Hip Hop music lovers here’s a treat for you. Popularly known by his stage name URL- Earl Edgar, an Indian-Bahraini singer, performer, rapper, music composer and producer is back with his music for the series ‘Gabru’ recently launched on Discovery Jeet, the first Hindi general entertainment channel. The series of 35 episodes revolves around the Rap & Hip Hop revolution that has taken India by storm.

Composing comes naturally to Earl, he creates a different yet commercial sound production besides his simple “hindesh” lines and ‘verses’ to entice the listener which even gets them to groove along. He is known for phrases like ‘Magical India ‘outaf a hat, Desi style yaara , is where we are at”, ‘Feel the dholbajao baby” for High School Musical 2, and the most famous Marathi Rap “Jithe mi jaate tithe tudiste, Hawaattujhesugandhpasarte , Manaat  tumajhyadhyanaattu , Charodishaanattuhichtu” for Nana Chi Tang from the film KhaataMeetha are just a few of his innovative creations. He has also made raps and been voice-over artist for Ads & Jingles for brands like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Parry’s Butterscotch, Kenstar, Kelvinator, Pepsi, MTV and much more. He is known for his ability to create music, and perform with a variety of vocal abilities besides performing on the piano, guitar harmonica drums & percussions. This niche quality gives him a strong standing in the Bollywood, Tollywood and Hollywood music scenes.

Earl’s inclination towards music began at an early age, he started an institute called “scherzando” that enabled kids to learn and perform on stage. He was 19 then, Earl hosted shows with these students and big names like “Mitsubhishi” launched the same. He has also worked as a full time music teacher along with this in renowned school like Xavier group of school, Ashoka Academy & Jamnabai Narsee Monjee,Mumbai.

In a chat with Verus Ferreira he pours out what Gabru really is.

There are times when you think about the hip hop music or the types of Hindi pop music that is happening today in our country; it can’t be termed as a trend being followed but it becomes more like a formula where every song starts sounding the same. That’s when I was excited to make music for the series ‘Gabru’ that represents the hip hop stars and the journey of different people from different parts of the country on its way to become a hip hop sensation. Every song in this series has a different feel and it has nothing to do with any other song. So, to both make a song that sounds like “everyone’s favorite” yet adding musical value and have people grooving or rapping to it was a challenge. With ‘Gabru’ I hope people feel the vibe – The Hip Hop Sensation.

Been in the Bollywood music industry for 20 years, I have always been on a receiving end. I have made more friends than colleagues who stood by me during my thick and thin. Pritam, Salim Sulaiman, Ram Sampat & Anu malik have been my mentors in this journey. Post 2015 – 2016, due to an unfortunate ligament tear, i had to take voluntary break from performing. However, now i am hale & hearty; back to my driving force of life- composing, producing & programming. My brothers, The Meetbros have been my great support all throughout.

I have just tried to keep the script in perspective and composed the music and also have the Discovery Channel and Still & Still Media Production House hound me (laughs). All i can say is that this project has brought out the best. Life of an artist with diverse cultures, genres of music and the evolution of hip hop in this country has been my guiding light. I still remember when i sang and composed for “Your my love, my love Janeja; you’re my love” from the movie Partner, that was the start of elements of SWAG that grooved this nation. I am glad that this opportunity happened to me to make something that I have always wanted to or maybe it could have been better or maybe not.

Well, honestly, all the songs are my personal favorites. For instance ,the lyrics for “Paiydashi Lukhe” has a juxtaposition attitude to it. It has always been great interacting with kids right from the time I taught music in schools .Infact after composing the refrain/chorus of the song ,i thought why not have kids sing it. The melody was the right key and that was it. Babli’s lyrics nailed it and Aishwarya programing hailed it & then all it needed was my rhythm score and wallah! Rapper-Kidshot’s lyrics spits emotions and Rapper-Chaitanya spits fire. It’s one amalgamation of EPIC sound.

Many ask me about the funny words in the songs. Actually it was like “Hum hai Queen B” to “Mein jaise queen b” and phonetically finally to “m aassa queen b”. Anything & everything that keeps anybody hooked to the song is sound… “ishhyooboi…” or “jaanejayour ma lova”are nice circle sounds. If that could mean anything to me it does; it could even be gibberish but eventually has a catchy tune and rhythm that keeps you hooked to it.

The credit for this work would be myself (laughs). This wouldn’t have been possible without my entire music team. Some of whom i had to search just for this project and for some a first time experience, yet some with the flare and passion. Abhishekacon, Deane, Kauratan, Chitanya ,Kidshot , Babli, Kish, Kushal, Chester, Sarabjeet, Uddipan, Aishwarya and my buddies from Raaga Tripin

Anand Tiwari, the director, enduring all of it, thank god we had him on our side with Dimple & Lara and the bunch from the production house at Still and still Media. From the Discovery Channel, Karan and Sameer, for their vision and Pragati and Monisha, for their patience and special thanks to Prateek and Rhea.