When you think of rap music, Mumbai might not be the first place that comes to mind. But hold your horses, because Vivian Fernandes, known by his stage name Divine, is shaking the industry from India’s financial heart. Known for his unflinching lyrics and magnetic presence, this Mumbai-based rapper has been paving his way to becoming a global sensation. Who is Divine? He's a force of nature in the rap world, transforming the chaos of the streets into lyrical craftsmanship since he first hit the scene around 2011.
Divine didn't just wander onto the rap scene; he catapulted in, driven by an electrifying mix of talent and tenacity. His meteoric rise is devoid of any so-called privilege or industry backing. Growing up in the streets of Mumbai, he faced the kind of hardships that most Western artists couldn’t even fathom. Yet, perhaps it was these hardships that furnished him with a unique voice, resonating deeply with millions. His music tackles the raw and gritty realities of life, and he's not catering to the politically correct crowd while he does it.
For those who believe that rap should merely bubble over with catchy hooks about money and fame, Divine has an entirely different recipe. Listen to any of his tracks, from “Meri Gully Mein” to “Jungli Sher”, and you will find a masterful blend of Mumbai's gritty underbelly with eloquent expressions. Unlike the coddled voices you find in mainstream media, Divine doesn't sugarcoat or sidestep controversy. If anything, he leans into it, feeding off its energy to elevate his verse to universal themes such as survival and aspiration.
This brings us to an interesting divide. Some argue that his music lacks the political correctness that resonates within liberal circles. But Divine isn’t concerned about fitting into a prescribed mold. His music confronts uncomfortable truths and navigates them with brute honesty. And really, isn’t that what art should be about—conveying truths, even when it makes people squirm?
A noteworthy point in Divine’s career was his feature in the international giants Apple Music and BBC Asian Network. In a world where everyone is trying to shoehorn themselves into an already oversaturated Westernized rap scene, Divine remained unabashedly true to his roots. Not only was he winning audiences in India, but he was also bagging accolades globally, making everyone take note. He was one of the first Indian rappers to rap in Hindi and earn global recognition, which speaks volumes about his ability to convert cultural authenticity into universal appeal.
Let's be honest, the mainstream Western rap world is heavily saturated with political undertones and buzzwords. It is refreshing to witness someone taking the road less traveled, offering not just another narrative, but one that is strikingly original. Divine wears the badge of controversy proudly, not subscribing to the predominant ideology and dodging the faux platitudes that often obscure reality. He channels the socio-economic struggles of the common man into art that breathes life. His narratives don’t rely on blind allegiance to trending social causes but rather on the resilient spirit of individual hopes and dreams.
Although his music is in Hindi, its essence is universal. You don’t need to comprehend every word to feel the thunderous weight of his message. This is a language of raw emotion and energy that educates while also entertaining.
A highlight was the creation of the film “Gully Boy,” inspired by Divine and others’ life stories. This movie broke records, giving the world a close-up glance at underground Indian rap culture. But instead of jumping on the bandwagon of its success like a political candidate at a ribbon-cutting, Divine remained humble and focused. One can say he merely opened the door; others followed.
Divine's influence extends beyond chart-topping singles and sold-out concerts. His Gully Gang company aims to foster upcoming talents and provides a platform for them to bloom. This initiative has positioned Divine not just as an artist but as a guiding light to others in similar circumstances. This isn't an artist manipulating his fanbase for a quick buck; instead, he builds a community and sows the seeds of real change by opening doors others wouldn't.
Divine is an unscripted phenomenon who tasks himself with staying genuine. He deals in truth, singing from the same hymn sheet as his origins, displaying the vigor of real artistry. Yes, his stories are about Indian streets, but in essence, they stem from a universal human experience. In music as in life, he strides into spaces most avoid, creating paths from unpaved roads.
In today’s convoluted mix of vapid political correctness and statements chained to bias, Divine stands tall as a figure unafraid of speaking his mind. In a world where language police are quick to sanitize, here is an artist embracing grit and dissatisfaction with the status quo. Perhaps the world needs a little more of this raw authenticity—spoken from the heart, unvarnished and unafraid.