LIFESTYLE
Raja Kumari speaks about cultural appropriation and her transition from being a songwriter to a solo artiste
Raja Kumari, has managed to make a name for herself as a hip hop artiste in the US and is riding the popularity wave here in India, too. Her collaboration with rapper Divine, City Slums, broke the internet recently. Here, she talks about how cultural appropriation was a catalyst in her moving from writing songs for others to becoming a solo artiste and music career in India.
When Raja Kumari started rapping, people would call her the Indian princess.
“Instead of being called IP (short for Indian Princess) or something else, Raja Kumari was born. It worked for me as it represented my Indian classical roots,” she says. Since then, the rapper and hip hop artiste has been working tirelessly at popularising Indian culture in the West. “People were so awesome about me fusing Indian and Western sounds and cultures together. Contrary to what’s portrayed, Americans really celebrate diversity. Everyone was so fascinated with what we wear and our music, and wanted to know more about what we think and how we feel,” she says. Being a female hip hop artiste, Raja hopes to break stereotypes about how girls should act or behave.
At the same time, Raja has been vocal about cultural appropriation. In fact, seeing Iggy Azalea wearing a kiritam (tiara worn by goddesses) goaded her to graduate from being a songwriter to a solo hip hop artiste and educate people about the culture of India. “I have a problem when people would rather put on the Indian culture as just a costume than learn about it from an Indian person. If you can put an Indian on the stage then you can learn about the culture and that’s what I am doing,” she says. The tables haven’t turned on Raja yet and no one has accused her of cultural appropriation for singing hip hop. She reasons, “It’s not accurate that hip hop is just American music. I describe the genre all around the world as a seed that will grow on whatever soil it’s planted in. What I do is authentic and real and not to offend anyone’s culture.”
Raja sang a couple of lines in Hindi in City Slums. Though she has learnt to read and write the language, she is still learning to speak it. But, the artiste, who was raised in California, sees herself singing a complete song in Hindi. “As far as the message is getting across, the rhythms, melody, and lyrics are in place, I would be open to it. Why just Hindi, I wouldn’t mind singing in Telugu either,” she says, pointing out that she was excited to see hip hop in regional languages like Kannada.
The hip hop musician has transitioned from being a songwriter for Iggy Azalea, Gwen Stefani, Fallout Boy, Timbaland, etc. to a solo artiste. She sees that phase as going to music school. “I was learning about different ways to write songs. If my songs are successful it’s because of I learnt then. Like, writing for Gwen taught me how to be an artiste, sell millions of records and be an international hit,” she says. The singer has kept in touch with the international artistes she has collaborated with. “They are very supportive. They know this is my passion. For them, I’m the real deal and they are excited about what I am doing,” she says. Raja has more solo tracks and collaborations up her sleeves this year while she’s in the country. “I think India needs to hear some stuff from me by myself, though collaborations are definitely on the cards. I want to make music that goes from India to everywhere. It’s a great place where I see myself spending a lot of time,” she says.
Raja has been a philanthropist ever since she was seven. She raised $80,000 through her classical dance performances and donated them to various charitable causes. She says, “India has given me everything I have today as an artiste. One of the goals of my art is to give back to the country and not just have people enjoy the music.
Jeet Adani, Diva Shah are now married! Here's why their wedding was more than a mere celebration
IIT-BHU student gets highest package of Rs..., average package in 2025 is...
Music composer Anu Malik sells two Mumbai flats in Santacruz West for Rs..., co-owner is...
Jeet Adani and Diva Shah are now married; video of varmala ceremony goes viral, WATCH
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: Gautam Adani shares first pics of son's wedding, see here
Can Kejriwal win prestige battle? What are the key factors that dominated Delhi assembly polls 2025?
Subhash Ghai makes big investment, buys plush 4BHK apartment in Mumbai for...
Metovalex App Review 2025: Legit Or Scam Trading AI? - Real User Facts!
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato rebranded Eternal: Everyone has the same question
Thief gifts Rs 3cr house to girlfriend, everyone shocked after...
Who is Meghnad S? YouTuber and journalist who contested Delhi assembly polls 2025 from...
Does Sanya Malhotra's 'Mrs' promote a no-marriage culture among women?
BIG blow to Sundar Pichai as Google loses Rs 17501260000000 due to…
Caring for Ageing Parents? Essential tips to manage health, finances, and well-being
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: Inside pics from Gautam Adani's son's wedding festivity
Meet Gautam Adani’s daughter-in-law Paridhi Adani: Know about her assets, career, family, and more
Why has Premanand Maharaj stopped his morning yatras at 2 am?
Sonu Sood BREAKS SILENCE on arrest warrant against him in fraud case: 'It is sad that celebs...'
Akshata Murty once confronted her father and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy: 'My real dad is...'
Meet Alexis Wilkins, Trump's FBI chief pick Kash Patel's 'mystery girlfriend,' her profession is...
Fire breaks out at Mahakumbh Nagar camp, officials say no casualties reported so far
Who is Mohini Mohan Datta, mystery man set to get Rs 500 crore through Ratan Tata's will?
Cristiano Ronaldo makes shocking statement, breaks Portugal's hearts: 'I never thought about...'
Ludhiana court issues arrest warrant against Sonu Sood in fraud case
Happy Rose Day 2025: Significance of different coloured roses on Day 1 of Valentine's week
Salman Khan REVEALS why he avoids eating beef and pork: 'Main maanta hu meri maa...'
Shah Rukh Khan-Saif Ali Khan vs Aryan Khan-Ibrahim Khan: Who should be in KHNH2!
Why Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu gifted Donald Trump golden pager? It is a reference to...
Mob in Bangladesh destroys ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's family home
ISRO's EOS-06 satellite captures Phytoplankton concentration on global scale
IND vs ENG: Will Virat Kohli play in 2nd ODI vs England? Shubman Gill provides huge injury update
Who is Kiran Chaudhury? PCS officer caught in bribe case, just 4 years after posting
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah's wedding today: Know venue, gifts for guests and more
Meet woman, who works in Rs 163000 crore company, daughter of Hyderabad’s richest man
This is world's greenest railway station, 170 years old, home to over 7,000 plants, it's in....
As Sky Force nears Rs 150 crore, Nimrat Kaur treats househelp, her kids with movie screening
IND vs ENG: Shreyas Iyer creates history, becomes first player to achieve THIS massive milestone
Meet man, India's richest banker, who has bought Rs 202 crore property, his net worth is Rs...
'Heard there was....': Former India head coach provides major update on Virat Kohli's injury
A New Geopolitical Era: India and Israel's Role in the Evolving Middle East
David Warner’s touching moment with fans after Dubai Capitals reaches final of DP World ILT20
India’s Largest Book Stall Network: PrashantAdvait Foundation’s Mission to Revive Reading Culture
Mawra Hocane stuns in pastel mint green lehenga at her wedding to Ameer Gilani
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato changes its name, CEO shares journey of company, it is now called...
Rose Day 2025: Know the date, history, significance of each rose colour ahead of Valentine's day