Kya Bolta Bantai: The Playlist

In the process of shooting Kya Bolta Bantai, VICE came across plenty of good, bad and interesting music from across the country. We spoke to a few rappers and MCs about the role music plays in their lives, what influenced them and what they dug locally and internationally.

Ai Shapath Saheb, Me Navto by Dopeadelicz (Stony Psyko)

When I ask Dharmaesh bhai, for a recco, he doesn’t hesitate.

Parmar says, “This song is a conversation between a cop and a kid caught smoking pot, and is essentially the story of every one of us.” Gotta agree.

Dance With the Devil - Immortal Technique

Tod Fod ruminates a bit before explaining, “So… it's always like there are bad things which happen and we have to control it (sic) before it turns worse. It’s the devil inside us who likes that kind of stuff, and which is killing us slowly. So, when the devil wants such things to happen, we just have to be conscious enough, be aware of what's right, and what's wrong and have your control over it, of doing the best.”

At first, Raveendran is hesitant, but eventually opens up. Spot on, dude.

Class-Sikh Maut Vol. 2 - Seedhe Maut x Prabh Deep x Sez

“I really gotta hand it to the team that made this - they've literally hit the ball out of the park with this one. All of them, including Sez's crazy idea for a beat. My favourite lines on this is by Calm, Mujhe chain nahi milega jab tak inn saalon ka dhanda naa kar du mai thapp!’ (I won’t know peace till I fuck up their shit)." “Really breaking the monotony, everyone ought to learn to be as good or better in the scene.”

Harder Than You Think - Public Enemy

“Chuck D keeps the talk real when he calls out on the bullshit of commercially viable 'gangsta' rap on this track. You can’t NOT love the main sample on this track, leading to the outro Flava does with the shoutouts to every major city in America. Just. Like. Dat!”

If you’ve heard Ace, you know he’s a man of many words. And that reflects in his choices too. Of course our man take the opportunity to give himself a shoutout and I can’t fault that.

Shattered Dreams - Ace aka Mumbai Ft. R.A.H.

His international tracks of choice were 2Pac’s vast catalogue - so I said I’d list the first one, and name the others. Cool? Cool, cool, cool.

Hail Mary - 2Pac

Honorable mentions: Ghetto Gospel, Staring At The World Through My Rearview, Dumping and Troublesome 96.

While filming Kya Bolta Bantai, I became a huge fan of Yoku BIG. Not only is he’s a legit MC, but his swag is undeniable. Hard to miss the impact Biggie has had on him, but Yoku is only 19 and I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.

Madi Thiranthu - Yogi B ft. Natchatra

"Madi Thiranthu was the first rap song I ever heard and it is lit.” Real talk.

Suicidal Thoughts - Notorious B.I.G.

“I relate to this song, and my life experiences,” Mic drop.

It would be impossible not to end this list without hitting up Kappal, not just because of the context he provided for the documentary but also the sheer number of bylines he's piled up writing about this movement.

Aafat - Naezy

“There have been tracks that are better in terms of sound, production and flow, but nothing quite captures the raw, boisterous energy of Mumbaiya rap as Naezy's debut single.” Lose Yourself - Eminem

“I'm not the biggest Eminem stan, but the cultural impact of this song - and more generally, the Marshall Mathers era - is almost impossible to overstate. For a certain generation of Indian rappers and rap fans, hearing Eminem on MTV or on a party playlist is where it all started.”

We outta here.