Even after being thrust into the spotlight, though, the artist born Sooraj Cherukat keeps it real.
But what brought us here, thats what will continue to take us forward.
That doesnt mean that Im keeping my eyes closed.
Tanay Shetty*
I like to say that I keep my ear to the streets.
Well, the streets called and they wanted aremix.
The second half of the remix is entirely different from the actual song.
Even so, the Big Dawgs remix tacked on another 2 million YouTube views and counting.
I have moves and intentions.
I have found purpose in what I do after years of not having it, he says.
Theres a lot I want to say and thats purely through the art.
Up next: Whispers of a mixtape released ahead of his upcoming performance at Coachella.
I think Coachella is a good place to try it and see if that translates live.
To him, its about reclaiming what was lost and rewriting a story for his people.
(One YouTube user commented: Bringing our culture to the world.
No diss tracks, no fancy cars, drugs etc.
Just pure talent and art.
This authenticity shines through as our conversation winds down and veers toward the topic of food.
In Kerala, theres something called appam with stew they call it ishtew, he raves.
Its a fucking combination.
It goes so hard.
He goes on to describe the dish with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for a life-altering concert.
