Q. Brief us about yourself. Ladakh is a small place where rap culture is new. How and when did you start writing and rapping?
I am Padma Ladol, a songwriter, composer, and rapper from Basgo village. My journey into rap began in 2018-19 when I first encountered the rap culture. I was introduced to Desi Hip-Hop, where artists expressed their thoughts, emotions, and messages through their music. This creative form of storytelling fascinated me, as it wasn’t confined to having a traditionally “good” voice or perfect tune.
Intrigued, I began exploring rap further by watching performances and doing cover songs. I also started writing and memorizing published lyrics, which I later performed and shared on social media.
As I gained confidence, people around me noticed my rhythm, flow, and breath control. Their encouragement motivated me to start writing my own songs and performing them. That’s how my journey as a rapper truly began.
Q. You often highlight social issues in your songs. How many songs have you written, and what causes have you addressed?
Honestly, I can’t write about something on the spur of the moment, which I consider one of my limitations. However, I prefer focusing on themes like environmental issues, social and political concerns, and youth-related challenges, such as unemployment.
To me, rap is a revolution—activism in action. It allows us to shine a light on ongoing social injustices, giving a voice to matters that need attention and presenting them to the world through music.
So far, I’ve written around 18-19 songs, though I’ve officially published only 4-5 on YouTube. I’ve also shared short songs and clips on Instagram. One of my notable works is a song I wrote and performed about the tragic incident at R.J. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, where a woman was raped. In addition to full-length songs, I frequently compose and share short pieces online.
Q. Ladakh is working hard to preserve traditional and folk songs and along with it Rap or Hip-Hop culture, which is Western, has been welcomed by society. What challenges do you and other rappers in Ladakh face in spreading awareness about this culture?
Rap is a non-violent medium through which social issues can be highlighted and brought to public attention, inspiring action. In Ladakh, I see the rap industry gradually evolving, with the potential to become a thriving and influential platform.
There are many talented young rappers in Ladakh, such as Lil Thun, No Chen, Deldan, Jigmet Mar-C, Tsedup, Buda-Gyatso, Togochey, and others. They possess remarkable skills in writing and composing songs that captivate audiences, often addressing social causes.
Hip-Hop is a broad cultural movement, and rap as a genre within it is gaining the attention it deserves globally. In Ladakh, it has become extremely popular among the youth, who are well aware of its potential. However, it still faces resistance from older generations, who often dismiss it as mere entertainment or a “time pass,” finding it unconventional and strange.
I believe this perception will change over time as rap earns recognition and appreciation. I see a bright future for rap in Ladakh’s society. I hope that social and governmental organizations will begin treating rap and the rapper community on par with other art forms. Traditional arts often have organized groups, and they perform at festivals and concerts. I hope that rap will soon be given similar platforms, acknowledging its significance and contribution to cultural expression.
Q. Has the government taken any initiatives to recognize rap culture and provide platforms to showcase talent?
As an individual, I’ve had the opportunity to perform on several occasions. One notable experience was performing on Women’s Day, an event organized by the Social and Tribal Welfare Department. My performance was personally appreciated by many women officers and members of the audience, which was very encouraging.
However, there hasn’t been any specific initiative from the government to support or promote the entire rapper community in Ladakh. We remain hopeful that, in the future, platforms will be created where rappers can formally showcase their talent and contribute to the cultural landscape of the region.
Q. How do you see the future of rap culture in Ladakh?
Rap culture is rapidly growing across the country. Reality shows like MTV’s Hustle are dedicated to discovering and showcasing rapper talent. Rap is now being integrated into various creative fields, including web series, movies, advertisements, and OTT platforms. Observing this national progress, it’s clear that rap has the potential to thrive in Ladakh as well in the coming years.
Recently, Ladakh’s rapper community collaborated with Acoustive-Ladakh to organize a concert, allowing all rappers to perform. Unfortunately, the event faced challenges due to an electrical malfunction and was not as successful as we had hoped.
Despite this setback, we are optimistic about organizing more concerts in the future. These events aim to spread awareness of rap culture while attracting a larger audience. With persistence and support, I believe rap will secure a significant place in Ladakh’s evolving cultural landscape.
Message to the reader
“To all talented youths: step out and showcase your skills! The internet offers endless opportunities—shares your work and let the world see it. If routine jobs don’t excite you, explore the arts. It’s a fulfilling path with great potential for success.”
