Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Big Dane

Today on Rhythm of Love we have an upcoming artist from Chumukedima Dimapur,18 year old Safer Uddin who goes by the stage name “Big Dane”. Big Dane is an independent upcoming rap artist who performs both in Hindi and English, he turns his poetry into rap and is upfront about his beliefs.   EASTERN MIRROR: For those new to you and your music, tell us something about you. Big Dane: First things first I go by the name Big Dane aka Safer Uddin; I am an 18 year old multilingual rapper representing Chumukedima, Dimapur. I am currently doing my B.sc from Patkai Christian College with good marks (smiles). I’ve been here for a long time it’s just that people take time to recognize Rappers hahaha. I started rapping when I was in 3rd grade and since then I haven’t stopped. I was greatly moved by Tupac’s work, and this inspired me to start writing poems and eventually rap. I have done a few freestyle performances, you can check them out on reverbnation.com, and also my first single came out last month on YouTube named “Real on The Rise.” My main aim here is to represent the Northeast and specially my neighbourhood that’s Chumukedima to the main scene in our country. EASTERN MIRROR: What do you hope to do with your music? Big Dane: Basically right now I got no real big plans regarding my music. But all I hope is that, those people who love rap and people who listen to my music can relate to what I do. I hope they relate to the struggles, the issues we are facing day after day. I just hope that I can be a voice and reach out to people, by showing that “Yes, rap is alive in Nagaland and anyone can realise their dreams on the rap scene.” EASTERN MIRROR: Which artists do you listen to for inspiration? Big Dane:I listen to lots of music actually no matter which genre; I listen to lotsof music because I love music. But for inspiration purpose I listen to artists like Tupac, Biggie, Nas, Jay Z and yah Kendrick Lamar is a new favourite because that man raps real and I love that and even J Cole you can relate to every single track of his because he talks about what goes on around him. I try to do the same thing with my music, I try to make it more relatable so that people can relate to it and eventually get me more views haha. EASTERN MIRROR: What do you think your listeners will get out of your music? What messages do you try to convey? Big Dane:Well, to be honest, as a rapper, all I want to do is to help people relate to what I’m saying on the mic. I try to keep things as real and raw as possible and present my thoughts through my songs. I don’t rap about girls or cars or money, cuz I don’t have them now. Maybe when I have them, I’ll rap about them. And like I said, I try to present issues and struggles we face every day in our lives... Like racism, discrimination and such stuff... All I want is for people to stand for their rights. I just want people to understand this simple intention and spread good music and happiness in my state and everywhere possible! People who listen to me will always get to know the bitter truth because that is what I record and that is what my songs contain. Real on the rise is very special to me... It’s my first well written song and it basically refers to the current society and talks about the mindsets of the people too, and how cuz of their ridiculous mindset they discriminate against people like us with smaller eyes, dyed hair, different dressing and such stuffs... The song as the title suggests, echoes that the real thing is rising... The real cause is rising... In the first verse I talk to a brother, who’s been through all these situations, which have happened cuz he was different... In the second verse, it’s like I talk to God asking him why we have to face these problems. I tell him I never expected this to happen.. I even see my friends, my own brother backstabbing me.. And I feel worn down... In the third verse, it’s more violent... Not in any physical aspect ...but we’regoing to raise our voice and make sure we’re heard. It’s like a warning to those people who think we can’t do anything. We have our limits and we’ve been pushed back and now it’s time we fight back.. Well it’s one of the truest and realest songs you’ll hear this year.... The music industry is growing real fast in Nagaland and its all good but I feel like the industry is not noticing rap yet. I just want more people to get involved in rap and you know put rap on the map of the state’s music industry. Another thing that always hurts me is the fact that people here think that rappers are free of cost, I don’t know what the others think but I feel like people should try to be more conscious about hip hop. I mean, we spend our time on this and we put our heart and soul into this and we all gotta pay bills so they should pay us if we do something for them. Well currently am working on my mix tape which will be out next year. A video probably but I am not sure when it will be out.. I’ll be putting out another single this year which will be my first all Hindi track. And yes am doing collaborative works with my homie Rugks and my homie Ideal who is a rapper /producer from South Africa. So yah my listeners can expect a lots of music from me.I will be performing live on the URBAN JAM event which is the first of its kind in Nagaland, on the 12th of November in Kohima. I urge all the Hip hop heads to get the tickets once it’s out because the event is all about Hip hop and people who are into Hip hop will get to know a lot and you also have a good time.