Naezy AKA Naved Shaikh, is one of the desi rappers, who is revolutionising the rap scene in India. Naezy, short for ‘Naved is Crazy’, is one of the pioneers of Mumbai’s rap game, and in a Humans of Bombay post, he shares his story.

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Born and brought up in Kurla, Naezy’s family is full of academics, but he was ‘different’.

He would hustle hard to score money from anywhere, and had an ‘adventurous’ childhood. His mother took care of him as his father was in Dubai.

While he had to study B.Sc., he used that time to focus on hip-hop-

I changed schools & houses, but the streets never left me. I found my way back, through Hip-Hop. I loved writing, but hadn’t been introduced to ‘rap culture’ before, so I began researching. It was like a fire burned within me! 

Talking about the lack of opportunities for a ‘gully boy‘, he said instead of waiting around, he went ahead and recorded his first song, Aafat on an iPad and it went viral.

However, his family didn’t replicate the love he received from his audience. They were ‘furious’.

They’d never let me pursue rapping as a career–I received love & support from everyone except them. It was heartbreaking.

However, his song, ‘Mere Gully Mein’ changed the game, and Zoya Akhtar approached him for Gully Boy. 

He feels like all this success is stale without his parent’s love, although he’s hopeful that his parents will be moved to accept his career choice, one day.

Still, in that moment of joy, I felt heartbreak like never before because I couldn’t share it with my parents. All of this success is stale without their acceptance…without their love. I wish they could see how far I’ve come, but I won’t let this break me. I’ll keep trying…Apna Time Kabhi Toh Aayega!

Read the entire post here.

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“I was born & brought up in Kurla, an infamous area. My family was full of academics, but I was different. I had an ‘adventurous’ childhood–I’d spend all day with my friends doing the craziest things! I’d hustle hard to get money from anywhere possible–I’d search & sell unused things for cash! I never let my family see this side of me, but they realised what I was up to. My mom took care of us because my dad was in Dubai. She said the only way I’d improve was if I stayed away from my friends. I changed schools & houses, but the streets never left me. I found my way back, through Hip-Hop. I loved writing, but hadn’t been introduced to ‘rap culture’ before, so I began researching. It was like a fire burned within me! I had to study BSc, but I used that time to focus on Hip-Hop–I had so much to say; my songs were unsaid words from dusty street corners. But who’d give a ‘gully boy’ a break? I decided to wait for nobody & record my first song, ‘Aafat’ on an iPad–it went viral! People loved me! But when my family saw the video–they were furious. They’d never let me pursue rapping as a career–I recieved love & support from everyone except them. It was heartbreaking. Eventually, I got more offers, but kept missing out because of family restrictions. Just when I thought all was lost, I recorded ‘Mere Gully Mein’ & everything changed. That song was what made Zoya Akhtar approach Divine & I for Gully Boy. But not everything in it is true–there’s no ‘Saifeena’ & my dad doesn’t have 2 wives! But it showed the audience my roots; the reality of every street rat out there. Looking back, I can’t believe I’m here! There was a time when my friends & I’d bunk school to come to the Queen’s necklace & look for coins on the street to have kulfi. Today, I’ve performed at Wankhede & was given a hotel room overlooking the necklace! I was on top of the world! Still, in that moment of joy, I felt heartbreak like never before because I couldn’t share it with my parents. All of this success is stale without their acceptance…without their love. I wish they could see how far I’ve come, but I won’t let this break me. I’ll keep trying…Apna Time Kabhi Toh Aayega!”

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