By Spandan Fulkar
20th June 2024
By Spandan Fulkar
20th June 2024
Rahul Khadtare, better known by his stage name "Kidshot," released a track called 'Mere Liye' almost 4-5 years ago. The lyrics, the flow, and especially the wordplay left me absolutely floored. It was the first time I encountered an Indian artist with such intricate wordplay and rhyme schemes, unmatched by any rapper then or even now. I mean, wishing for a penthouse and expecting Kim Jong to do you a facial, and saying all this in a track is insane. Kidshot isn't just another rapper; he's a lyrical genius who weaves tales of aspiration and reality with unmatched finesse. And who could forget that freestyle session at FeverFM studio? It took the internet by storm, showcasing his lyrical prowess and solidifying his place as a force to be reckoned with in the rap game.
If you're part of the crazy 'Kidshot' cult fan base, you'll understand why we called this cover story 'UNDERDAWG.' If you don’t get it, go watch his latest drop 'Mainland' and jump to the 1:11 mark – you'll get it. Team 'The Outsiders' had the chance to have an exclusive conversation with this 'lyrical mafia ', Kidshot, about his latest drop 'Mainland' – which I would also love to call 'Mafialand' – and his music journey in general.
The Genesis of a Musical Journey
Kidshot's introduction to music was anything but conventional. It all started when a friend showed him a stolen phone. While exploring the device, he stumbled upon a music library filled with tracks by hip-hop legends such as 50 Cent, Nas, and Lil Wayne. Intrigued by the stories these artists were telling, he ventured to a cyber café to watch their music videos. This exploration opened his eyes to the fact that these artists were narrating their lifestyles through their lyrics. This revelation inspired him to begin expressing his own experiences through music.
Reflecting on the First Creation
Recalling his first foray into songwriting, Kidshot shares a humorous yet poignant memory. "The first song I ever wrote was about heartbreak, which I hadn’t even experienced at that age. I was 13 or so at the time. It was whack af, but you know… That’s how it started," he admits with a laugh. Despite its shortcomings, this initial attempt marked the beginning of a journey that would see him evolve into a significant figure in the rap scene.
Rahul Khadtare, better known by his stage name "Kidshot," released a track called 'Mere Liye' almost 4-5 years ago. The lyrics, the flow, and especially the wordplay left me absolutely floored. It was the first time I encountered an Indian artist with such intricate wordplay and rhyme schemes, unmatched by any rapper then or even now. I mean, wishing for a penthouse and expecting Kim Jong to do you a facial, and saying all this in a track is insane. Kidshot isn't just another rapper; he's a lyrical genius who weaves tales of aspiration and reality with unmatched finesse. And who could forget that freestyle session at FeverFM studio? It took the internet by storm, showcasing his lyrical prowess and solidifying his place as a force to be reckoned with in the rap game.
If you're part of the crazy 'Kidshot' cult fan base, you'll understand why we called this cover story 'UNDERDAWG.' If you don’t get it, go watch his latest drop 'Mainland' and jump to the 1:11 mark – you'll get it. Team 'The Outsiders' had the chance to have an exclusive conversation with this 'lyrical mafia ', Kidshot, about his latest drop 'Mainland' – which I would also love to call 'Mafialand' – and his music journey in general.
The Genesis of a Musical Journey
Kidshot's introduction to music was anything but conventional. It all started when a friend showed him a stolen phone. While exploring the device, he stumbled upon a music library filled with tracks by hip-hop legends such as 50 Cent, Nas, and Lil Wayne. Intrigued by the stories these artists were telling, he ventured to a cyber café to watch their music videos. This exploration opened his eyes to the fact that these artists were narrating their lifestyles through their lyrics. This revelation inspired him to begin expressing his own experiences through music.
Reflecting on the First Creation
Recalling his first foray into songwriting, Kidshot shares a humorous yet poignant memory. "The first song I ever wrote was about heartbreak, which I hadn’t even experienced at that age. I was 13 or so at the time. It was whack af, but you know… That’s how it started," he admits with a laugh. Despite its shortcomings, this initial attempt marked the beginning of a journey that would see him evolve into a significant figure in the rap scene.
Crafting a Unique Sound
Over the years, Kidshot's music has been described as unique and ahead of its time. He attributes this to his unwavering commitment to lyrical rap, a genre he embraced when there were only a handful of rappers in the scene. "Yes, people have been calling my music ahead of its time, and maybe after 10 years, everyone will understand what I was doing. But I want people to recognize me now for what I’m doing. This lyrical rap thing, I can proudly say that I have been doing this since there were maybe only 7-8 rappers in the scene. DIVINE and Naezy were one of those," he explains.
Diving into ‘Mainland’
His latest track, ‘Mainland,’ showcases his versatility as an artist. He wanted to demonstrate that even a hardcore rapper could explore different sounds, including the use of autotune. "With ‘Mainland,’ I wanted to show different sounds I can dive into. People don’t expect that from me, using autotune and stuff, but I like to experiment with my sound," he reveals. This willingness to experiment and push boundaries is a hallmark of his creative process.
Themes and Inspirations
The themes of ‘Mainland,’ like much of Kidshot's music, are drawn from personal experiences and the lives of those around him. "All my songs come through personal experiences or someone in my circle that has experienced it, so it’s a lifestyle thing which I talk about in my lyrics. The hustle we went through growing up cannot be explained in a single song. It’s just a part of it," he says. His creative process is spontaneous, often driven by inspiration and ideas that come from interactions with people.
Audience Reception
The response to ‘Mainland’ has been overwhelmingly positive. Kidshot expresses his gratitude for the support he has received from fans. "My people love me, and I’m so shocked that with my number of followers, people recognize me on the streets! I mean, I feel like I've just started, but people are really giving me love, and I appreciate it. ‘Mainland’ is close to crossing 100,000 views on YouTube and on Spotify too. So it’s going well, and we want this momentum to keep going for our new releases because we got a hell lotta tracks on the way coming sooner than ya’ll think!" he enthuses.
The Independent Artist's Struggle
Navigating the music industry as an independent artist comes with its set of challenges. From bearing the costs of production to promoting his music, the journey has been tough but rewarding. "Being an independent artist, we have to pay the producer, then for recordings, then mixing engineer and mastering engineer, then promote songs, and in return, we expect nothing until the song blows up. So it’s a very rough process the artist goes through. It teaches you many good things as well… you gotta keep at it," he reflects.
Future Projects and Collaborations
Looking ahead, Kidshot has an array of exciting projects in the pipeline. "I got so many tracks lined up. The next one is with Kalam Ink, two songs with him, then maybe a few singles, and then an EP with Bella and other collaborative songs as well. I’m excited about it," he shares. This blend of collaborations and solo projects highlights his dynamic approach to music-making.
Evolution as an Artist
Over the years, Kidshot's artistry has evolved significantly. He has incorporated new elements into his music, driven by a desire to continually improve and innovate. "As you go on doing and loving your art so much, you try and add new things. So yes, I tried to get my pen game up and then add new elements to my sound. I never decide what I must do. It just happens naturally. It’s like God is using me to tell stories. That’s what I believe in," he says.
A Proud Milestone
One of the proudest moments of his career is being recognized by Nas, an artist who initially inspired him to start writing. "There has been an evolution since when I started as I used to listen to Nas and started writing. Now Nas knows who I am, so I feel proud of that, and yes, I feel I've just begun my journey," he remarks with a sense of accomplishment.
The Independent Artist's Struggle
Navigating the music industry as an independent artist comes with its set of challenges. From bearing the costs of production to promoting his music, the journey has been tough but rewarding. "Being an independent artist, we have to pay the producer, then for recordings, then mixing engineer and mastering engineer, then promote songs, and in return, we expect nothing until the song blows up. So it’s a very rough process the artist goes through. It teaches you many good things as well… you gotta keep at it," he reflects.
Future Projects and Collaborations
Looking ahead, Kidshot has an array of exciting projects in the pipeline. "I got so many tracks lined up. The next one is with Kalam Ink, two songs with him, then maybe a few singles, and then an EP with Bella and other collaborative songs as well. I’m excited about it," he shares. This blend of collaborations and solo projects highlights his dynamic approach to music-making.
Evolution as an Artist
Over the years, Kidshot's artistry has evolved significantly. He has incorporated new elements into his music, driven by a desire to continually improve and innovate. "As you go on doing and loving your art so much, you try and add new things. So yes, I tried to get my pen game up and then add new elements to my sound. I never decide what I must do. It just happens naturally. It’s like God is using me to tell stories. That’s what I believe in," he says.
A Proud Milestone
One of the proudest moments of his career is being recognized by Nas, an artist who initially inspired him to start writing. "There has been an evolution since when I started as I used to listen to Nas and started writing. Now Nas knows who I am, so I feel proud of that, and yes, I feel I've just begun my journey," he remarks with a sense of accomplishment.
Crafting a Unique Sound
Over the years, Kidshot's music has been described as unique and ahead of its time. He attributes this to his unwavering commitment to lyrical rap, a genre he embraced when there were only a handful of rappers in the scene. "Yes, people have been calling my music ahead of its time, and maybe after 10 years, everyone will understand what I was doing. But I want people to recognize me now for what I’m doing. This lyrical rap thing, I can proudly say that I have been doing this since there were maybe only 7-8 rappers in the scene. DIVINE and Naezy were one of those," he explains.
Diving into ‘Mainland’
His latest track, ‘Mainland,’ showcases his versatility as an artist. He wanted to demonstrate that even a hardcore rapper could explore different sounds, including the use of autotune. "With ‘Mainland,’ I wanted to show different sounds I can dive into. People don’t expect that from me, using autotune and stuff, but I like to experiment with my sound," he reveals. This willingness to experiment and push boundaries is a hallmark of his creative process.
Themes and Inspirations
The themes of ‘Mainland,’ like much of Kidshot's music, are drawn from personal experiences and the lives of those around him. "All my songs come through personal experiences or someone in my circle that has experienced it, so it’s a lifestyle thing which I talk about in my lyrics. The hustle we went through growing up cannot be explained in a single song. It’s just a part of it," he says. His creative process is spontaneous, often driven by inspiration and ideas that come from interactions with people.
Audience Reception
The response to ‘Mainland’ has been overwhelmingly positive. Kidshot expresses his gratitude for the support he has received from fans. "My people love me, and I’m so shocked that with my number of followers, people recognize me on the streets! I mean, I feel like I've just started, but people are really giving me love, and I appreciate it. ‘Mainland’ is close to crossing 100,000 views on YouTube and on Spotify too. So it’s going well, and we want this momentum to keep going for our new releases because we got a hell lotta tracks on the way coming sooner than ya’ll think!" he enthuses.
