Not many artists in this scene can do that with four singles,” continues his brother. “About two years ago, he started out from the beginning like everyone does, but in one-and-a-half year, with only four singles, he has toured all over the world. “He does the dancing, and he also designs his own clothes, what the people need to know is he is a trendsetter,” says Sahil Raja, his brother, MC and manager. People need someone who can represent Pakistan,” says Raja. “Yes, I need my X-factor I need my style, because I have to make people look at me. It’s a whole attitude that he represents, and wants to promote. He also is the first to openly sport a Mohawk and experiment with his own look. Raja has been quick in devising creative beats, along with exuding his own sense of style and fashion. The urban desi hip-hop market has grown over the last 15 years, and has seen several popular artists, such as Jay Sean, leave a mark on a global level. “I love to perform, I don’t say I like to sing live because it becomes difficult, but what I really love is the way I entertain, I’ve got so much self-confidence,” says Raja.
His first single, No Clue ft Salah Edin quickly became a success, reaching all the major channels in India and Pakistan. I listened to it for the first time only three years ago, and when I did listen to it, it changed my life,” says Raja. “I didn’t really grow up with desi music. Raja was introduced to desi music around three years ago, which provided a new trajectory to his music. He is influenced by an array of genres of music, namely hip-hop, Latin music, and other sounds. I don’t have time to leave my country or work, to experiment to see if people are going to like my music, the reason I came was because I got a response,” remarks Raja, who is visiting Pakistan for the first time.
“I never do a show if there is no demand. The Express Tribune caught up with the rising star ahead of his concerts. The artist is currently on a countrywide tour of Pakistan, performing in a number of cities including Lahore, Islamabad and Multan. Half-Pakistani, half-Mongolian, Raja was born and raised in Amsterdam, and has recently signed a contract with Universal India. Even with only four singles to his name, Kamal Raja has quickly become one of the most sought-after desi hip-hop artists coming out of Europe.