As the cliché goes, you can love him or hate him, but you can never ignore Badshah. There’s a certain flair one associates with Badshah, one of the biggest popstars India has produced and arguably, the country’s most popular rapper. When he strikes a pose in front of the camera for Travel+Leisure India & South Asia’s digital cover shoot, one wonders if Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia was born stylish or did the transformation happen when he took on the stage name Badshah. “The style was always there,” says the music titan, who belongs to a middle-class Punjabi family from Delhi. Citing an instance, Badshah recalls how he used to wear socks on top of his shoes when he used to go for basketball practice. “It’s another thing that they would get torn by the end but I just loved the aesthetic of it,” he smiles. Today, the multitalented musician, who tours the world, is on a roll with his latest album Ek Tha Raja.
Considered one of the most influential personalities in the South Asian music landscape, Badshah towers over many with more than 50 million followers across platforms. Remember Saturday, Saturday? Well, the 2012 sleeper hit was just the beginning for this creative powerhouse who went on to deliver one blockbuster track after another, scaling global charts on the way. This year, Badshah released his third studio album Ek Tha Raja for which he collaborated with some of the biggest contemporary artists such as Karan Aujla, DIVINE and Raftaar.
In a freewheeling chat post the shoot, the ace rapper sat down to discuss his most recent album, which includes a voiceover by actor Shah Rukh Khan; the joy of selling out shows in Wembley during his UK tour last year; the influence of travel on his music and the places on his bucket list.
I started conceptualising it last year during the winters in my studio in Chandigarh. I went live with a few snippets – just to test them out – and they blew up. That’s when I thought I need to come out with a full-fledged album.
Albums are supposed to have a theme but in Ek Tha Raja, the songs are very different from each other. The only theme, so to speak, was my collaborations with my friends, some new artists and some artists that I really look up to. I just wanted to make a statement with the songs, artists, presentation, visuals, name, trailer…everything. Just to let everyone know who the raja (king) is.
I would have loved to have Diljit paaji (Dosanjh) but there were some deadlines issues. Whenever I collaborate with an artist, I really want to get in their space and test myself as a writer and musician to see where I stand. It’s a great way to put yourself to test. Also, just the fact that I get to say that I’m the one who put Arijit Singh and MC Stan on the same album (laughs).
It feels surreal to think about how I approached him and it just fell into place. I called his manager and asked if sir would voice the trailer for me. When she got to know the release is the next day, she told me I am crazy! (laughs) I told her I am ready to delay the release if he agrees to do it. Within two days, I received a half-an-hour long audio file with his voice in it with all the lines. At the end, he even asked me if I need anything else.
In my mind, we are a force to reckon with already. My key takeaway is that there’s no stopping us now.
Also, travelling is the greatest education for me as it prepares you for anything in life. You meet different people, experience scenarios, situations and emotions; it just helps you evolve. It widens your thought process.
I don’t step outside to chill or hang out. Whenever I do, I don’t find my kind of place, comfort or food. So I wanted to build a place where people can chill and enjoy the food that I like eating. Also, I love to host people and feed them.
Russia has influenced me a lot. The single Daaku reminds of Russian mafia sounds. Moscow’s architecture has influenced my sound and my outlook towards writing.
The Middle East, Kolkata, and Rajasthan are some of the other places that have influenced me. I get inspired by places that have a rich culture.
Coldplay’s Ghost Stories is my favourite album of all time. I play it when I want peace or if I’m feeling anxious.
Otherwise, I listen to everything when I am travelling. It could be African, Latin American, Rajasthani, Tamil, Nepali.
I have a great time whenever I travel with my cousins. Those are the best holidays. Every year, we try and go to the Maldives. I’ve also had some memorable holidays with them in Himachal Pradesh.
I love going to the best restaurants and staying in the best hotels. I like to live lavishly when I am travelling.
A lot of people, including my sister, have been telling me to go to Japan. She’s my guide to some of the best food and places.
I also want to go on a safari in Africa.
The mood is to unwind. I’m learning dance. I’m building my body. I want to finish the house that I started building in Chandigarh.
Related: Vedang Raina Finds Travel An Extremely Enriching Experience
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