Concert Review: Raja Kumari Gives Us Punjabi Hip Hop At BK
When it comes to females in Hip Hop, it is as if we have a small room within a mansion. There ARE SO MANY incomparable, excellent female rappers that offer a distinct voice and experience, but they get swished away or tethered to the typical, machinated “Nicki VS Cardi” beefs. Enter Raja Kumari as one of the the funnest, most spirited rappers to enter the game, sell out The Knitting Factory, and make you feel like warm hearts can spit fire.
This Southeast Asian songstress ALWAYS REPRESENTS her culture, and the people come because of it. One thing about being a person of color is that we always show up when we find out one of our own is representing, especially so vivaciously. Yet, not every artist wishes to explore, embody, and elevate their culture as part of their style, and Raja does it so beautifully and proudly. She understands that not only is she unique; she is needed. With a regal gold and white chair for her to sit upon, orange flowers adorning her microphone, and classic, Indian dance moves infused into her performance, Raja quickly set up that she is a queen.
Raja’s audience both adored and respected her. They were simultaneously entertained and in awe of how she struts through her set as if she is debating between doing a runway and running your over. Rapping from her newest EP Bloodline, Raja combines Punjabi, Hip Hop, humor, and sass. She sees lyrics like blades that could cut fruits to feed the people or cut tongues if they dared speak ill of her. The dynamic is enthralling, especially in a time when women are salivating for more songs that ignite us to kick ass. From “Karma” to “Shook,” my womanhood She-Hulked itself. I could have, easily, gone Black Widow on someone, and that is THE POINT! Raja is here to tell ladies they can defend themselves, and show that her culture is worth exalting.
Roots – DIVINE ft. Raja Kumari | Latest Hip Hop Song 2018
Vocally, Raja is like her personality; melodically rambunctious, quick-witted, and completely accessible. She brings to life the saying, “breathes fire,” by delivering her lyrics as if they are tanks of gasoline and her emotions are the matches. The result was a show that felt like a celebration. She looked at her crowd and her music with equal eagerness and reverence; as if to say, “I am not performing for you. I am arriving to you.” For more Information On Raja Kumari Click Here.
