Prabh Deep is a national treasure known as a disruptor in India’s music scene. The rapper, songwriter and music producer from New Delhi has touched millions of people in the South Asian diaspora with his honest, self-conscious music which is firmly rooted in the community. Born and brought up in Tilak Nagar, Prabh's music has painted vivid pictures of growing up in a locality that's still reeling from the fallout of the 1984 riots, the recent influx of drugs and guns in the community, his passing relationship with criminality and his personal account of dealing with losing friends and loved ones.
Since his debut album Class Sikh, this multi-faceted artist has evolved into a storytelling visionary in the industry. His single Chitta became a sensation in 2020. The powerful track and music video opened a window to the community's corrupt power structures and drug abuse problems while offering critical insight into the mental trappings of dealing with power and fame, and the effects of socio-political issues on an individual. After his EP, KING navigating perceptions of both self and society, which gifted us with the soulful, humanistic single Amar, and his genre-bending second studio album Tabia, an intimate journey of self-evolution through the metaphor of chess, he’s back with his latest project, Bhram.
Earlier this year the artist released two tracks, Paisa and Shauhrat from the album but soon removed them from all streaming platforms because of his dissatisfaction with the numbers and attention they received. Later in a tweet, he also apologised for his comments and paused the release of this album till the ‘right time’. The incident gathered mixed responses from his fans where some found the artist ‘entitled’ and others agreed that his experimental style is underappreciated because it doesn’t succumb to mainstream hip-hop music trends.
Releasing on the 4th of November, Bhram follows Prabh Deep’s signature introspective style bringing out prayers in reflection through poetry. Playing on Maslow’s theory of self-actualization, the album title translates to ‘misconception’ and signals breaking down perceptual illusions of oneself. A snippet of the track Wapas has already been released with a music video written and produced by the artist himself. Shot at an upward angle, it captures the singer’s silhouette standing among rocks in an interpretive performance asking himself questions as the voice of his fans and the doubts in his mind. With no drums, the lyrics float against the sound of strings elevating the entire message in a classical way.
Prabh Deep is a deeply loved musician. He has changed the intention and image of hip-hop recreating the revolutionary self-conscious approach Kid Cudi brought to the genre in the early 2000s. His music is made for the restless souls who cannot be confined in the boxes of society. Fans have confessed to overcoming tough times in their lives solely on the basis of his music. The artist has become the voice of the voiceless sharing a deep connection with his listeners that has made him an endeared icon and a friend. Weaving narratives of identity with culture, and presenting them with cutting-edge, symphonious melodies rooted in emotion, Prabh Deep is a philosopher and a musical genius raising the bar of India’s music scene.
Music Credits:
Written, Produced & Performed by Prabh Deep
Mixed by Prabh Deep
Mastered by Vivek Thomas
Video Credits:
Directed & Shot by Nirvair Singh
Assisted by Sohail Singh
Edit & Colour Grade by Prabh Deep
Styling by Prathiksha Shetty
Produced by Mo Joshi, Sheryl Monsy
Eyewear Courtesy Kabaadkhaana