What does a person define themselves by? What makes someone unique while we all get sucked into the same race chasing the status quo? Or let me hit you with the most important question: what does society define you by? Multiple answers can be given, such as jewelry, money, career, and other possessions. But the truth that this writer conveys through his pen is the one he believes in: a person is defined by their morals and their conscience; they are defined by their way of life. Today on Premise, we have the pleasure of featuring someone who has her own unique way—a way that is resilient, rebellious, and radiant. This is the Irfana Hameed way.
In the ever-growing landscape of Indian artistry, hip-hop has taken precedence over all, with the term “DHH” becoming the new favorite of the youth. In classic Indian fashion, the presence of women in the scene remains, generously put, “minimal.” While this statement still holds, there is always hope. Carrying this torch of hope for female representation and respect is a rapper from the serene valley of Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu: Irfana Hameed.
Born in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu—a small hill station full of serene views, mountains, and lakes—the town is a summer break host for people nearby. Established by the British in 1860, the town is centered around a missionary school, which is also a boarding school, and attracts students from all over the world, fostering a diverse international culture like no other. This small town became the playground for the rapper, who aims to bridge the gap between Indian and Western culture through her music.
While in elementary school, a fun incident introduced her to the world of hip-hop. Studying in a Catholic school, the curriculum revolved around Christianity. One day, her teachers played a rap song about Jesus, which intrigued her and sparked her curiosity in the genre. Although she didn’t immerse herself immediately into hip-hop, this moment was a foreshadowing of her destiny.
Growing up in a Muslim family and studying in a Catholic school with a diverse crowd, Irfana’s life revolved around various cultures. She was heavily immersed in art from the beginning, playing the piano, participating in Sunday choirs, and being trained in Western and Carnatic vocals. Although her family had no musical background, her childhood and teenage years were spent playing different instruments, performing at local music festivals, and writing poetry from an early age.
Around the time of her high school graduation, hip-hop had captured her heart, but the idea of making music for a living had never crossed her mind, despite a teenage life filled with performance arts and music. Initially wanting to become a writer, she was encouraged by her father to pursue law while continuing to write.
After graduating from high school and with a newfound passion for hip-hop, she took the next step and moved to Canada for college. There, she made friends who shared her passion for hip-hop, started writing her own tracks, and began participating in open mic shows. Irfana has always been a “throw it to the wall and see what sticks” person. During her time in Canada, she taught yoga, worked in security, published her school newspaper, and worked in marketing, trying different things to see what resonated with her.
Upon returning to India after finishing her degree, she moved to Bombay and attended her first Indian hip-hop show, a Gully Boy promotional show headlined by Divine. Irfana’s passion for hip-hop turned into a concrete aim when she saw Dee MC performing for the first time at that show in front of thousands. That’s when the switch flipped; something had finally stuck. While the dream was finally decorated, she moved to Bangalore at her father's request to join a law internship. While sitting at the desk as the youngest intern, she would write verses or listen to hip-hop music while waiting for the clock to run out. After some time, another thing stuck—well, COVID stuck, and everything went silent. But Irfana’s voice just got louder as this catastrophic event turned into a blessing for the rapper. During COVID, she met up with some of her friends in the industry, took music seriously, and released her first project, “LSD” (Law School Dropout), in 2020. She never looked back, releasing another project, “Ko-Lab,” in 2021, featuring in NBA India’s “All the Way Up” campaign, becoming the first female to be signed by Def Jam India, and much more. While the journey seems simple in this continuous string of achievements, it is not the case.
Coming from a Muslim family in a small town in Tamil Nadu, Irfana had always been an object of judgment in the eyes of society and those around her. From her clothes to her attitude, everything was scrutinized at every step of the way, which became a traumatic experience for her. While moving to Canada helped her accept herself in every way, returning to India brought the demons back as she faced constant criticism from her relatives and close ones over her music, persona, and the attire she wore for her shoots. While the backlash was hurtful and always had been, the word “stopping” was one she had never known. She continued in her own way, taking a bold stance through whatever she did. Soon enough, she became an inspiration for the women oppressed around her and in her community, often receiving love from them through texts. Irfana’s way of living became a statement against those who wanted to suppress her and has become a figure for many to look up to.
The influence of the diverse cultural amalgamation and colonial history of Kodaikanal led to the widespread use of English as a primary language for communication. While Irfana had learned Tamil, she initially wrote in English, which is a major reason her first releases were in that language. However, in an exclusive chat with Premise, she expressed her desire to represent her roots, revealing that her next releases will be in Tamil. She shared that she is very excited about this new direction.
Born in Kodaikanal, a small hill station town in Tamil Nadu, and set around a British missionary school, the area still carries the old scent of colonialism and our history of being ruled. How ironic is it that a rapper breaking free from stereotypical old shackles comes from this very place? Through her music and the persona she has presented over the years, Irfana Hameed has transformed into a boss woman of the industry. Not bowing in front of the powers against her and staying true to herself, she moves forward on the path she forges with every step, motivating her fans along the way and creating a legacy of her own—the Irfana Hameed way.
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