Interview with Yasheelee Kalingamudali A Rapper in the Making

Yasheelee Kalingamudali, a twenty-three-year-old local rapper, recently announced her entrance to the music industry with a music video that hit home for rap lovers across Sri Lanka. In her cover of Godzilla by Eminem, she revealed her talent to the world, and was received by the locals with applause and encouragement. The young artist, brimming with passion and aspirations, seems all too ready to launch her music career.

The excerpts of the interview are as follows;
 

Q. You're a woman of many talents, following multiple interests. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I'm a Biomedical Science undergraduate, and I’m currently in my final semester. I’m also a small business owner of an online bakery named “Sugar Cakes.” Lastly, I’m a singer - more specifically, a rapper, who hopes to become an international recording artist.
 

Q. A career in music is a trek of its own. What led you to becoming a musician?

I was always so in love with music. Ever since I was a kid, I would listen to ABBA and dance around the house. Then I heard Eminem rap on the radio and I was hooked on rap and hip-hop ever since. I was in the junior and senior choir at Visakha Vidyalaya, so music has always been something I was very passionate about.

During 2020, amidst the early pandemic, I had the opportunity to be a featured artist in Ambroz's first album "Bring Me Some Kiribath.” It was then that I rediscovered my love for rap while trying to master the fastest verse in Eminem’s song Godzilla. Fast forward a year, my first cover and music video is out!
 

Q. Rap certainly has its own allure. What about the genre in particular lured you in?

It's the brutal honesty and lyrical genius that most rappers possess. The use of words to make beats, to use words as double entendres, and on top of that, to sing about such strong topics is mind-blowing to me. Being a kid from a small island that uses English as a second language, I learned many new words and pronunciation through rap.

Q. The talent in the music industry is vast, across any genre. Whom do you idolize?

I love musicians in all types of genres. Eminem, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Bazzi, Doja cat, Logic, Dua Lipa, NF and Bruno Mars, to name a few favorites. To me, it's not the genre; it's the feeling of emotion they can probe and evoke through music. How they express their emotions through the lyrics, the melody and the way they sing.
 

Q. Local talent is undoubtedly gaining more and more traction. What do you think of the local music scene, and do you follow any local artists?

Yes, I do! I'm a big fan of classical musicians like Pandith Amaradewa, Milton Mallawarachchi, Rukantha Gunathilaka and Nanda Malini to name a few. I'm also a fan of musicians of our generation like BNS, Sanuka, Umaria and Daddy.

I think the local music industry is definitely on the rise. There are so many budding young artists who are working so hard and are given more opportunities and more recognition thanks to the Internet. Hopefully, the Sri Lankan music industry will reach an international audience in the future.

Q. You've been featured on songs by Ambroz, a popular local musician. What did that experience entail?

I learnt that making music is not an easy feat! Many songs you hear probably took days, months or even sometimes years in the works to become perfect! Sitting down writing lyrics or coming up with a beat and melody is a lot of hard work. I'm truly in awe of lyricists, producers, and anyone involved in making music!

I learn something new every time I walk into the studio, especially with Ambroz, since he usually walks me through the process of each song. It's something to understand how producers come up with melodies and beats to fit a theme. He's also shown me and gotten my wheels turning into writing music. I hope to become better at it, with time.

Q. Every musician aspires to be unique. What do you suppose will set you apart from other musicians in due time?

How versatile I hope to be! I truly don't believe that musicians should be just focused on one genre. I love to rap and hope to come up with my music in due time, but I'd also love to be a singer. I believe my versatility also comes with the fact that I apply this to other aspects of my life as well. I don't want to be just one thing; I want to be a musician, a baker, an undergraduate, and so much more! I love the classics and music of our generation, and I hope I'll be able to become a musician who is fluent in all these genres and periods.
 

Q. Producing original music will be no easy feat. What direction do you suppose your music would take?

I hope to touch on important subjects such as equality, poverty and the likes of it, but I also hope to make some upbeat and feel-good tracks. It's going to be a balance!
 

Q. The music industry has its struggles, as any other. What have your experiences been so far, in regards to pushing certain barriers?

Being in a South Asian country, there will always be ideologies shown down by society, family, and friends on how and what a young woman should be. Women have always had to fight for equal ground on almost everything. The field of music and, more particularly, rap is one of them too. Trying to pursue or even put out a rap cover was challenging, but nothing good comes easily. But I'm positive that change will happen in the next decade, and I hope to be part of that change.
 

Q. You have a long journey ahead of you. What are your aspirations for your music career?

I aspire to be an international recording artist. To have music that reaches its listeners and to make music that means something to them.