Bangla hip hop is an emerging genre of Bangladeshi music. At present, online social networks such as Facebook and Myspace are playing an important role in bringing different underground Bangladeshi rappers together in sharing their music. Perhaps the genre is gaining rapid popularity because of its familiarity with the current street lingo which is popular among the trend savvy youngsters nowadays.
To know about the current scenario of hip hop, Dhaka Tribune caught up with the crew Uptown Lokolz who made quite an impression with their popular number “Ai Mama Ai” from their first album. They also have music videos which on the first glance show the heavy influence of American Hip Hop as the youngsters are seen in sporting clothes and accessories like that of Jay-Z, King Los and others. The crew features Asiful Islam Sohan and Asif Ifteza better known as Black Zang and Bigg Spade, streetwise rappers who connect with the crowd through their stylish rendition of rap in colloquial urban Bangla.
Uptown Lokolz recently released their second album “VIP-Vol 1” after five years. About the album, Bigg Spade said: “We have released six songs, the title song ‘Uptown’ has created a hype and we are hopeful that it will be as popular as ‘Ai Mama Ai.’ The title of the album VIP actually stands for ‘Vari Izzoti Polapan.’ In our country, VIP usually means important or rich people of the society, through our album we have given our own definition of VIP to the listeners.”
About Bangla rap, Black Zang said: “We have incorporated the essence of original African American rap to our own style. We know the history and we know how to make it work. We cannot set ourselves apart from our culture or pretend to be what we are not. We need to connect with our audience in order to be accepted as one of them.”
Although the genre is yet to meet popularity, the hip hop musicians are hopeful as music has become global. With much confidence Uptown Lokolz states that things have changed and it will change more. Bangladeshi immigrants abroad have invited Uptown Lokolz to collaborate with foreign musicians to set up a multicultural relationship, said Black Zang.
About the dying audio industry and the position of hip hop, the crew said: “We are trying to promote our songs in TV commercials, Telecom advertisements and in dramas with urban themes. Our tracks are usually interesting as it addresses situations and social issues.”
About using slang in their lyrics, Black Zang said: “We do not believe in using slang in our songs in order to maintain the essence of hip hop. A child should not be exposed to slang through songs and yes, once we did use slang, but stopped due to the lack of acceptance.”
Uptown Lokolz is influenced by the lifestyle of Dr Dre, an American record producer, rapper and entrepreneur. The theme of the crew is dominated by passion and commitment. Coming from a middle class family, Black Zang saw the reality of life, therefore there is sadness in his words.
On the other hand, Bigg Spade said: “Before, there was aggression in my style but as time went by, I started focusing on expressing deeper thoughts.”
