Brodha V (born 27 March 1990), whose real name is Vighnesh Shivanand, is an Indian rapper, music producer and songwriter from Bengaluru. One of the first Indian rappers to build an audience rapping mainly in English, he is known for weaving Carnatic melodies and Sanskrit devotional chants into hip-hop. His 2012 single “Aathma Raama” is regarded as a landmark of independent Indian hip-hop.
Quick Facts
| Real name | Vighnesh Shivanand |
| Born | 27 March 1990, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Age | 36 |
| Occupation | Rapper, music producer, songwriter |
| Based in | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Genre | Hip-hop |
| Languages | English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | “Aathma Raama”, “Aigiri Nandini”, “Vainko” |
Early Life
Vighnesh was born in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and grew up in Bengaluru. He began rapping at about 18 after discovering American hip-hop, especially Eminem, and sharpened his skills in rap battles on the social network Orkut. The name “Brodha V” was given to him by friends, combining “brother” with the first letter of his name.
Career
With the rappers Smokey the Ghost and Bigg Nikk he formed the trio Machas With Attitude, whose name played on the American group N.W.A. They became known on the Bengaluru club circuit and were hired by film composers; Brodha V rapped on the song “Ready Steady Po” in the Shah Rukh Khan film Chennai Express (2013), with music by Vishal–Shekhar.
His solo single “Aathma Raama” set verses about his own struggles and doubts against a chorus taken from a Sanskrit hymn to Rama. Made on a small budget, it spread widely online and showed that Indian rap in English could carry an Indian identity. He followed it with “After Party”, “Indian Flava” and the mixtape Deathpunch.
Brodha V signed with Sony Music India in 2013 and released the single “Aigiri Nandini” (2014), built around a hymn to the goddess Durga. He later left the label, saying he wanted control over his own releases, and has since put out music independently, including “Let Em Talk”, “Way Too Easy”, “Vainko” (2019), which borrowed from Tamil folk music, and “Flex”. He also produces his own tracks and composes for advertisements.
Style
Brodha V is known for fast, technically complex flows and for choruses drawn from Carnatic ragas and bhajans. He has said that as a boy from a traditional South Indian home he wanted his rap to sound like where he came from.
Popular Songs
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Brodha V born?
Brodha V was born on 27 March 1990 in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India and is 36 years old.
What is Brodha V known for?
Known for: “Aathma Raama”, “Aigiri Nandini”, “Vainko”.
Featured image: The rapper Brodha V in a promotional photograph. Photo by Nramesh, licensed under CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
