From the classroom corners of Nagpur to the blazing lights of MTV Hustle, Naam Sujal’s story is anything but conventional. At just 19, he’s already carved a niche with his unfiltered lyrics, witty wordplay, and a vibe that screams authenticity. In this exclusive conversation with Pooja Kashyap, the young rapper opens up about his creative chaos, the reality of fame, and the fiery essence behind his upcoming mixtape “Ankurit Moong.”
MTV Hustle Experience
Pooja Kashyap: Hustle stage vs. bedroom mic — which one kept you more awake at night?
Naam Sujal: Definitely the Hustle stage. It came with an immense adrenaline rush and pressure. The bedroom mic is where you build your craft, but the Hustle stage is pure performance — and that’s what kept me awake.
Pooja Kashyap: Be honest — do shows like Hustle crown real rappers or just create prime-time characters?
Naam Sujal: I don’t see anything wrong with creating prime-time characters. Shows like Hustle do both — they crown real rappers and create characters. You need lyrical strength and authenticity to survive on that platform, but you also need to bring energy and a persona that connects with the audience. Hustle brought me national recognition — even my father acknowledged my career after it. For that, I’ll always respect the show.
Pooja Kashyap: Spill the tea — one “TV moment” from Hustle that still makes you laugh or cringe.
Naam Sujal: Oh, this one’s funny! During Dharmik Bhaiyya’s performance, he planned to crowd surf. Raftaar Sir lifted him and threw him into the crowd — but no one caught him! (Laughs) He didn’t fall hard, just slowly descended, but we were all laughing like crazy wondering what just happened.
Pooja Kashyap: Hustle aftermath — was it more “fan floods in the DMs” or “pressure piling on the shoulders”?
Naam Sujal: Definitely both. The fan DMs were overwhelming, but so was the pressure. Being 19, it’s hard to ignore expectations. I’ve learned to see pressure as a part of growth — if it disappears, it means you’ve stopped evolving.
Journey & Roots
Pooja Kashyap: From Nagpur streets to the national spotlight — what’s the origin story behind your rap persona?
Naam Sujal: I wouldn’t say my origin story is from the Nagpur streets; it’s more like Nagpur’s classrooms. The street scene doesn’t really define me. My journey began when my friends and I started singing songs by artists like Badshah, Aftab, and Emiway. That’s when we thought, “Okay, let’s create something of our own.” Initially, it was just a hobby, but then I discovered a deeper meaning in it — a way to pour my soul into music. So, it started with wanting to be cool in the classroom and evolved into something far more meaningful.
Pooja Kashyap: Your flow is anything but ordinary — did it come from the chaos of real life, late-night scribbles, or pure madness?
Naam Sujal: I’d say it’s a mix of all three. During the lockdown, there were nights I couldn’t write a single line, and other nights I’d complete an entire song. It was pure madness, and I believe that chaos contributed to my flow.
Pooja Kashyap: If your rap style had a Tinder bio, what would it say?
Naam Sujal: (Laughs) No answer for that one yet — maybe “Swipe right for bars and scars”?
Rap Culture: India vs Global
Pooja Kashyap: Indian rap beefs — lyrical duels or free PR campaigns?
Naam Sujal: Depends on the beef. Some are genuine lyrical duels, others are unnecessary PR stunts. Compared to the U.S. or U.K., India’s still limited by freedom of speech — so our rap beefs have their own constraints.
Pooja Kashyap: If the global hip-hop scene is a rap battle, where does India stand — warming up, mid-round, or dropping mic-worthy bars?
Naam Sujal: We’re still warming up. India’s talent is raw and powerful, but true mic-dropping bars will come when artists have full freedom to express themselves.
Pooja Kashyap: Dream collabs — one desi rapper and one global giant?
Naam Sujal: Divine and J. Cole. Easy choice.
Pooja Kashyap: AI in rap — future DJ or soulless ghostwriter?
Naam Sujal: Definitely a soulless ghostwriter. AI can’t replace emotion or soul. Just like calculators didn’t replace mathematicians, AI won’t replace artists.
Pooja Kashyap: Your tracks carry a Nagpur vibe — could this be the blueprint for a full “Nagpur rap movement”?
Naam Sujal: The Nagpur movement already exists — it was there before me and will continue after me. There’s hunger here, and I’ve just added to that fire. I wouldn’t call my sound the blueprint, but I’ve definitely inspired others to chase it harder.
Women in Rap
Pooja Kashyap: Why do you think India still hasn’t given female rappers the mic time they deserve?
Naam Sujal: India’s still developing socially. Female rappers face societal challenges before they even reach the mic. But the scene is changing — there are incredible women out there earning their space.
Pooja Kashyap: Name a female rapper — Indian or global — who could totally smoke the stage and inspire you.
Naam Sujal: Dochi, for sure. She’s fire and she inspires me immensely.
Pooja Kashyap: Drop one bar of advice for women breaking into rap.
Naam Sujal: Keep going. Be persistent and unapologetically yourself. You don’t have to please anyone — just bring your truth and let it roar.
Artistry & Vision — “Ankurit Moong”
Pooja Kashyap: Your lyrics sound like stories with beats — are you more of a poet who raps or a rapper who writes?
Naam Sujal: I’m both. Poetry and rap are two sides of the same coin for me. I love lyricism, but I also love punchlines that make people go, “Damn, I wish I wrote that!”
Pooja Kashyap: “Ankurit Moong” — the name is wild! Deep philosophy, inside joke, or healthy snack gone rogue?
Naam Sujal: (Laughs) Definitely a healthy snack gone rogue. It’s just a 19-year-old trying to prove himself and express his wild, rebellious energy.
Pooja Kashyap: What’s one ingredient in your music recipe that no other rapper can copy?
Naam Sujal: Authenticity. My story, my people, my city — that can’t be duplicated. “Ankurit Moong” itself represents growth — I’m just the seed; the journey’s only begun.
Pooja Kashyap: EPs, albums, collabs — what’s cooking in your studio right now?
Naam Sujal: The mixtape is cooking! It’ll be out in a few months. It’s mainly a solo project, though there’ll be some collaborations. I’m following a J. Cole-style approach — minimal features, maximum authenticity.
Fun & Personal Side
Pooja Kashyap: What’s one secret that would shock your fans more than a diss track drop?
Naam Sujal: My new sound itself! On Hustle, people saw a censored version of me. Now, I’m in my element — this is the real me.
Pooja Kashyap: Alternate universe — if you weren’t rapping, what would you be doing?
Naam Sujal: I was actually preparing for MBBS. If I’d answered just two more questions right in my NEET exam, I’d probably be in a medical college right now instead of this interview.
Pooja Kashyap: Rapid Fire:
- Dream stage: Coachella chaos
- Beef (the rap kind) or biryani (the real deal)? Biryani, always.
- Night-owl writing sessions or sunrise recordings? Night owl for now, but sunrise has my heart.
- One rapper you’d never dare to diss? J. Cole.
Pooja Kashyap: If your life were a Bollywood movie, what would the title be — and who’d play you?
Naam Sujal: I don’t watch much Bollywood, but if someone had to play me — it’s Aamir Khan, no doubt.
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