Prabh Deep
Prabh Deep | |
|---|---|
 Prabh Deep at SXSW Sydney, October 2024. | |
| Born | Prabhdeep Singh 26 December 1993 Tilak Nagar, Delhi, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | Azadi Records |
| Website | Prabh Deep Music |
Prabhdeep Singh, better known by his stage name, Prabh Deep, is an Indian rapper, songwriter and music producer. He gained recognition in the Indian music industry after the release of his debut album Class-Sikh which debuted at number 2 on iTunes India albums chart and quickly ranked up to number 1 by the end of the year.[1]
Early life
[edit]Prabh Deep was born in the West Delhi suburb of Tilak Nagar to a Sikh family. His mother, Jaswinder Kaur, was a small-scale businesswoman. His father, Manmohan Singh, had lost his father and four brothers during a killing spree by angry mobs during the 1984 riots in Nangloi Jat, and developed addictions while struggling with the post-traumatic stress. The family was, therefore, supported by the earnings through the hair salon run by Prabh Deep's mother.[2]
Prabh Deep decided to drop out of high school right before his 12th standard board examination on account of the pointlessness of the Indian education system. His mother supported his decision to quit school to build his own path in music.[3]
The increasing financial troubles of the family, as well as bullying in school, eventually got him involved in a street gang, partaking in streetfights, petty jobs such as selling second-hand phones and motorbikes at a mark-up and acting as a middleman for money lenders. Later on, he also had a short stint as a salesman at a garment shop and as a call centre executive for three years before pursuing a full-time career in music.[3]
Career
[edit]Around the summer of 2008, Prabh Deep and his childhood friend Happu witnessed a dance crew performing stunts in a park. Impressed by the urban dance form, he and Happu joined a hip-hop dance group in the neighbouring area of Vikaspuri and spent the next few years practising b-boying.[2][3] While continuing his jobs as a call centre executive and salesman, Prabh Deep maintained close contact with the Delhi hip-hop circuit while undergoing a slow transition from a dancer to an emcee.[4]
Through rapper Zan Twoshadez and hip-hop culture researcher Jaspal Singh, Prabh Deep was introduced to the open mic nights and similar events in Delhi that laid the foundation of his rapping career. In 2015, Prabh Deep connected with indie music producer Sez on the Beat on Facebook and began co-producing music. Sez signed him to the indie record Azadi Records.[4] The entire debut album of Class-Sikh was produced in Sez's home studio.[3]
Prabh Deep marked his entry in Bollywood with his song Sherni for Anurag Kashyap's 2018 drama Manmarziyaan.[5] He also wrote and performed the song Toofan Main for the original soundtrack of Amazon Prime crime series Paatal Lok.[6]
In 2019, Prabh Deep released his self-produced EP, K I N G.[7] 2021 marked the release of his sophomore album, Tabia. This became the first Indian hip hop album to be reviewed by Pitchfork.[8][9] In 2022, he released his third album, Bhram. 2023 marked the release of his collaborative EP with Raftaar, PRAA, as well as that of the deluxe version of Bhram.[10] He appeared on the 2023 season of Coke Studio Bharat with Taqdeer.
Artistry
[edit]Influences
[edit]Prabh Deep cites Eminem and Dr. Dre as his idols.[4]
Themes and genres
[edit]Prabh Deep is described as an innovative lyricist whose music has socially conscious origins. Throughout his album Class-Sikh, his music revolved around the hidden, grimy underbelly scenery of suburbs of Delhi.[3] For his album Class-Sikh, he picked up various bits and pieces from his personal experiences including the story of his childhood friend Abu's fall into drug addiction, crime and eventually murder. His music is described as slang-inflected with bits of Punjabi, Hindi and English.[11] His song Suno narrates the complex and unfortunate education system of India that leads to suicides and drug overdoses by the youth in India. He also discussed issues like 2019–2021 Jammu and Kashmir lockdown in Elaan, violence-instigating politics by the governments of global superpowers including the US and India in King and the violence and brutalities of the hidden underbelly of Delhi in Toofan Main.[12] Amar is an introspective track, with him talking about preparing for death and his soul's immortality through his art.[7] Chitta revolves around a character representing Prabh Deep himself, and his interactions in a world ruled by the corrupt, the wealthy and the powerful; as well as the deep-rooted problems in India's neighbourhoods.[13][14] His album Tabia explores the themes of self discovery, spiritual awakening, pride and humility.[15]
Discography
[edit]Film music
[edit]| Year | Film / Series | Song | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Manmarziyaan | Sherni | Prabh Deep |
| 2020 | Paatal Lok | Toofan Main | Prabh Deep & Sez on the Beat |
Albums and EPs
[edit]| Year | Album / EP | Track | Artist(s) | Produced by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Class-Sikh | Intro | Prabh Deep & Sez on the Beat | Sez on the Beat |
| Suno | ||||
| I don't Care | ||||
| Abu | ||||
| Click Clack | ||||
| Kal (Future) | ||||
| Kal | ||||
| G Maane | ||||
| Bullshit | ||||
| Murder | ||||
| Oye Oye | ||||
| Classsikh | ||||
| 2019 | K I N G | Maya | Prabh Deep ft. Archit Anand & Hashbass | Prabh Deep |
| Kala | Prabh Deep | |||
| Amar | ||||
| Khat | ||||
| Hira | ||||
| King | ||||
| 2021 | Tabia | Tabia | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep |
| Qafir | ||||
| Paapi | ||||
| Preet | Prabh Deep & Lambo Drive | |||
| Taqat | Prabh Deep & IDEK? | |||
| Alope | Prabh Deep ft. Zan Twoshadez | Prabh Deep, Tienas, RaySon4 7 & Zero Chill | ||
| Antar | Prabh Deep | Richard Craker | ||
| Abaad | Prabh Deep ft. SYPS | |||
| Qaabu | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep & Lambo Drive | ||
| Huqum | Richard Craker | |||
| Babur | ||||
| Waqaf | Prabh Deep | |||
| Gyani | Richard Craker | |||
| Sthir | Prabh Deep | |||
| Safar | ||||
| 2022 | Bhram | Paisa | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep |
| Shaurat | Prabh Deep & Lambo Drive | |||
| Rishte | Prabh Deep | |||
| Nafrat | Prabh Deep ft. SYPS | Prabh Deep & EMi EMi | ||
| Izzat | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep | ||
| Khayal | ||||
| Inayat | ||||
| Tajurba | Prabh Deep & Lambo Drive | |||
| 2023 | PRAA | ABBU | Raftaar & Prabh Deep | Tonybasu |
| BADNAAM | Lambo Drive | |||
| HELLO | Anywaywell | |||
| TRAP PRAA | Umair | |||
| Bhram (Deluxe) | Paisa | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep | |
| Sukoon | Prabh Deep ft. GD 47 & Encore ABJ | |||
| Shaurat | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep & Lambo Drive | ||
| Rishte | Prabh Deep | |||
| Nafrat | Prabh Deep ft. SYPS | Prabh Deep & EMi EMi | ||
| Izzat | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep | ||
| Samaaj | Prabh Deep ft. Ikka | |||
| Shaitaan | Prabh Deep ft. Calm | |||
| Khayal | Prabh Deep | |||
| Inayat | Prabh Deep ft. Ahmer | |||
| Sagar | Prabh Deep ft. Scuti | |||
| Tajurba | Prabh Deep ft. Raftaar | Prabh Deep, Baajewala & Lambo Drive | ||
| Wapas | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep | ||
| 2024 | KING Returns | Yaadan | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep |
| Babaji | Prabh Deep | |||
| Girgit | Prabh Deep | |||
| Daang | Prabh Deep | |||
| Ethe Rakh | Prabh Deep | |||
| Bachpan | Prabh Deep | |||
| DSP | Daang V1 | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep | |
| Ustaadi | Prabh Deep ft. Faris Shafi | Scuti | ||
| Zum!!! | Prabh Deep ft. Big Calo,SYPS | LLoke | ||
| 8-FIGGAAH! | Prabh Deep ft. GD47 | SYPS | ||
| O.T.M | Prabh Deep ft. Alistair Alvin,KAEM,Dhanji | Prabh Deep, Scuti | ||
| Rapha | Prabh Deep ft. Scuti | Scuti, SYPS | ||
| Wajood | Prabh Deep ft. Scuti | Scuti | ||
| Hood-Robin | Prabh Deep ft. Scuti | Scuti | ||
| Veer-G | Prabh Deep ft. Sickflip | Sickflip |
and collaborations
[edit]| Year | Track | Artist(s) | Produced by | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Chi Chi | Prabh Deep ft. MC Heam | ||
| Capital Punishment - New Delhi Cypher | Raga, Marco, KeepSake, KrazyClip, Slyck, Yungsta & Prabh Deep | Sez on the Beat | ||
| Feel Me | Prabh Deep | |||
| Time and Age | Slyck Twoshadez | Prabh Deep | ||
| 2016 | Forever Grateful | Slyck Twoshadez ft. Prabh Deep | From the mixtape "PharmaSlyck" by Slyck Twoshadez | |
| Loco | Prabh Deep & Calm | From the "New Delhi Mixtape - Khatarnaak" | ||
| Hip Hop Is A School | Prabh Deep & Sun-j (Agnastik) | |||
| Ilaka | MC Heam & Prabh Deep | |||
| 2017 | Classsikh Maut | Seedhe Maut, Prabh Deep & Sez on the Beat | Sez on the Beat | From the EP "2 Ka Pahada" by Seedhe Maut |
| Suede Gully | DIVINE, Prabh Deep, Khasi Bloodz & Madurai Souljour | Promotional song for Puma | ||
| 2018 | Class-Sikh Maut, Vol. II | Prabh Deep, Seedhe Maut & Sez on the Beat | Sez on the Beat | |
| Vekhi Ja | Prabh Deep & Sez on the Beat | |||
| Sauce | Prabh Deep, Sez on the Beat & Lit Happu | |||
| 2019 | K.O. | Prabh Deep & Sez on the Beat | ||
| Cyclone | Tienas & Prabh Deep | Harman | From the album "O" by Tienas | |
| Elaan | Ahmer, Sez on the Beat & Prabh Deep | Sez on the Beat | From the album "Little Kid, Big Dreams" by Ahmer & Sez on the Beat | |
| Coolie | Sarathy Korwar ft. Delhi Sultanate & Prabh Deep | From the album "More Arriving" by Sarathy Korwar | ||
| Only My Name | Smokey The Ghost ft. Prabh Deep | Sez on the Beat | ||
| Tofa | Prabh Deep | Prabh Deep | ||
| Fly | Prabh Deep | Featured in the compilation "Vibe Presents: Urban Asia, Vol. 3"[16] | ||
| 2020 | Pandemic | Prabh Deep | ||
| Chitta | Prabh Deep | |||
| Chitta (Remix) | Prabh Deep ft. Yung Raja | |||
| 2021 | Ateet | Prabh Deep | ||
| 2022 | Dosh | Prabh Deep | ||
| 2023 | Taqdeer | Prabh Deep, Rashmeet Kaur, Donn Bhat & Sakur Khan Sufi | Donn Bhat & Ankur Tewari | From "Coke Studio Bharat" |
| THAPPAD! | Prabh Deep | Fantom |
References
[edit]- ^ Karkare, Aakash (27 December 2017). "2017: The year when Indian hip-hop cemented its place on the music charts".
- ^ a b Kappal, Bhanuj (1 December 2017). "What makes Prabh Deep Indian rap's next big thing". GQ India. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Majumdar, Anushree (12 December 2017). "Good Kid in a Mad City: Meet Prabh Deep, a Delhi rapper who has taken the Indian hip-hop scene by storm". Indian Express. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ a b c Varma, Aditya (22 January 2018). "Prabh Deep and his musical tryst with West Delhi's ghettos". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ Ghosh, Devarsi (28 September 2018). "Amit Trivedi's 'Manmarziyaan' soundtrack has something for everyone". The Scroll. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Arora, Simran (29 May 2020). "Prabh Deep Decodes His Creative Process, His New EP & Working On Paatal Lok's 'Toofan Main'". MensXP. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ a b "On the Cover: Prabh Deep, India's Most Fearless Rapper". Rolling Stone India. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Prabh Deep: Tabia". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Prabh Deep's quantum leap forward". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ Britto, David (8 March 2023). "Prabh Deep Releases Deluxe Version of 'Bhram'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ Kappal, Bhanuj (30 November 2017). "New Delhi rapper Prabh Deep is becoming known for his socially conscious rhymes". The National News. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ Singh Grewal, Amolak (10 January 2021). "Prabh Deep, the Punjabi rapper Punjab doesn't know". The National News. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ "Prabh Deep: 'Chitta' is based on a character made up in my mind". www.radioandmusic.com. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ Paul, Sharmindrila (11 September 2020). "'Chitta': Prabh Deep's animated music video holds a mirror to drug abuse and power structures of the society". AnimationXpress. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ News9 Staff (30 December 2021). "Prabh Deep, Mali, Shantanu Pandit: The musicians who delivered 2021's best albums". NEWS9LIVE. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Hong Kong label b2 Music releases VIBE Presents: Urban Asia Vol 3". Mixmag Asia. Retrieved 6 July 2022.