Arinesh Kumar is not exactly new to the local rap scene, having spent eight years honing his craft. Now, the Lovu resident of Lautoka hopes to work with upcoming artists.
Fiji’s pool of local rap artists comprises Mr Grin (Dave Lavaki), Sammy G, Red child, thug angel, J Deuce, X9 homies, BSB and Josese Rokotakala.
Fijian Australian rapper Jesswar (Jessica Koroi) has also stamped her mark in the Australian music scene.
Most music addicts like me are drawn to more new age rap artists but when listening to local rap artists, one common message noted in their lyrics is genuine appreciation for their roots and inspirational messages to youths.
The rise of groups such as VT1S truly depicts the true essence of homegrown talent intertwined in each musical arrangement down to the instruments used to really set the tone which is appreciated by true music connoisseurs, but the same cannot be said for small scale local rap artists.
The 29-year-old freestyle rapper, who goes by the name Iyo Fiji Born, says the vast majority of small-scale local rap artists remain undiscovered because they fear public ridicule or judgement.
His influences include the likes of Eminem and the underground rap group Young Stunners.
“He was the first person that I felt had something to say to the world,” Kumar says.
Locally, he draws inspiration from Mr Grin, Red Child, JuBen and Sons of Fiji.
“The last one I dropped was about Fiji, that song is Yiji Kaha, Fiji Yaha.”
“I talk about what I’ve learned, what I have seen. I try to blend that into music. The other song is Laws of Life.”
Kumar says it’s rare for iTaukei rappers to collaborate with their Indian counterparts.
“It is not that they do not want to, but they have their diverse ways of doing things.
“In hip-hop, there are a lot of mainstream and there’s underground rap, there are many genres in there, so, I cater to all.
“I do hip-hop for the clubs, for kids, for children and youngsters and those people who talk about society and talk about things that are related to the real world.”
Kumar’s style is a fusion of English, Hindi and iTaukei.
“At the moment, I am trying to learn a few more Fijian words. There are a few songs that I have unreleased and there are local collabs as well.
“I am trying to contact Ju. I follow him. He is a particularly good artist.”
Kumar says the lack of a proper platform for the promotion of artistes, coupled with a lack of resources, plays a key role in upcoming artistes scraping by with what little musical talent they do have.
“There is no platform.
“If you see other countries, they have auditions, they have music shows and all. Before there was the Mic Show in Fiji, but none were hip-hop focussed.
“If they have rap battles, that is going to really boost the hip-hop culture here.”
Kumar says he’s seen and heard many artistes, but they do not want to display their talent because people here will judge them first before they even listen to them.
In the meantime, while many perceive music to be a channel for escapism, Kumar says it’s a source of inspiration for him.
“Music is my reality. It has always been a way I can talk about anything in my life; it might be a relationship, money, or my work, anything.
“No matter if I was doing music or not, it always pulls me out of depression. At a stage when I was alone, I had nobody. It was music that spoke to me.”
Kumar’s future plans include assisting upcoming artists.
“Hip-hop is made up of these elements — DJing, breakdancing, MCing, graffiti is all part of hip-hop culture.
“Fiji is not so behind that we cannot do that. There are so many artists coming up, but they do not know where to go, how to do it.”
Despite having little support at the start of his career, Kumar says his love for freestyle rapping has had a ripple effect within his family.
“Everybody has started to get involved in music.
“Some people have started to write their own songs; they want to talk about themselves through music.
“My one and only advice is to never give up.”
He believes there is nothing that one cannot do — it might take long, but it is possible.
If you have faith, and if you believe in the one above, nothing is impossible.
Local freestyle rapper Arinesh Kumar. Picture:MALEVIS KUMAR
Local freestyle rapper Arinesh Kumar. Picture: MALEVIS KUMAR
Local freestyle rapper Arinesh Kumar. Picture:MALEVIS KUMAR
