Music
The Creative Questionnaire with Emiway Bantai, Mumbai rapper
Journalist Amit Gurbaxani speaks with Mumbai rapper Emiway Bantai, the artist with the fastest-growing fan base in Indian music, about his creative process.
12 min
The Mind Behind with Emiway Bantai
At a young age Emiway Bantai discovered Eminem and he knew who he wanted to be.
In this series of Q&As with people in the creative industry – including actors, artists, chefs, comedians, dancers, designers, filmmakers, musicians and writers – we gain insight into the practices and processes and obsessions and inspirations that shape their work and life.
We begin with the three subjects of Red Bull Media House’s cross-discipline video series called The Mind Behind. This interview focuses on Emiway Bantai, the Mumbai rapper whose fans have voted him the country’s Best Hip-Hop Act at the Radio City Freedom Awards for the last three consecutive years. (Other interviews are with Chef Thomas Zacharias and CS Santosh)
Emiway, born Bilal Mohammed Sheikh, is not only one of India’s most popular MCs – his tracks tally millions of views on streaming platforms – but also among the skilled, hailed for his distinct style and flow. Edited excerpts:
At what time of the day are you at your best?
The best time for me is at night. That’s when I’m most charged. At night, it’s more peaceful so that’s the most productive time for me to make music. But it’s not like I only work at night. I might be walking on the road during the day and feel inspired. Work is on 24/7. At night is when I record. We eat dinner and then I get to work.
Emiway Bantai says he is most productive at night
© Vaqaas Mansuri
What was the one song or album that changed your life?
‘Not Afraid’ by Eminem. After I heard it, I felt charged. Initially I didn’t understand all the lyrics. But Eminem’s flow and throw, and the song’s subject, all really inspired me. It had power. It had energy. I was in school when I first heard it. That’s when I started listening to rap. I heard all his and Lil Wayne’s tracks.
Who is your sounding board?
My parents and my crew, which includes Minta (who’s a Marathi rapper), Mohan (Shetty) and Sumit (Singh, who are part of my management team), music producers Flamboy and Tony James, (Hindi rapper) Thoratt, (music video director) Sam (Mohan) and my manager Kshitij (Nilkanth). After I finish a song, I make all of them listen to it. When I’m recording, they’re usually around. After each line, I check with them if it’s sounding good. They sometimes tell me if the pitch is a bit low. I take their suggestions.
Emiway bounces ideas and songs off his crew to perfect them
© Vaqaas Mansuri
Where do you get your best ideas?
I write anywhere and everywhere. I don’t need a table or light or even a pen and paper. I write lyrics on my mobile.
Whose brain would you love to pick?
I would love to meet Eminem. I want to ask him about how he makes music and his thought process.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
That happens often when I feel, “Fuck I can’t write.” I take a break. I hear some music or go out and meet a friend. I chill for a bit and then try again the next day. It’s best not to put too much pressure on yourself.
What do you do when you’re feeling overwhelmed?
I don’t take any stress. My boys and I, we’re in a chill zone 24/7. If anybody is stressed, we tell him to breathe. If we’re staying in a hotel, we get a massage or go for a swim.
Staying chill 24/7 is part of Emiway's secret to success
© Vaqaas Mansuri
When and how did you decide you wanted to do this for the rest of your life?
After I failed my twelfth standard. I was already doing pretty well with my music. I had recorded and released ‘Glint Lock’ on YouTube. My friends were surprised to see that this guy who is otherwise so quiet is rapping. They were like, “Shit!” The positive response motivated me.
What’s success for you?
I feel happy when I see that so many people come to see me perform. When I started out, only 20 people used to come to my shows. Nowadays, I get four million views in a day for a new video without pumping in any money. It’s all organic. That’s success not only for me but also for the whole Indian independent hip-hop scene. I’ve got a song coming out called ‘Safar’ that talks about this.
When will you feel that you’ve finally made it?
The day Eminem and I are on stage together in India.
Which memento from your career will you never discard?
My glasses. I don’t have a number. It’s been my signature look ever since the video for ‘F.O.U.R. Square’.
Click here to read the interview with Thomas Zacharias, the Chef of the Year from Conde Nast Traveller India magazine’s Top Restaurant Awards 2018.
Click here to read the interview with CS Santosh, the fastest Indian two-wheel rally racer.
