Ahead of his show in Mumbai, Sri Lankan Canadian musician SVDP shares with us his journey

The artiste raps to the mridangam; SVDP performs at an event last year; rapper Reble. Pics Courtesy/Instagram

A quick look at The Beatles, who jammed together in the pubs of Liverpool before making it big, or Eminem, who kicked things off by rapping in lunchrooms with his friends, tells us that experimenting with music at a young age could set you up for success. Such is the case of SVDP, a Jaffna-born singer and rapper who rose to prominence in the last two years with his unique blend of a sharp, snappy rapping style set to Carnatic-inspired beats.

Humble beginnings

The rapper will take the stage at a performing arts space in Mahalaxmi, alongside rapper Reble this weekend. Recalling his formative years fondly, he says, "My earliest memories of experimenting with music are casually freestyling with friends and learning other artistes' rap lyrics. I have no formal training in music. Gangsta's paradise by Coolio was the first song I memorised front to back. The first tape I ever owned was LL Cool J's Mamma said knock you out. These are core memories that are etched in my mind in terms of my rapping foundation."

Harmonising cultures

The artiste's Made in Jaffna (2021) is a window into his childhood. He escaped the civil war at the age of six, fleeing to Canada as a refugee and struggled to carve a niche for himself as an outsider in the West. Now, two years later, he remarks, "I've had to juggle two cultures my whole life, so it feels nice to have finally found my footing without having to compromise who I am or where I came from. We can often think that our scene is the centre of the world, whether that's in Canada or India. So, the beauty of being tapped into two different cultures, and scenes allows me to witness a more global perspective."

Behind the canvas

A believer of taking artistry beyond the confines of music, SVDP's self-directed music videos are a testament to his artistic vision. They are a vivid montage of vibrant colours, traditional motifs, and contemporary urban aesthetics, creating an immersive visual experience. Revealing his artistic process, the rapper says, "Inspiration for me doesn't come from a specific point or place, it's a state of being. I always try to stay in that state of mind, so that everything can
be inspiring."

The musician, who has been touring extensively around the Subcontinent this year reveals to us that there's a lot more in the pipeline for the fans. With three albums in the making, he reveals that performing live has always been a fulfilling experience and will always remain a priority. "Sometimes, shows in bigger cities can be daunting, as the crowd has seen it all and it is harder to impress them. It's a fun challenge to win them over by the end of a set. I'm always inspired when I come to Mumbai; there's always something more to explore, even when you think you've seen it all," the rapper concludes.

ON November 3; 8 pm onwards
AT G5A Warehouse, Laxmi Mills Estate, Mahalaxmi West.
LOG ON TO insider.in
COST Rs 750 onwards