Raftaar Shares Views On Diss Culture, Hip-Hop And His Music Journey

February 9, 2025: Renowned singer and rapper Raftaar, known for his iconic tracks like “Swag Mera Desi” and “Sheikh Chilli,” recently shared his views on the growing diss culture in hip-hop and its impact on the industry. The artist, who has established himself as a prominent figure in the Hindi hip-hop scene, reflected on the purpose of diss tracks and their role in personal expression.

Raftaar explained that diss tracks are an artistic medium to present one’s perspective. He advised fans and artists to focus on the meaningful aspects of music, dismissing the “nonsense” that may sometimes be associated with diss culture. “You have to just focus on the simple thing. You have all sorts of media; all you have to do is extract the education from it. If your instincts say that it’s nonsense, then ignore it,” Raftaar said, emphasizing the power of choice in shaping what one consumes.

Raftaar, who was involved in a high-profile diss battle with rapper Emiway Bantai in 2018, knows firsthand the intensity of these exchanges. However, he urges the younger generation to take what is valuable from the music and ignore negativity. This perspective comes from his own journey in the music world, where he transitioned from a dancer on the popular reality show Dance India Dance to a leading rapper and singer in Bollywood.

Reflecting on his unexpected rise in the music industry, Raftaar humorously referred to his dancing career as a “fluke.” “I used to do both (singing and dancing), but my fluke hit on dance first. Actually, I believe that people should keep hitting flukes as you never know what may work for you. Maybe you will realize that ‘oh people love this also’. So don’t stop hitting flukes (new things in this case), keep throwing arrows in the dark,” he shared. His journey exemplifies how embracing multiple opportunities and staying open-minded can lead to unexpected success.

Raftaar also touched upon the growing concert culture in India, which he views as a positive development. With a focus on youth engagement, Raftaar believes that concerts provide a space for people to connect beyond their phones and immerse themselves in live music. “Growing concerts means that youth is not stuck to their phone and are ready to go out. We make music so that people can resonate and it connects us. We get to meet each other. It feels normal,” he said. He pointed out how concerts offer a break from the constant negative news, providing a moment of happiness and togetherness.

As Raftaar prepares for his performance at the third edition of the Royal Stag Boom Box in Gurugram, he will be joined by other talented artists like Neeti Mohan, Armaan Malik, and DJ Yogii. This event promises to be a celebration of music, connecting fans and artists for an unforgettable night of entertainment.