Dr Rajkumar’s 1978 Song Gets Hip-Hop Twist, Crosses Million YouTube Views

‘If You Come Today 2.0’, a revised version of Dr. Rajkumar’s 1978 song, has recently crossed a million views on YouTube. The new release brings the song back in a regional pop format through a collaboration between Bengaluru-based rapper Karthik Gubbi, Nandith Jaisimha of Studio 080 and Saregama Kannada.

From a 1978 film to a new pop version

The original song was sung by Dr. Rajkumar and featured in the thriller film Operation Diamond Racket, released in 1978. It was composed by GK Venkatesh. The song is considered to be the first-ever English song in a Kannada film.

After 48 years, Gubbi and his collaborators have presented the song in a new form while retaining its connection to the original. Gubbi described the project as an extension of the existing song and a tribute to its ideation. “This one is for the people; it is an extension of the existing song and a tribute to its ideation,” says Gubbi.

The revised version was released on October 8. Its sampling and composition were handled by SYNKFLO production, which blended traditional Indian music with electronic grooves.

A bilingual rap number with a film connection

The video follows the plot of Operation Diamond Racket. The song is a bilingual rap number in English and Kannada, with lyrics written by Gubbi after he listened to the original version multiple times.

Gubbi and his team then moved towards making a pop song instead of following his usual rap style. The choice gives the new version a different musical direction while keeping its foundation in the older song.

The video stars Gubbi alongside actress Nithya Shri. Members of the OGX crew play diamond robbers in the video. Niranjan Kumar directed the visual execution.

The project is the second collaboration between Gubbi and Nandith. Their earlier collaboration was ‘Yerd Plate Dose’, a Kannada rap song released earlier this year.

Sampling the original for hip-hop

Gubbi explained how the song was adapted for the new arrangement. “We take segments of the original song which can be used in loops, and add beats on top of it. The final touch includes adding the rap over it.”

Saregama, the music company involved in the project, gave the artistes creative freedom to present the song in their own style. The artistes believe that this freedom resulted in a successful track.

The new version draws on more than one contemporary influence. “World hip-hop is gravitating towards melody. That is what we have incorporated into this song; most of it is in reggaeton, while the hook is disco.”

Nandith has been closely associated with Bengaluru’s hip-hop revival movement. He believes that present-day resources and venue choices have created many opportunities for independent artistes. “Right now, hip-hop is at its peak and has made a comeback with more people accepting it.”

Gubbi has also rapped for south Indian films, including Old Monk and Dear Comrade in Kannada, and for the Oke Oka Jeevitham teaser. If You Come Today 2.0 was released by Saregama Kannada.

Source: The Hindu