Rapper EPR’s Song About Farmer Suicides Is Powerful Beyond Belief

Can music bring the change we need?

Up-and-coming rapper EPR has been using his music to make noise about things that he sees happen in the society.

(Photo: The Quint)

Up-and-coming rapper EPR has been using his music to make noise about things that he sees in the society, but doesn’t agree with. Recently, his song on the topic of farmer suicide went viral on social media, a powerful attack on the lax attitude of those in power, and the helplessness of those who feed us.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview:

Talk a little about your song. Why did you think you wanted to talk about farmers suicides?

I think whatever I wanted to talk about, I spoke through the song. If there’s anything new at all, I hope it’s not another suicide. I hope it’s not another devastating update in terms of news. Farmers’ Suicide has been one of the burning and unfortunately, quite less-spoken about issues in this country. From the statistics we have of last year, there are 10 suicide every single day on an average. The numbers are mind numbing. It literally freezes me to even look at it and see no steps being taken towards finding a solution to this issue.Worse, nobody is even raising this issue; as if it doesn’t matter anymore. Being a musician, being an artist - all I have is my words. My pen, my protest poetry, my flow. If I can spread awareness among the people through my craft, through my music - nothing better than that! When I have the capability, why wouldn’t I use that to do something that counts! It’s not a difficult decision to make, after all. All my life, through my music, I’ve spoken about things that demand attention, things that need to be heard. Farmers suicide is such an issue, and I believe it needs to be addressed.

Are you looking to make change with your music?

See, change is something that in inevitable. Something that has to come, and will come - someday either in the near future, or in the distant one. But one thing for sure, change has to take place. Because sooner or later, people will find out the loopholes and they’ll ask the valid questions, and when they don’t get justifying answers - they’ll rebel and revolt. I just wish to catalyse that process. I believe, art - as much as it represents a society, it shapes up the mind of a community as well. Art has some sort of responsibility towards moulding a better future for a nation. I’ve always been an artist who has solely believed in this, and I practice what I preach. I don’t expect that an era-altering change will happen overnight because of my music. But if I succeed to plant the seeds of revolution in people’s minds - the much awaited change will eventually follow.

What are the kind of topics we might hear you sing about?

I’ve always been pretty particular about the kind of music I want to do. I don’t fit in the box of commercial artists. I’m more of an offbeat musician. I don’t make music about what most of the mainstream musicians are doing. I work with socio-political, socio-economic, and relevant content. I curate content that has a cause and that needs to reach people. I cater content that are important to be heard and known about. I’ve dedicated 15 years of my career in music doing that, I think - you’ll be expecting more of that in coming days as well.

Do you think enough is being said and done about general peoples issues?

Honestly, nothing is enough until the proper justice is served. Nothing is enough until brave-hearts like Neha Shoree and Gauri Lankesh get the honour they truly deserve. The day another person who stands against the corruption or propaganda driven communalism doesn’t get killed for his/her courage to speak the truth - that day, it’ll be enough. The day we won’t hear about another Acid Attack in news updates - will be the day, when we’ll have done enough. The day farmers won’t commit suicide because they’re not being able to sustain themselves, and they’ll live a better life earning their livelihood - that day, it’ll be enough. Till that time, no matter how much we do - it’s not enough.