Loka Reclaims His Place with Cathartic ‘Loka Kaha Hai’ EP

Among the realest experiences in Indian hip-hop that came to the front this year was Mumbai rapper Loka’s arrest on charges of drug smuggling, eventually being granted bail and released in May this year.

He channels experiences – both negative and positive – on Side A of his new record Loka Kaha Hai. At the end of the six tracks, it’s evident that Loka, previously known for his 2020 album Autobiography, is closing a dark chapter of his life and moving forward with a hopeful mindset. Among all the struggles chronicled by real stories of Indian rappers in the years that desi hip-hop has thrived, Loka Kaha Hai perhaps marks an important milestone in artists who rise back from disturbing circumstances and take stock of their lives.

Produced with help from artists like CJ Chirag, Famboi, Babywxve and Madplug, Loka Kaha Hai also features a guest verse from rapper Official Bhagat and often places Loka’s mother at the center of his feelings. After this, Side B of the album is expected to kick off with a collab that Loka hints features a past collaborator. “Side A was dealing with a situation, Side B is also featuring the classic Loka vibes – hitting you with those ‘Shot Deke Gayab’ vibes, you know?” he says with a laugh.

In an interview with Rolling Stone India, Loka talks about the journey from getting out and what’s next. Excerpts:

Rolling Stone India: It feels like Loka Kaha Hai comes from a place of catharsis and vindication. What has it been like seeing fans waiting for your return and now supporting this project?

Loka: I appreciate the question, and I must express gratitude for the unwavering support I have received from my fans, family, and team. Their dedication, evident in following updates, sharing my music, and championing the #FreeLoka movement during my incarceration, is truly remarkable. They have been supporting the new music and the new album way stronger. Despite unwarranted criticism, my fans stood by me, perceiving my innocence during the trial. Their anticipation for my music has not gone unnoticed, and I assure them that my creative pursuits will continue fervently. In acknowledgment of their support, I am excited to unveil a special project for them in the near future. I feel profoundly blessed to be surrounded by such loyal supporters.

Were you writing when you were under arrest? I can imagine that there was an urge to write about what you were going through, but what was it like creating that filter to know what will make it into a song and what you can leave out? 

During my period of arrest, I initially grappled with a profound sense of shock, leading to a state of physical distress that impeded both my ability to eat and sleep. The harsh environment posed considerable challenges, and it took time to come to terms with the reality of my situation. As my body gradually acclimated to the circumstances, a plethora of thoughts began to occupy my mind. Subsequently, I channeled these reflections into the creation of music, resulting in compositions such as “Arthur Road,” “Mulaqaat,” and “Aaropi” from Loka Kaha Hai [Side A].

For me, these songs transcend mere musical expressions; they encapsulate my lived experiences and serve as a profound reflection of my journey. Each composition, akin to a chapter in a storybook, unveils a different emotion and allows me to convey my deepest sentiments. Through my music, I have sought to acknowledge and express gratitude for the unwavering support of the most important and genuine individuals in my life – a sentiment that resonates with my family, friends, and fans.

What was it like choosing to work with Chirag, Madplug, Famboi and Official Bhagat in terms of trusting them to understand what you were going for with this EP? 

Yo, these dudes are straight-up killing it! Big ups to CJ Chirag, Madplug, Babywxve, and Famboi – they’ve absolutely crushed this album. Talk about top-tier music production, and these young hustlers are owning it. I’m definitely gonna be vibing and collaborating with them more, always down to support the up-and-coming talent from our hood. Bhagat is my guy, that’s why we named the track with him “Gs” – just keeping it real, you know? And mad love to Kohar, the engineering maestro who blessed us with those killer mix and masters on the album. Shoutout to the whole squad!

A lot of people were pulling you down when you were in prison. Were some of them from the Indian hip-hop world itself? How did you deal with the criticism?

Honestly, when you hit rock bottom, all that hate just fades away. You start zoning in on the positive stuff. You notice and cherish the love people throw your way, and you feel this responsibility for the pain your loved ones might be dealing with because of you. All that negativity and criticism? It’s just a tiny blip on the radar for me. Doesn’t bother me one bit.

This is SIde A of the album. What can people expect from Side B and is it expected in 2024?

Absolutely, Side B is dropping real soon. Me, my manager Zain, and the whole squad at Obskur Talents, not to mention my partners at Believe Artist Services, we’re all locked and loaded. We’ve got a bunch of hits in the lineup, and honestly, our biggest headache right now is deciding which tracks make the cut for the album. Choosing what videos to shoot is a whole other challenge because every single song is fire. The album’s good to go, and we’re kicking off the rollout from January 2024.