Krsna (rapper)

Last updated

KR$NA
IMG 0838 Rapper KRSNA.jpg
KR$NA performing in 2016
Background information
Birth nameKrishna Kaul
Also known asKR$NA, Krsna, YoungProzpekt, Prozpekt, Dollar Sign
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active2006–present
Labels Universal, Zee, Kalamkaar

Krishna Kaul, known mononymously as Krishna (stylised now as KR$NA; previously as Krsna) and formerly as YoungProzpekt, is a rapper from New Delhi, India. [1] [2] He is one of the earliest rappers to emerge in the Indian hip hop scene in the mid-2000s under the stage name Prozpekt. He also briefly featured in the 2019 Bollywood film Gully Boy as himself. [3] [4] He is known for his writing and technical skills as a rapper, along with his infamous beefs in the Desi Hip-Hop scene.

Contents

Early life

Krishna Kaul was born on 4 October 1987 to a Kashmiri Pandit family in Delhi. He spent a part of his childhood in South London, where he was raised and schooled for a few years. Kaul started rapping at the age of fourteen in an effort to blend in with other children in his school in London. [5]

Career

Kaul started recording and releasing songs on his MySpace page in 2006, by 2008 he had gained a small local fanbase in New Delhi and racked up features with artists in the U.S.A. and Canada. [6] His first shot of success came with the release of the music video for "Kaisa Mera Desh" in 2010, [7] [8] becoming the first Indian hip hop song on YouTube and earning a #2 ranking as one of the most watched music videos in India overnight following its release. [9] He also released a song titled "Vijay" in collaboration with international NGO Save The Children in 2013. [10]

After sporadic underground releases, Kaul switched from Prozpekt to his current stage name KR$NA after signing a record deal with Universal Music in 2013. [11] In May 2014, he released his debut album Sellout, an all-English effort on Universal Music with its lead single "Last Night" peaking at #5 on the Vh1 Music Charts in India. [12] Kaul became the first hip hop artist in India to do a five-city album tour with a band. [2] [1] Following this, the music video for the title song "Sellout" was released but failed to make a large impact due to lacklustre marketing and shrinking label budgets. [13] [14]

After a 2-year hiatus, Kaul made his return in 2016 with his Hindi release "Vyanjan". [15] [16] Following the success of song, he signed to the artist management agency DNH (now KALAMKAAR) Artists in 2017 and became the partner in 2018, whom he is represented by along with the likes of Raftaar and Ankit Khanna.

In 2020, Kaul accused the IPL and Disney+ Hotstar of permitting the plagiarism of his 2017 song "Dekh Kaun Aaya Wapas" when creating the 2020 IPL anthem "Ayenge Hum Wapas", an allegation which was dismissed by composer Pranav Ajayrao Malpe. Kaul responded by stating that "his team[...], will take the legal route and approach Disney+ Hotstar, which commissioned the song". [17] [18]

In the month of January 2021, Kaul was featured on American rapper Hi-Rez's song "Crossroads" along with Royce da 5'9". [19] Later in July, another collaboration with Hi-Rez was released, titled "Playground" which also featured former Slaughterhouse member, KXNG Crooked. His collaboration in Hi-Rez's song "Overdrive", was released in November 2021, featuring A-F-R-O, Joell Ortiz, Bizzy Bone, Tech N9ne and Twista. The music videos were released on Hi-Rez's YouTube channel. [20] As of 2022, he featured in Karan Aujla's song "YKWIM".

Discography

Albums

Sellout (2014)

YearSongArtist(s)Produced by
2014The Glorious First StepKR$NABradley Dhawan
FadedKR$NA ft. Cory Jones
SelloutKR$NATony Fadd
Getting AwayKR$NABreathtaking Beats
Last NightKR$NAMetroGnome
ErrydayKR$NA ft. Sonny BrownTony Fadd
TrippingKR$NA
Last SongKR$NABradley Dhawan

Still Here (2021)

YearSongArtist(s)Produced byNote(s)
2021Still Here (Intro)KR$NASafin
What's My Name?KR$NARaftaar
Roll UpKR$NA ft. Badshah Josh Petruccio
VillainKR$NA ft. Karma & IKKA Depo
DreamKR$NADeep Kalsi
Fall Off (Interlude)KR$NAKapellmaisterAn extended verse was added in the music video
Saza-E-MautKR$NA ft. RaftaarRill Beats & Young Grape Beatz
Na Hai TimeKR$NAJ Caspersen
2020Living LegendKR$NA ft. Rashmeet KaurDidker

Singles and collaborations

YearTrackArtist(s)Produced byNote(s)
2006I Want it AllYoung ProzpektSamples Queen's I Want It All
2006Bitch Please (Remix)Big T ft.Young ProzpektRemix of Eminem's Bitch Please II
2007I Go GoYoung Prozpekt ft. Soldier Hard
2008F$ck Wit UsPacifik ft. Young ProzpektFrom F1J1 Survivor by Pacifik
2009Fancy GillRabbit Sack C & Young ProzpektRabbit Sack CFrom BackLog by Rabbit Sack C
Thats me/ ShahzaadeRabbit Sack C, Bluntz, Young Prozpekt & NYCE
Yellow TaxiRabbit Sack C, Young Prozpekt, Big T & Slim Neil
Naam Toh Pukar/ Get Out Of My WayProzpekt
2010Kaisa Mera DeshProzpektDJ Corbett
KhatarnaakProzpekt ft. Sonny Brown
2011Imran Khan – Amped Up (Amplifier Remix)Rabbit Sack C & Young ProzpektRabbit Sack C
DISCONNECTSu.1, Prozpekt & Ashish D'souzaSu.1
Poocho na Yaar Kya Hua – RemixRabbit Sack C & Young Prozpekt
Lokpal FreestyleProzpekt
2012Peeche Na DekhRabbit Sack C ft. ProzpektRabbit Sack C
Put Ur Lighters UpRabbit Sack C ft. Su.1 & ProzpektRabbit Sack C
VijayProzpektDJ CorbettFrom BackLog by Rabbit Sack C
2013Whatchya Know About ItRabbit Sack C & Young ProzpektRabbit Sack C
Cold BloodedProzpekt ft.Twisted Insane MetroGnome
How You Like Me Now Lost Stories ft. Krishna KaulLost StoriesFrom Music for the # Generation by Lost Stories
2014Bang BangRabbit Sack C, Young Prozpekt, Agrim Joshi & Nishit BhatiaRabbit Sack CFrom BackLog by Rabbit Sack C
2015NO HASHTAGKR$NA & Su RealSU REALReleased via SoundCloud
I'm BackKR$NA & FuzzCultureFuzzCulture
Patli GaliPankaj Awasthi & KR$NAFrom Yahaan Sabki Lagi Hai
Beyond The MatrixRabbit Sack C ft. KR$NARabbit Sack C
Shots Fired MojoJojo & Sound Avtar ft. KR$NAMojoJojoFrom Shots Fired by MojoJojo
Jungle RajMojoJojo ft. KR$NA
2016VyanjanKR$NAInsane
Desi Wrap Up 2016KR$NAInsane
Keep It RealKR$NATony Fadd
2017Meri BaariKidshot ft. KR$NAREKOIL
Teri Bas Ki Na HaiKR$NA
Dekh Kaun Aaya WapasKR$NABreathtaking & LAD
WooferDeep Kalsi and KR$NADeep Kalsi
Mumbai Se Delhi TakEmiway Bantai and KR$NAInsane
I’m ReadyKR$NA ft. Raftaar Breathtaking & LAD
AlagKR$NAJ.P
2018Hip Hop Holi (MTV)KR$NA, Deep KalsI & HarjasDeep KalsiReleased via Facebook
Aakhir Tumhe Aana HaiSuryaveer ft. KR$NABoney John
Delhi TimesKR$NADhruv GanekarFrom Flirt with Your City Rap series, by Times Network
MuqablaKR$NAKR$NA
2019Voice of the Streets Ep.04 – KR$NAKR$NASiddhant ShirodkarVoice of the Streets is a capsule series from the movie Gully Boy
SoloKR$NACerti
Warm UpDeep Kalsi, Karma, Harjas, Kidshot, KR$NA & RaftaarDeep KalsiKidshot later replaced by Raftaar in a live version
Janta KyunKR$NADeep Kalsi
No NoDeep Kalsi, Harjas & KR$NADeep Kalsi
Farak Nahi PadtaKR$NAJCaspersen
AadatKR$NAJCaspersen
Freeverse Feast (Langar)KR$NARaftaarA response to Emiway Bantai's Freeverse Feast (Daawat)
Seedha MakeoverKR$NACall Me GDiss track aimed at Emiway Bantai, after his track Seedha Takeover
Dum HaiKR$NADannyetracks
2020UntitledKR$NADansonn
MaharaniKR$NADansonnDiss track aimed at Delhi-based rapper, Muhfaad
SherDeep Kalsi ft. KR$NA, Harjas & KarmaXPLICIT
MakasamKR$NADeep KalsiSecond diss track aimed at Muhfaad
Quarantine Young Stunners & KR$NAJokhay
DamnRaftaar ft. KR$NARaftaarFrom Mr. Nair by Raftaar
DownRaftaar ft. KR$NA
Tokyo Drift FreestyleKR$NA The Neptunes Features the beat of Tokyo Drift by Teriyaki Boyz

Released via Instagram

Window Shopper FreestyleKR$NAC Styles, SireFeatures the beat of Window Shopper by 50 Cent
Bag DIVINE ft. KR$NANDS, Stunnah Beatz & Progression MusicFrom DIVINE's SHUTDOWN EP
Chaukanna (Hotstar Specials Hundred)Raftaar & KR$NA ft. Karan Wahi RaftaarFrom Hotstar Specials’ Hundred
Woofer 2Deep Kalsi ft. KR$NADeep Kalsi
GallanDeep Kalsi, KR$NA, Fateh, Karma & HarjasDeep Kalsi
No LossesKR$NARoclegion & Danny E.B
Say My Name (Hindi Version)KR$NACall Me G
Say My Name (English Version)KR$NACall Me G
Saath Ya KhilafKR$NA & RaftaarRaftaar
The Key - FreestyleKR$NADeep Kalsi
Baap SeFotty Seven ft. KR$NAFriskFrom Fotty Seven's Asli Independent EP
Bohot SahiJ Trix, KR$NA & SubSpaceSubSpaceFrom J Trix's Bohot Sahi EP
2021CrossroadsHi-Rez ft. Royce da 5'9" & KR$NARyan Summer
Khauf HaiKR$NAHaji SpringerA collaboration with Realme India
PlaygroundHi-Rez ft. KR$NA & KXNG Crooked Ryan Summer
Zaruri NahiKarma ft. KR$NADeep KalsiFrom Made You Proud by Karma
Taazi Saans, Taazi SochKR$NASubSpaceCollaboration with Center Fresh and MTV India
OGKR$NAMandalaz
No CapKR$NAEnigma
OverdriveHi-Rez ft. KR$NA, Tech N9ne, A-F-R-O, Joell Ortiz, Twista & Bizzy Bone Ryan Summer
2022YKWIM Karan Aujla & KR$NA ft. Mehar VaaniYeah Proof
Blowing UpKR$NAFlexus
HIGHDeep Kalsi ft. KR$NADeep KalsiFrom Deep Kalsi's WINNERSCIRCLE EP
ON Raja Kumari ft. KR$NANacho Larraza & Karan PandavFrom Raja Kumari's HBIC EP
Lil BuntyKR$NAFlamboyDiss track aimed at Emiway Bantai, after his track Chusamba
BatmanAghor ft. KR$NAAShock

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References

  1. 1 2 Sridharan, Apuurva. "Krsna: Rap is about the situation you". The Times of India . Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  2. 1 2 Rodricks, Allan Moses (5 June 2014). "No Plan B for this rapper". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  3. "The 4th episode of Voice of the Streets featuring rapper Krishna Kaul is here and it's brilliant". mid-day. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  4. "Krishna Kaul". IMDb. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  5. Understanding Rap ft. Kr$na, RAFTAAR, Rohan Cariappa , retrieved 19 March 2021
  6. Joshi, Sakshi (20 May 2022). "How a Rapper named KR$NA changed the whole Rap scene in India". Medium. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  7. "Desi rapper slamming CWG is a hit". mid-day. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  8. "'Yeh Kaisa Mera Desh: - Young Prozpekt's Rant against the Commonwealth Games". Men's XP. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  9. "Hip hop hustle" . Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  10. "Young Prozpekt playing for change". 23 July 2013.
  11. "Contrabands signs on indie artist, rapper and hip-hop musician – KRSNA" . Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  12. "I live and breathe rap: Indian Rapper Krsna" . Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  13. IANS (1 November 2014). "Krsna's 'Sellout' title track video released". Business Standard India. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  14. Ferreira, Verus. "Musicunplugged.in : news". www.musicunplugged.in. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  15. "How I made a rap song using the entire Hindi alphabet". www.dailyo.in. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  16. "Rap Scene Today is Bigger, Less Friendly: KRSNA of 'Vyanjan' Fame". The Quint. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  17. "Rapper KR$NA says IPL 2020 anthem is plagiarised from his 2017 track 'Dekh Kaun Aaya Waapas' – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  18. "IPL 2020 anthem faces plagiarism charges, composer dismisses allegations". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  19. "Rappers KR$NA, Hi-Rez collaborate with hip hop legend Royce Da 5'9". The Siasat Daily. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  20. "New Music: Hi-Rez, KRSNA & KXNG Crooked – Playground". HipHop24x7 | Hip Hop News & Music. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.