Its been a month since Initiation, Feyago's debut album came out and it has gained some major buzz. The debut single "Someday" now airs on VH1 India everyday and has been featured in MTV Roots.
Feyago's music is filled with thought provoking lyrics and every song has a story, and he has definitely set the benchmark for any other upcoming talent. He's best known for his extensive touring around India, Nepal and Bhutan and collaborating with artists from these places. To know more read our Q&A below:
For those who haven't heard of you yet, could you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your music.
Feyago is an identity I have embraced for over three years now. The aim is to embrace my Indian roots and take it all the way to mainstream Hip Hop on an international level. I am a producer-performer-cinematographer and I’ve performed over 95 times across four countries, won several awards, been on MTV Roots and ITunes worldwide via Hungama Digital. I have recently released my debut mixtape, Initiation, which is available for download on soundcloud.com/feyago
Who inspired you to start rapping?
It was a combination of people. One of my closest friends from Zimbabwe/UK (also my producer) Kosh had a significant role in supporting me right from the start. Then there was my parents, who believed in me for as long as I can remember. A few other friends supported my dreams.
What inspired, or rather influenced you when you were writing your debut mixtape? Also, after the release, were you satisfied with the feedback that you received from your fans all around the world?
I worked on this mixtape for a year. Every significant moment in and around that year, whether it was ecstatic or hurtful, personal or professional - influenced me in some way or the other. I always believe that the best work comes out of life experience. If you don’t live enough, you won’t have anything to talk about. Also, hardships inspire me more than satisfaction.
The response to the mixtape has been phenomenal so far. Everyday, I wake up to very supportive inbox messages. Feels great. An online portal called me “the most promising upcoming Hip Hop performer in India”. However, satisfaction has a long way to go. I’m still waiting on plenty of feedback.
Stream the full album here.
What made you come back to the motherland?
The reasons for moving back to India were very personal. I had quit my degree a long time ago, and was looking forward to a career in Hip Hop in the UK. However, family matters compelled me to leave everything I had established and start from scratch in India. Turns out, everything happens for a reason.
Tell us about the environment of live shows in UK compared to the ones in India, Bhutan and Nepal.
In the UK, competition is stiff and Hip Hop has evolved to a great extent. In this part of the world, I can be more of a niche. The audience is more supportive as they haven’t seen acts like mine. However, they are new to the genre. It will take a while to get the kind of appreciation hip hop gets in the UK. Having said that, the crowd here can get really crazy. Shows are adrenaline-pumped. It feels great performing in this part of the world.
Since "Socha Hai" is one of your hit songs, do you plan to do more bollywood covers in the future?
I would love to do a few more Bollywood interpretations. There is a retro Bollywood tribute mixtape in the pipeline but it’s super confidential right now. I have also worked on a Hindi adfilm with a great message. This song, Marzi, went on air today and the video will be out soon.
Your biography says you're a cinematographer too, and you've also won the Best Music Video Award - Whistling Woods International. Where do you draw influences from for your music videos?
I have many favourites when it comes to directors. There are the greats, Wong Kar Wai, Bergman, Truffaut, Chaplin, Orson Welles and others who’ve inspired me to tell stories through a lens. However, the main inspiration for every video comes from the song itself. When I make the song, I already have the video sketched out in my mind. After that it’s just about acquiring the budget, working out technicalities and finding the right faces.
What messages do you want to convey through your music?
I am a storyteller. I don’t want to preach, simply want to fabricate pieces of fiction which can be shared in order to communicate stories which are close to the heart. Life is very long, but eventually we all cease to exist. The only thing that remains is what we’ve contributed to the planet. I want to contribute a combination of stories and personal experiences.
Anything else you'd like to add for the readers?
I started out with a pocketful of ambition – no bank account, no contacts and no platform. My genre was not popular in the country. My family was going through everyday struggle. It’s been a year and I can now call myself a storytelling brand that is recognized and appreciated in many cities around the world. All I would like to say is that the only thing that matters is what you do. The only reason you wake up every day should be because you want to do something you’re crazy about. Life is too short for compromise. Follow your dreams, and if possible, lead them.
Feyago on
Interview by: Rajul Pradhan & Aloran Sattar
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