Benn Ki Basti

BENN KI BASTI

Meet Gala & Divya Khivansara

Our topic was Talents Emerging from the Slums. The talent we chose to explore was rapping. Rappers in Mumbai emerge from various places, but most people come from slums. Benjamin Yangal famously known as MC Benn, born and brought up in Dharavi was our center of topic. Born into a Christian household, with 3 elder brothers, he comes from a middle-class family. The beats and rhymes of rap music called out to him, igniting a passion he never knew he had. At the age of 17, in 2015, he took his first steps into the world of hip-hop. It wasn't long before Yash Raj Films recognized his talent, offering him a role in " Hitchki " alongside Rani Mukherjee in 2017. He eventually dropped out from his 2nd year B. Com when he got the offer and due to that couldn't write his exams. He graces stages across the nation, delivering lyrics that resonates with fans. His debut rap, "Jawani Ka Josh" was a rap inspired from Dharavi, Mumbai and based on youth's fire. Few of his lines as say "jawani ka josh, na khoya tera hosh, bhulja saare galtiyon ko , beta tu nirdosh, aasan nai kisiko bhi shakal se jajna, bina tayari ke on the spot pe Nachna ,paise chori karke bate chor ko talashna, tb wale patient ko sau baar khasna".MC Benn has also been part of the 'Laakhon Mein Ek' web series as his debut on an OTT platform. His recent movie as an actor is "Toolsidas Junior" in which he has worked with 'Sanjay Dutt' which is available on Netflix. His latest web series is "Taaza Khabar" in which he has played a part of Lukka (The Bet Player) with 'Bhuvan Bham’. Doing ads for brands like Burger king, Mc Donald's, Unacademy got him more success.

When Benn was asked if he ever wanted to get out of Dharavi, he replied “all that I am today is because of Dharavi, and I take pride in it”. He raps in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Bhojpuri, giving him more opportunities. His forte is freestyle, where he enjoys doing that. In his free time, he teaches young children in Dharavi to rap. His love for oversized clothes and unique accessories became his signature style. He avoids promoting drugs or alcoholism and believes that if a child cannot hear it then it doesn't make any sense. Sundays for him are sacred, spent in church and with family.

Our initial thought of MC Benn was someone who might have attitude after gaining fame, but when we met him, he was the most down to earth person. He walked us through the gullies of Dharavi being the most patient guy and cooperated with us to get the shots. He is a very funny person and loves to dress himself in a funky way.

As we talk about rap, Mumbai boasts a vibrant and dynamic hip-hop scene. The city has emerged as a significant hub for rap culture in India. Rappers emerge from various backgrounds, including lower-income neighborhoods, middle-class families, and even affluent households. Some Mumbai rappers have achieved significant recognition and success on a national and even international scale. Artists like Divine, Naezy, and Emiway Bantai, among others, have garnered large fan bases and collaborations with established figures in the Indian music industry. While the scene is thriving, making a sustainable living solely through music remains a challenge for many independent rappers.

 During our interview and shoots, we came across a few challenges. Talking to people of Dharavi was a task. Clicking pictures there wasn’t allowed but we could click a few due to MC Benn. Overall, it was a great experience and we learnt and explored a lot.