappers as “competition”. No one knows who they are in Singapore, they’re big overseas.
Was Bengali Sauce made for success?
Yes. I don’t have a label, people’s money invested in me. I spent hours on social media retweeting, replying comments, messages, showing love. That was during my midterms. Ranted in my producer’s house.
Was scared of it failing but kept my expectations high.
The first and end verses of “Bôngobondhu” (Sheikh Mujib) speeches sounded like a war cry, thanks to my sound engineer. I didn’t want to focus on my struggle. Was always known as that Bengali/“Bangla” kid. Have never lied about my ethnicity, know friends, family who do. Wanted to show we have culture, beautiful girls. I’m proud of my art.
“Rickshaws full of hoes”.
Zero negative reaction from girls. It’s fun.
Backlash.
“Your flow is whack”. For a first song, I’m proud of it.
“Clout-chaser, sell-out”. I need attention to build my image, for my music.
“One-hit wonder, your next song better be good/better ”. I don’t feel the pressure.
Shameless plugs.
Follow me on Instagram. Unknown Radicals this Saturday. Performing Legacy Festival, Sounds of Fai. Aliwal Festival, Urban Arts Festival next year. Working on a lot of music. Will drop something next year.
Sponsor me brands! I’m a great client to work with.
Are you a “Big D Bangla”?
Ask my girlfriend. People have come up to me in the toilet and asked to show them. *laughs*
