Episode 133: Raja Kumari is Building The Bridge
Today's guest is none other than Raja Kumari, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and India’s top female rapper. Known as Svetha Rao to loved ones, she brings an otherworldly fusion of Eastern and Western music that's completely reshaping the industry.
In our chat, Raja Kumari takes us on a journey through her album 'The Bridge’. Released worldwide in April 2023, this album is a work that not only showcases her unique blend of cultures but also marks her debut under her own label that launched two years prior, Godmother Records. Talk about trailblazers, guys, this woman is fearless. She has such a charismatic personality and is truly a natural-born storyteller, who by the way now has over 43 million monthly Spotify streams.
I had such a blast interviewing her as she shared captivating insights into her transition from classical dance to hip-hop, her struggles with American labels, and her groundbreaking move back to India, where she found an audience that immediately resonated with her music. We also touch on her collaborations with absolute legends in the industry like John Legend, her approach to songwriting, and her vision for empowering women in music. Join us as we dive into Raja Kumari's world, where music is an expression of identity and a tool we can use to decorate time. Her experiences, from performing at India’s biggest music festival to working with all sorts of iconic figures, highlight her journey as an artist and a cultural innovator.
We talked about:
Finding a guardian angel in Madhuri Dixit + the initial journey to making revolutionary music (2:12)
Touring for 'The Bridge' (14:42)
Transforming Svetha Rao through the birth and evolution of Raja Kumari (22:44)
Slaying the challenges of creating an album during a global pandemic (29:15)
Raja's inspiration for naming GodMother + showcasing the power of authenticity and cultural pride (36:55)
What’s up next for Raja + healing through music (42:23)
Rapid Fire Questions (50:29)
Raja's Soundbite For The Soul (53:43)
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