“Anything worth having is worth losing it all for,” those wise words came straight from the mouth of soulful rapper the1shanti. Don’t know the1shanti, well then it’s time to get familiar, because he’s making massive moves in the hip hop industry as he is the first and only South Asian to be signed to legendary hip hop label Rawkus Records which once boasted such artists as Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Desi Hits! had a chance to sit down with Shanti and pick his brain on everything he’s been up to lately.

Shanti is no average rapper; he was chosen to be a part of the Rawkus 50, which is a list of 50 rappers that they feel are the next generation of most influential hip hop artists. That didn’t just happen over night though, as he’s been rhyming since he was 8 and was even mentored by rapper Doug-E-Fresh. He was even bestowed the honorary title of 'India Bambaataa' by hip hop legend and leader Afrika Bambaataa. “It’s a lot of pressure but it’s inspirational,” says Shanti. He sees it as a huge source of reflection, and a chance to do more than he thought was possible.

Shanti has also toured all across Europe and Asia as a part of the Dum Dum Project before starting his own label, Flatbush Junction. Through the label he’s signed other artists like RnB singer Marko Dutta and rapper Actual Fact.

Shanti tells us he’s been really lucky to work with more “arty” rappers. That’s probably why he describes his new self titled record as autobiographical; a more conscious record that touches on growing up and experiencing things unique to us as South Asians.

The first single ‘It’s That Time’ was produced by underground hip hop producer JJ Brown and the video will be out very soon. The album itself is available on the Rawkus Records website and is released as a joint venture between Rawkus Records, Laskar Music Group and his own label Flatbush Junction. It will also be available on iTunes in late October.

Yet, Shanti tells us he’s less concerned with people buying the record, but he’d rather have people take a look at his life and career and learn from that. He says he’s always swam against the current and went against what he should’ve done. “It’s important not to lose track of what you want in life... smart people who followed their passion treat it like any other day job,” says Shanti. Shanti’s passion for what he does is undeniable and it’s the reason you just have to hear his music to believe just how incredibly talented he is.

Photos Courtesy of: Rod Morata

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