Deciding to become a rapper was not a difficult decision for artiste Logeswara Rao, who is professionally known as CJL.
The 25-year-old started listening to rap and hip-hop music when he was just 11 years old thanks to his father, and almost immediately found it exciting.
The Skudai-born performer tells StarLifestyle that his interest in rap began when he listened to the 2006 album Vallavan by Yogi B and Natchatra, featuring the breakout song Madai Thiranthu which combines a classic Tamil song with rap music.
“That was the first time I decided to become a rapper, ” recalls CJL.
From that point onwards, he started to write his own lyrics and hone his rapping skills.
Today, CJL is a full fledged recording artiste, who recently released his debut single titled Lepak Mamak, featuring fellow singer-songwriter Santesh.
On the track, CJL can be heard rapping proficiently – and furiously – in Tamil.
He explains why he has chosen to rap in his mother tongue: “I’m most comfortable in what I’m trying to say through my lyrics in Tamil.”
CJL says while it's not difficult to rap in Tamil, it was tricky at first.
He adds: “When you’re rapping in Tamil the pronunciation is very important. There are a lot of tongue twisters in Tamil which you must be careful about when you’re rapping.
“It was tough initially. but I got the handle of it after few times.”
If it was CJL’s father who exposed him to Malaysian rap songs, it was a close family friend who encouraged him to realise his dream of becoming a rapper.
The latter, who's like a brother to CJL, insisted he join the TV Tamil rap competition Rap Porkaalam on Astro Ulagam last year.
“Joining Rap Porkalam was totally unplanned, ” CJL says.
“At first I didn’t want to take part because I wasn’t to ready to appear on television. I wasn’t ready at all.
“But my brother pushed me saying, ‘you need a breakthrough’.”
After three rounds of competition on the singing talent show, CJL proceeded to the final round where he performed in front of judges comprising Tamil hip-hop pioneer, Emcee Jesz, award-winning singer and producer Sasi the Don, as well as composer and producer Navin Navigator.
At the end of the competition, CJL was crowned champion of the first ever Malaysian Tamil rap competition.
With that, he secured a deal with Sony Music Malaysia to produce a single.
“Throughout my journey on Rap Porkalam, I learned a lot... like how to write better lyrics, perform in front of a large audience, about showmanship and more.”
Relatable to the younger audience
For his debut track Lepak Mamak, CJL sampled classical Indian instruments while ensuring the Malaysian touch is heard in the song as well.
CJL explains the track this way: “Lepak Mamak is a term we fondly use in Malaysia which refers to us hanging out or chilling at a Mamak restaurant. I wanted my song to be casual and relatable to the younger audiences.”
His family, he says, is naturally very happy with the release of his first single.
“I’m so lucky to have such a supportive family, ” CJL says with pride.
“My mother always told me I have to balance my studies and passion. She was very supportive of me then and she’s very supportive of me today.
“She never once discouraged me from pursuing my passion.
“I am grateful to my father for introducing me to Malaysian rap songs, and for always being there for me whenever I need moral support. And both my sisters are the best critics.”
Lepak Mamak is a certified hit for the young singer. The official music video has gotten 1.5million views on YouTube since its release on April 2.
Up next, CJL is hard at work on a new single.
“This time it will be a full rap song and it will be bilingual as well, ” is all that he would reveal at the moment.
Not surprisingly, when asked who are some of the artistes that have influenced his work, he names Yogi B and Natchatra first and foremost.
“I learned a lot from them and their music. Also, producers like Sonaone and Santesh, who influenced me to pursue a career in music.”
Working with his heroes
He remembers the exact moment when he knew that being a rapper was it for him: “When I first heard, ‘Kita berjaya jadikan rap sebagai kerjaya’ from Joe Flizzow’s Apa Khabar.
“That one particular line changed my view. I want to prove that we can actually make rap music as a career in Malaysia.”
As his musical career takes off, CJL hopes to work with his heroes Joe Flizzow and Sonaone as he is a big fan of their work.
He also discloses others in his wish list: “When it comes to international artistes, I hope I will get to work with composer Yuvan Shankar Raja (who has scored music for many Tamil films) and Anirudh Ravichander (composer and singer who mainly works in Tamil cinema). Hopefully it will happen one day.”
But for now, he is concentrating on building his portfolio.
“I would love to release an album soon, ” he shares. “I would like to come up with songs that would create awareness in our society.
“I also want to work with various artistes to build the unity in our industry and also for the culture.”
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