DJ Proof on How Hip-Hop in India Has Evolved, Being Part of Gully Gang Entertainment and More
The artist also talks about his ‘Uncensored Mixtape’ and future plans
DJ Proof. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Last November, Vinayak Pasula aka DJ Proof along with a host of other artists performed at Rolling Stone India’s Hennessy Freestyle Concert in Mumbai. He recalls the event and says, “It was one of the best shows for me in 2022 and it was solely focused on Indian hip-hop. Artists from different cities were on top of their game and gave their best and the crowd loved it and the energy was crazy. Can’t wait to be part of another edition.”
In this interview with Rolling Stone India, DJ Proof talks about how Indian hip-hop has developed since he’s been part of it, his own music and what’s in store next.
You’ve been a DJ since 2010, what has changed and what has stayed the same according to you since you first began?
[There’s been] lots of change since 2010. Back in the day there were few hip-hop gigs that used to happen and hip-hop was limited to small rooms or small clubs but now we have hip-hop as headliners at festivals and clubs have dedicated hip-hop nights every week. Plus, the audience are up to date with new releases so if you drop a new track which released recently they are aware of it.
What can you tell us about the ‘Uncensored Mixtape’ you released with DJ SA in 2018 and the reception it received?
So there is a very respected mixtape website called Livemixtapes.com. We were very good friends with the guy who owns that website and he is also of Indian descent, so DJ Sa and I pitched him to release the mixtape on their website. We asked the fellow Indian hip-hop artists to re-release their tracks on that platform and at the same time we also got an exclusive remix of Divine’s cover of ‘Gucci Gang’ which had Shah Rule on it which also served as the title track for the mixtape and reception was great from both Indian listeners and listeners from the U.S.
Since 2019 you’ve been part of DIVINE’s Gully Gang Entertainment, what’s it been like for you to be part of the label and what opportunities have come your way since signing on?
After signing with Gully Gang I have got more opportunities to play in more cities apart from Mumbai and also an opportunity to play for Sole DXB in 2019 with Divine. I’ve also been part of multiple cities for Divine’s tour of Punya Paap and Gunehgaar.
Q: What’s coming up for you next?
Apart from touring I am also currently focusing on building my solo club IP Crew Love and take it to different cities and give them audio and visual experiences which are different from my regular shows.
