Born and raised in the vibrant streets of Chennai, Paal Dabba is a recent Tamil rap sensation whose electrifying beats and lyrical prowess have ignited stages across the globe. He seamlessly blends traditional Tamil influences with modern hip-hop, creating a unique sonic identity. Headlining tours around Southeast Asia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Canada, and Europe, he sits down with us to talk about his journey so far.
1) Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you begin your journey into music?
I started my musical journey in 2017 after joining the Bfab dance crew. Ironically, I learned so much about music through dance. Then, during the pandemic, when we were all stuck at home, I got bored and decided to try writing songs. I found some beats on YouTube, wrote random lyrics, and shared them with my friends. Their support and feedback motivated me to create more. My first track, “3SHA,” received a lot of love when it dropped on YouTube, and after that, I just kept going—one song after another.
2) Where do you think Tamil Rap stands in the Indian and global market?
In the Indian market, Tamil rap is definitely starting to make some noise. I believe 2025 is going to be a big year for Tamil rappers—100%. On the global front, it will happen, but it might take more time. In the northern parts of India, there are many more rappers compared to the Tamil scene, where you can practically count us on one hand. So, to reach a global audience faster, we need more people to represent our culture and sound.
3) Tell us about your internet sensation – ‘Kaathu Mela.’
The first thing that comes to my mind is that I experienced some “new” in the sense, ive never seen anybody put it so many reels, stories, kids singing to Kaathu mela and people showing so much love to the song and appreciating me for creating this song was something ive never experienced before. Also, I enjoyed the whole process of making Kaathu Mela. The producer OfRo from chennai made the whole process of creating this song very easy and I never thought that Kaathu mela would turn out to be such a big hit. I’m very grateful for that.
4) Which bands/artists have influenced your music?
There are many, but some key names include Omah Lay, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Rema, Tems, and Yebba. I’m inspired not just by their songwriting or music but also by how they present themselves in videos, their fashion sense, and the overall vibe they bring.
5) What is your music – making and recording process like?
Usually, I start by looking for a beat that sparks my creativity. Once I find it, I begin writing and go with the flow. Sometimes, I do the reverse: I’ll jot down random lyrics or catchy lines that come to mind, create a melody around them, and then build a beat to match. One guiding principle is that I only write when I truly feel inspired. If the inspiration isn’t there, I won’t force it. This approach came from my dance background—my teacher always said to practice dance steps and wait for the inspiration before choreographing.
6) Why do you make music? What drives you as a musician and what are your songs about?
I make music because I absolutely love the process—it makes me happy and fulfilled. I also want to earn a living doing what I love so I can support my family and maintain a good financial status. My songs revolve around fun experiences, personal stories, memories with friends, and basically everything that’s a part of my life. If something interesting happens, it often ends up in a track.
7) Which Indian bands or artists do you admire and why?
I really admire Divine and MC Stan. Their music is inspiring, and beyond that, I love the way they present themselves and the stories they tell. They motivate me to keep honing my skills and keep that hunger for excitement alive.
8) What’s your take on the South Indian independent music scene?
I think Yogi B was the pioneer who introduced a New York–style hip-hop influence in India, especially in Tamil music. It didn’t gain a lot of momentum then, but now it’s coming back stronger than ever. By 2025, I believe the South Indian independent scene is going to explode in a major way.
9) Can you talk about some of your favorite collaborations with other artists?
I love the collaboration I did with OfRo because the process was so smooth—he really knows how to get the best work out of me. I also collaborated with Flame Boi on “170 cm.” We sat together at his place to capture the exact vibe I wanted, and he nailed it. Another collaboration was with my good friend Shiv Paul, a producer from Chennai who has a unique perspective on music production. Working with him was a fantastic experience because of his innovative approach.
10) What has been the most memorable experience from your tours around the world?
Hearing the crowd scream before I step on stage—that’s the most beautiful memory for me. It’s an indescribable feeling that reminds me why I do what I do.
11) What are your goals and aspirations for your music career in the coming years?
I want to experiment with different genres and push my music to a global audience. But most importantly, I want to have fun, stay happy, and keep my family and friends close as I grow.
12) What advice would you give to aspiring Tamil rappers?
Keep looking for inspiration and stay hungry for more. If you remain passionate and authentic, your music will speak for itself.
