This is the uncommon and distinctive story of Lazer X (aka Piyush Trehan), a rapper-producer based mostly within the obscure city of Phagwara, Punjab. Gathering his ideas and reflecting on the character of his journey from his bed room manufacturing set-up to Hollywood, he says “I want to drop an album in the future titled Mohalle se Mahalon Tak…I’ve left the mohalla for now, but I haven’t reached the mahal just yet.” For Lazer X, music has at all times been concerning the journey itself; and whereas a track placement sync deal in Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man is a monumental achievement, the rapper has his eyes set on a greater commonplace for his work.
Monkey Man, produced by American horror auteur Jordan Peele, stars Dev Patel because the vengeful protagonist harking back to the character and chaos of John Wick. Set towards the backdrop of an exploitative Indian metropolis, the outlaw finds himself navigating the truth of oppression, violence and trauma with the reassurance of his late mom’s tales rooted in Hindu mythology. The movie is a fast-paced thriller that retains the viewers on edge, typically so by making wonderful use of hip-hop music throughout montages.
From JID’s “Rum 151” to Jay-Z and Panjabi MC’s “Mundiyan To Bach Ke,” the movie boasts a roster of rap music that makes intelligent use of Indian instrumentation as its basis. In the star-studded firm of those recognized and revered classics, comes the abrasive and unapologetic “Naam Mera” — with Lazer X’s gritty vocals imploring the viewers to go round and ‘ask for his name.’
Perhaps this segue is just becoming right here, for in any case, who’s Lazer X? How was he capable of finding a spot on the official soundtrack? The reply, curiously, goes all the way in which again to an Instagram Live session hosted by singer-composer Nakash Aziz and composer-producer Sneha Khanwalkar — with the latter being chargeable for producing the film model of the observe.
According to Lazer X, the story unfolds with him discovering out about Khanwalkar’s firm SoundCake, which was internet hosting a music remix problem for musicians throughout India. In conserving with the necessities of the problem, Lazer X was in a position to resample some Nakash Aziz vocals over a freshly produced instrumental that he passionately spammed their emails with. To Lazer X’s shock, Aziz performed and appreciated the observe on his livestream, catching Khanwalkar’s consideration as effectively, who entered the body with a praise and a suggestion to work on future tasks.
Lazer X adopted up on the chance and was in a position to begin bagging industrial tasks with the likes of entertainer Bhuvan Bam, and Punjabi star Guru Randhawa (“Darr Nu Daraa”). Over the course of many tasks and discovering synergy of labor with Khanwalkar, the rapper started sending demos that he believed may match a cinematic piece effectively. Out of those was a draft titled “Simpson,” the place Lazer X rapped about his anti-social tendencies and his incapacity to work together socially, whereas proudly reclaiming “work that speaks for itself.” Originally recorded over experimental drum and bass beats, the concept shortly advanced into the hook, “Jaake pooch le tu naam mera, bolta mai kam hi, zyada bolta hai kaam mera,” talking to the anonymity of those that work relentlessly, tirelessly and with out fame.
The hook caught; with Khanwalkar overseeing inventive route and manufacturing for the ultimate observe, and Jayant Patnaik on rhythm sections with the dhol, the observe shortly advanced into a relatable track, soundtracking the story of an underdog. Soon sufficient, the observe was picked up as a part of a sync-licensing deal that concerned Lazer X promoting the rights to his lyrics and vocals for movie utilization, and the remainder is historical past. “Mahal ban jayega iss saal, (The palace will be made this year)” he says, referring to how he believes the promised palatial abode of success to be proper across the nook this yr. With extra movie tasks with prime stars underneath wraps for the upcoming months, Lazer X is effectively on his technique to making the leap of a lifetime — from a mohalla, to the legendary mahal.
