By Team
‘The Outsiders’
20th July 2024
By Team
‘The Outsiders’
20th July 2024
From the pink city of Jaipur emerges a unique voice in Indian hip-hop, DEADPAN, born Rahul Gour. His musical journey began in the most playful of settings, where music was more a game than a craft. As a child, Rahul delighted in singing popular Bollywood songs, imitating playback singers, and exploring melodies on a modest ₹500 electronic keyboard and mic combo. This playful experimentation laid the foundation for a deep understanding of music, as he instinctively learned keys, scales, and sur. "It was all the happiness," he recalls, "it was my flex. That's how the journey began."
At 19, while navigating the rigors of an MBBS course, Rahul’s passion for music took a more serious turn. A senior’s harsh criticism ignited a creative spark, leading to the creation of his first song, "No Shame." Collaborating with a fellow student who shared his disdain for the senior, they produced the track using FL Studio, and thus, DEADPAN was born. This early experience highlighted the cathartic power of music and set Rahul on a path to express his authentic self through his art.
DEADPAN's ambition is as vast as the Rajasthan desert from which he hails. He dreams of becoming the greatest artist to emerge from his culture, determined to tell the untold stories of his homeland. The folk music of Rajasthan, often reduced to a few well-known songs like "Kesariya Balam," has a wealth of narratives and sounds yet to be shared with the world. "I want to make my homeland's stories heard," he asserts, "My motherland Rajasthan has thousands of stories yet to be told and sounds yet to be played to the world. I will do that."
His music is a conduit for deeper messages of healing and self-acceptance. "Being proud in just being. Healing. You or I don't have to be perfect or extraordinary or successful to be loved and accepted," he says. DEADPAN's songs celebrate imperfections and encourage listeners to embrace their true selves, rejecting societal pressures to conform or highlight only their flaws.
From the pink city of Jaipur emerges a unique voice in Indian hip-hop, DEADPAN, born Rahul Gour. His musical journey began in the most playful of settings, where music was more a game than a craft. As a child, Rahul delighted in singing popular Bollywood songs, imitating playback singers, and exploring melodies on a modest ₹500 electronic keyboard and mic combo. This playful experimentation laid the foundation for a deep understanding of music, as he instinctively learned keys, scales, and sur. "It was all the happiness," he recalls, "it was my flex. That's how the journey began."
At 19, while navigating the rigors of an MBBS course, Rahul’s passion for music took a more serious turn. A senior’s harsh criticism ignited a creative spark, leading to the creation of his first song, "No Shame." Collaborating with a fellow student who shared his disdain for the senior, they produced the track using FL Studio, and thus, DEADPAN was born. This early experience highlighted the cathartic power of music and set Rahul on a path to express his authentic self through his art.
DEADPAN's ambition is as vast as the Rajasthan desert from which he hails. He dreams of becoming the greatest artist to emerge from his culture, determined to tell the untold stories of his homeland. The folk music of Rajasthan, often reduced to a few well-known songs like "Kesariya Balam," has a wealth of narratives and sounds yet to be shared with the world. "I want to make my homeland's stories heard," he asserts, "My motherland Rajasthan has thousands of stories yet to be told and sounds yet to be played to the world. I will do that."
His music is a conduit for deeper messages of healing and self-acceptance. "Being proud in just being. Healing. You or I don't have to be perfect or extraordinary or successful to be loved and accepted," he says. DEADPAN's songs celebrate imperfections and encourage listeners to embrace their true selves, rejecting societal pressures to conform or highlight only their flaws.
In his creative process, DEADPAN is fluid and adaptive, refusing to be confined by genre labels. "Sometimes I produce first, sometimes I write first, and nowadays I am able to do both simultaneously," he explains. For inspiration, he steps outside the studio, immersing himself in the real world where people live disconnected from the arts. This grounding in reality fuels his creativity, enabling him to craft music that resonates with authenticity and depth.
DEADPAN’s music is more than just beats and rhymes; it is a call to rise above various forms of poverty – financial, mental, and social. "When I say poverty, it's not just someone's financially poor. The mental and social poverty has been taking a toll on my country's people since ages," he articulates. His mission is to liberate himself and his listeners from the shackles of historical trauma and ongoing struggles, drawing parallels with the core values of hip-hop legends like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar.
Collaborating with local artists from the burgeoning Pink City hip-hop scene and beyond, DEADPAN has a slew of projects lined up. Among them is an EP titled "PAN The BusinessMAN," showcasing his penmanship and the business acumen he possesses as a Marwari. His diverse projects cater to a wide range of tastes and audiences, each reflecting his multifaceted approach to music.
DEADPAN’s journey from a self-taught artist to a mature songwriter and producer is a testament to his relentless pursuit of growth. "When I started, there was no orientation or understanding of 'How to make a song which has an attractive sound, meaningful lyrics with flows and a clear message,'' he reflects. Over time, through interactions with skilled artists, he has evolved, continually discovering new elements and genres that enrich his music.
Key lessons in DEADPAN's journey include the importance of practice and confronting self-doubt. Despite his satisfaction with his lyric writing and production abilities, he acknowledges the need for improvement in his vocal skills. "In the country where Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal are still making music, I'm a long way behind. I will practice and come somewhere near them one day," he admits. His aspirations extend to challenging iconic lyricists like Gulzar and Javed Akhtar, albeit recognizing the need to avoid such comparisons and focus on his craft.
In his creative process, DEADPAN is fluid and adaptive, refusing to be confined by genre labels. "Sometimes I produce first, sometimes I write first, and nowadays I am able to do both simultaneously," he explains. For inspiration, he steps outside the studio, immersing himself in the real world where people live disconnected from the arts. This grounding in reality fuels his creativity, enabling him to craft music that resonates with authenticity and depth.
DEADPAN’s music is more than just beats and rhymes; it is a call to rise above various forms of poverty – financial, mental, and social. "When I say poverty, it's not just someone's financially poor. The mental and social poverty has been taking a toll on my country's people since ages," he articulates. His mission is to liberate himself and his listeners from the shackles of historical trauma and ongoing struggles, drawing parallels with the core values of hip-hop legends like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar.
Collaborating with local artists from the burgeoning Pink City hip-hop scene and beyond, DEADPAN has a slew of projects lined up. Among them is an EP titled "PAN The BusinessMAN," showcasing his penmanship and the business acumen he possesses as a Marwari. His diverse projects cater to a wide range of tastes and audiences, each reflecting his multifaceted approach to music.
DEADPAN’s journey from a self-taught artist to a mature songwriter and producer is a testament to his relentless pursuit of growth. "When I started, there was no orientation or understanding of 'How to make a song which has an attractive sound, meaningful lyrics with flows and a clear message,'' he reflects. Over time, through interactions with skilled artists, he has evolved, continually discovering new elements and genres that enrich his music.
Key lessons in DEADPAN's journey include the importance of practice and confronting self-doubt. Despite his satisfaction with his lyric writing and production abilities, he acknowledges the need for improvement in his vocal skills. "In the country where Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal are still making music, I'm a long way behind. I will practice and come somewhere near them one day," he admits. His aspirations extend to challenging iconic lyricists like Gulzar and Javed Akhtar, albeit recognizing the need to avoid such comparisons and focus on his craft.
Among his recent works, "MIRZAPUR," released on July 4, 2024, stands out as his favorite. The track, born from his experiences in India's rural and urban landscapes, captures the chaos and resilience of navigating tough environments. It offers a satirical commentary on the systemic failures and corrupt leadership that plague the country. "With a sound rooted in desi life, it resonates with people from every walk of life – be it a farmer or an IIT Delhi student," DEADPAN notes.
Looking ahead, DEADPAN is set to release his upcoming track "Article 19 (1)" on August 15, 2024, continuing his mission to use music as a tool for liberation and storytelling. His journey from playful beginnings to a powerful voice in Indian hip-hop exemplifies the transformative power of music, reflecting both his personal growth and his unwavering commitment to his culture and audience.
In DEADPAN’s own words, "My music does not shun you or make you feel small; it makes you accept the imperfections and enjoy them." His journey is a testament to the healing power of authenticity and the boundless potential of a determined artist from Jaipur.
Among his recent works, "MIRZAPUR," released on July 4, 2024, stands out as his favorite. The track, born from his experiences in India's rural and urban landscapes, captures the chaos and resilience of navigating tough environments. It offers a satirical commentary on the systemic failures and corrupt leadership that plague the country. "With a sound rooted in desi life, it resonates with people from every walk of life – be it a farmer or an IIT Delhi student," DEADPAN notes.
Looking ahead, DEADPAN is set to release his upcoming track "Article 19 (1)" on August 15, 2024, continuing his mission to use music as a tool for liberation and storytelling. His journey from playful beginnings to a powerful voice in Indian hip-hop exemplifies the transformative power of music, reflecting both his personal growth and his unwavering commitment to his culture and audience.
In DEADPAN’s own words, "My music does not shun you or make you feel small; it makes you accept the imperfections and enjoy them." His journey is a testament to the healing power of authenticity and the boundless potential of a determined artist from Jaipur.
