At 100 RBH’s house, no one could have thought of pursuing a career in music.
Raised in a traditional Indian family, the rapper was instructed by his father to find a ‘respectable’ job where he could earn a daily wage. But 24-year-old Saurabh Abhyankar had other ideas.
For most musicians, dreams of global success seem far-fetched. In Amravati, the rural hometown of 100RBH in the western state of Maharashtra, few people even knew what hip-hop was.
“People didn’t know about the work,” he told The Independent over the phone in his native Bambiya accent (the Hindi of Mumbai).
They had to make a lot of efforts to convince only local people to come to their shows. Then in time, ‘since the money started coming in, others [والدین] Telling my mother that she also wants her son to get into music.’
100 RBH is a street, a form of Indian street rapper who mixes and matches traditional folk sounds with modern instrumentation.
Originating in Mumbai, Gali, a Hindi term for a narrow street, has since spread across India, inspired by big hip-hop names like famous American rap artist Notorious BIG and Tupac.
These songs address issues such as politics, social reform and lifestyle, as opposed to superficial themes such as alcohol and women that are central to Bollywood music.
Before releasing his first solo track, 100RBH was a ‘proud’ member of Swadesi, India’s first multilingual hip-hop group, whose slogan is ‘music with a purpose’.
In their only rap song ‘Khabdar’, the controversial group addresses the ‘slaves of society’ and corrupt leaders who forget their responsibilities: ‘They don’t do anything for themselves, they don’t let anybody do it.’
He says his time in Swadeshi was one of the most ‘dangerous’ he’s ever done because of the band’s bold views on government reform and right-wing politics.
He said: ‘When I first heard Swadeshi’s music, I was very impressed. He was talking about the same issues I was concerned about. In fact, they were the only people who had the courage to speak about local issues in the country.’
For his solo work, he is heavily influenced by Mumbai-born rapper Devine, who is considered one of India’s most successful Gully rappers and inspired the Bollywood hit Gully Boy. .
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100 RBH explains: ‘Just like me, Devine came from the streets of Bombay, I thought if someone like him can do something big in life, then I can too.’
Like Devine, he plays with catchphrases and melodies. In his hit song ‘Zanjeer’ in 2022, which has a very deep rhythm, he offers a continuation of socio-political criticism and humor in both Hindi and Marathi: ‘I break the chains of the old days, Lakh Masoomon. I speak alone.’
Soon after the release of the track, 100RBH dedicated it to the late Indian social reformer Baba Sahib Ambedkar.
He has now signed with his idol Divine’s label, Glee Gang Entertainment.
100RBH hopes to one day be invited to perform at international music festivals such as Rolling Loud and Lollapalooza. Maybe even Glastonbury.
He said: ‘My dream is to perform in front of a million people.’
Until then, he’ll continue to make music and ‘raise his voice against politicians who don’t take their jobs seriously.’
They want to draw attention to issues like the recent floods in Maharashtra, caste discrimination and other human rights violations in India.
As for his family, especially his father. They now proudly tell the world who their son is and what he does. For 100 RBH, that in itself is a big win.
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2024-10-01 16:41:44
