The hip-hop superstar, known for rapping in a mix of Tamil and English, discusses Asia’s rising hip-hop movement and Jimmy Fallon on the latest episode of our Crazy Smart Asia podcast
Imposter syndrome, that sense of anxiety and self-doubt, can affect anyone—even the most successful or confident, like rapper Yung Raja.
The Singaporean hip-hop artist—best known for rapping in a mix of Tamil and English (also known as Tanglish)—has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, performed on the same stage as Travis Scott and been acknowledged by American TV host Jimmy Fallon (though it was more of a diss).
His debut single, Mustafa, has 2.5 million views on YouTube, while the dance challenge videos for his 2021 song, The Dance Song, on TikTok have collectively been viewed more than six million times.
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In the latest episode of our podcast Crazy Smart Asia, Raja opens up about his journey to becoming a hip-hop star, how he found his authentic voice and why being truthful about things he doesn’t know has only served him well.
Here are a few excerpts from the conversation. Click the audio player below to listen to the full episode or subscribe via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
On growing up as the only boy in an Indian immigrant family in Singapore
“I didn’t realise that I would be growing up in a household where I would be getting two different worlds of experiences.”
On the influence of Tamil actor Rajinikanth
“He has a unique sense of style. Everything that he does is unique to him. And that was one of the main inspirations from Rajinikanth, out of all the other things that I find inspirational in him. He was the first person to make me think what is the most unique thing about me.”