Growing up in Dharan, KAVI G always loved writing. It came naturally to him as he recalls writing poems as early as grade 3.
“I remember being weak in maths and art when I was young. All I wanted to do as a child was to read and write,” he says.
To improve his writing skills, he also participated in workshops organised by World Warriors, a platform for slam poetry. Through these workshops, he had the opportunity to learn from poets such as Ujjwala Maharjan, Rochak Dahal, and others.
Things then took a drastic turn in his life when he found out about Raw Barz, a rap battle show in 2013. There he saw rappers like Yama Buddha, Laure and Uniq Poet whose skills fascinated him.
“It made me want to understand about rap and hip-hop and get deep into it,” he says.
Fast forward a decade and KAVI G stands as one of the finest rappers in the Nepali hip-hop scene, popularly known as Nephop. He has come stride for stride and pushed himself to stand out in the Nephop industry which is slowly growing as he aspires to become the best rapper he can be.
Life of a Nepali poet
KAVI G’s prowess in lyricism, coupled with his unique approach of blending slam poetry with rap, sets him apart from numerous other rappers in Nepal. For enthusiasts of Nepali literature, KAVI G’s lyrics serve as a rich source of literary delight. His song Ma Badal Haru Ma Kaid Chu stands as a perfect testament to his artistry.
KAVI G does not think of songwriting as merely a random chore. For him, it is about expressing bottled-up feelings and penning down personal experiences. He draws inspiration from what has happened in his life along with what is happening in the society. Additionally, he also tries to incorporate a commercial approach in his writing.
“I believe songs that I have written based on personal experiences have been received well by the listeners in comparison to the abstract ones,” says KAVI G.
Each time KAVI G engages in writing a song, it provides him with a new experience, alternating between moments of enjoyment and challenges. In a conversation with Onlinekhabar, KAVI G recalled the emotionally challenging process of writing the song Rangin Battiharu.
During the creation of Rangi Battiharu, KAVI G had already established himself as a prominent figure in Nephop. Achieving this status was once a dream for him, making the process of writing this particular song especially significant and reflective of his journey.
The lyrics of the song go, [Mero geet haru bajairakh / Kam garchu harek bar / Testo dukha haru nalera / Dhanyabad j pairachu / Swagat cha j aairacha]. Through these lyrics, KAVI G seeks to convey his desire to spread happiness, express gratitude for his achievements as a rapper, and acknowledge the challenges he faces in his journey, turning them into opportunities for growth.
“Writing this song made me remember my past and struggles to become a rap artist and good writer,” says KAVI G.
Rap game
Over the years, this 24-year-old rapper from Dharan, east Nepal, has engaged in collaborations with various artists, including Yama Buddha, Laure, Uniq Poet, and others. He says that writing for collaborative projects demands a significant amount of effort.
“In solo writing, it’s just about me, but in collaboration, two different perspectives have to merge, and I have understood that I need to understand what the other artist wants and can offer,” he says.
Despite his success, KAVI G does not easily settle for his writing. Many times, he has found room for improvement in his lyrics. There have been instances where he regretted thinking about the lyrics of released songs.
“I still feel those songs could have been better if edited,” says KAVI G.
This is why he likes to spend time composing a song. Rather than finish it in a single day, KAVI G says he writes two or three lines a day and spends time refining them.
“I don’t know what goes on but sometimes I complete a song in less than an hour while some take over a month,” he says.
La Hai La Hai is a song that he says took around five months to write.
For KAVI G, writing is an art of self-reflection and believes that everyone should engage in writing.
“Writing allows an individual to realise their strength and weakness, a journey of self-realisation.”
Art of writing
So far, KAVI G has released three EPs and three mixtapes. Throughout the process of releasing songs, he has gained experience in both creative and commercial writing. He distinguishes between these two writing processes.
Creative lyric writing, according to him, is a passionate initiative that revolves around themes or contexts with deeper meanings. On the other hand, commercial writing is primarily focused on attracting an audience, employing basic writing techniques, and is often done with the intention of earning.
“I was never a commercial writer and I never wanted to be but I need to earn bread,” says KAVI G.
Writing and releasing songs have not only shaped KAVI G as an artist but have also allowed him to form emotional connections with various people. He has met many listeners who express gratitude for his music. One memorable encounter he had was with a person who, having experienced the loss of a brother, shared that KAVI G’s songs played a crucial role in helping him heal from the tragedy.
“It feels good when people say my music helps them. That is what an artist wants,” he says.
