E-Kantipur

MAR 30 - Nirnaya Shrestha, more famously known as Nirnaya da NSK (Naughty Soul Kid), has the distinction of being one of the first hip hop musicians in Nepal. His love for hip hop first started when he was in the fourth standard in the U.S. in the 1980’s, when rap was still being given its current form. “Rap and hip hop were just starting to become commercialised,” says Shrestha. “Back then, I was in the U.S., and used to rap a bit with some friends as well.”

The young Shrestha, though, didn’t grow up with any aspirations to be a rapper. “I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer,” he says. Despite this, his parents were fully supportive of his decision--once they found out, that is. “They didn’t know I was recording an album (Fo’Ya’ All), but once it was released, they were very supportive,” he says. “As long as I didn’t stray from my studies,” he adds.

Despite the gradual increase in Nepali rap listeners in Nepal, the genre still remains an ostracized genre, whether it is because of the (sometimes) expletive lyrics, or the clothing. Shrestha explains this discomfort Nepali music listeners face in terms of the huge range the genre encompasses. “Hip hop is not just music; it’s a culture. Even the clothes we wear are part of what defines us.”

 Shrestha is also quick to point out that his music is patriotic. “The political situation of Nepal is the biggest reason why music (particularly hip hop) is developing so slowly. This and piracy, which is rampant in Nepal,” he says. Nevertheless, Shrestha believes that music can change Nepal for the better. One of the first songs he produced, Bring the House Down, was about the political situation in Nepal, and remains one of his most popular songs. Though his debut album, and its follow up were English albums, his third album was in Nepali. “I wanted to appeal to everybody in Nepal, including those at the grass roots,” he says. “There is not enough patriotism in Nepal today, and for this to increase, everybody needs to listen to and understand my music.”

For the singer, whose new album will be released within the next two months, hip hop is all about the ‘moment’. Whether he is performing live, or recording in the studio, Shrestha claims that he has to get “that feeling” to generate the best he can.

There is also the bit about Shrestha’s social responsibility. He is currently on an educational tour, where within the next three months, he will visit schools in 15 different towns across Nepal. He will collect old books, stationary, and other educational material, and in turn, donate them to various schools in rural areas that face a crunch of funds. The tour has been going on regularly since 2006, and another tour is also scheduled for the end of the year.

And, despite however depressing things in Nepal may be, he believes that music and hip hop have a bright future. “New artistes still have a hard time, but it’s not as hard as it was 10 years ago (when he started recording),” he says. “Just remember to be true to yourself, your environment, and where you are from. That is the best advice I can give.”

Posted on: 2010-03-30 09:17

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