Photo: Raja Kumari & Sidhu Moose Wala
As Hip-Hop across the globe continues to mourn Sidhu Moose Wala’s controversial death last year, Indian Hip-Hop/Rap pioneer Raja Kumari remembered the slain Punjabi rapper during a recent sitdown.
Speaking to ‘Humans of Bombay’, Kumari spoke at length about “losing Sidhu” and her massive collaborative effort “US” with the legendary rap artist on the “Moosetape” LP.
“Losing Sidhu felt very personal – it was a loss for all of us. I remember, when he called me for a collaboration, it shocked a lot of people. But not me, I had manifested it. And it was such a pleasure to have known and worked with him; he was always so respectful – that’s what Sidhu taught me,” Kumari said amidst her interview.
The rapper, who is behind the iconic Indian rap record “City Slums” featuring rap royalty Divine, further commented that “it’s been over a year now that we’ve lost him and no justice has been served.”
“It’s been hard that… a year has come now that there is literally no justice. That’s really hard to swallow. For me, a lot of people had obviously watched the video (of Sidhu’s death) but I would say that to this day I haven’t watched that video,” she said.
Notably, Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents Balkaur Singh Sidhu and Charan Kaur Singh are yet to receive justice for their son’s infamous murder in Mansa, Punjab.
Kumari, who is herself a veteran in Indian rap music and has pushed the South Asian rap culture across the globe, urged artists and listeners to keep Moosa’s “music alive.”
“I find solace in the fact that he opened my DM and gave me an opportunity to work with him. And the best tribute for him is that we, as a culture, keep his music alive!” Kumari asserted.
Ever since his death, Moose Wala continues to be remembered by global rap’s tall figures including Drake, Burna Boy, Divine, Tion Wayne and MIST and British rap superproducer Steel Banglez.
Earlier this year, Birmingham’s legendary woman emcee Stefflon Don visited Moose Wala’s home in Mansa, Punjab on his birthday. During her brief stay, Don paid her respects to Sidhu’s parents and is now gearing up her sophomore effort “Dilemma” with the legendary late rapper.
Read everything about “Dilemma” by Stefflon Don & Sidhu Moose Wala.
Most recently, Moose Wala linked up with Divine on “Chorni”. The track, which was preceded by Moose’s affecting record “Mera Na” with Afro-rap superstar Burna Boy, became the highest charting Indian Hip-Hop record at the Billboard Canada Hot 100 this year.
Rest in Peace, Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu.
Watch Raja Kumar’s sprawling conversation with ‘Humans of Bombay’ below.
Listen to the ‘Moosetape’ LP by Sidhu Moose Wala via Spotify.
