Lady Kash
Kalaivani Nagaraj, known professionally as Lady Kash,[1] is a rapper/songwriter from Singapore who started her solo career professionally in 2007. Rapping fluently in English and Tamil, Lady Kash has worked with music composers including A. R. Rahman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, and Anirudh Ravichander. She launched her own company/label AKASHIK in 2013 and continues to beat out independent hip-hop music and videos, alongside working on film soundtracks occasionally. She has performed in various concerts around the globe including Switzerland, UK, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Dubai and India.[2] In 2021, she was a participant in reality show by TV Network Zee Tamil and producers Banijay Asia, filmed and relayed from Tanzania, East Africa. In the final stage, she was forced to take a decision to exit, putting her health first as the makers of the show did not allow her equal time to rest as they did for other participants. She was instead told to continue participation as the test read negative, despite the COVID symptoms she had possessed for days.[3]
Lady Kash | |
|---|---|
 Lady Kash is a rapper and songwriter from Singapore. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kalaivani Nagaraj |
| Born | c. 1990 |
| Origin | Singapore |
| Genres | Hip Hop, Pop, Film Soundtrack |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, Songwriter, Creative Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2007 – present |
| Labels | AKASHIK |
| Website | www.ladykashonline.com |
History
Kalaivani Nagaraj also known as Lady Kash was born to Tamil parents in Singapore. In school, she excelled in Languages and Arts.
Career
Lady Kash began her journey in the music/entertainment industry professionally in 2007.
She has worked with several music composers including the Oscar and Grammy Winning A. R. Rahman, Anirudh Ravichander, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Santhosh Narayanan and Harris Jayaraj to name some. In 2010, she wrote and recorded with A. R. Rahman in the debut soundtrack "Irumbile Oru Irudhaiyam" for the blockbuster movie Enthiran starring superstar Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai. The song went on to become the first Tamil soundtrack album to enter and top iTunes US/UK Charts.[4]
In the anthem for World Classical Tamil Conference 2010, "Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam",[5] she became the youngest and the only female rapper to record for what became the modern-day anthem of the Tamizh language.
The original version of "Oh Penne" by Lady Kash and Anirudh Ravichander which has over 3 million views to date, was originally intended for the film Vanakkam Chennai but was not able to be recorded on time for the soundtrack album, due to schedule. It was hence released as a bonus on YouTube on 17 October 2013 by her label AKASHIK in association with Sony Music India.
In January 2014, Lady Kash made her debut in Bollywood by writing and recording for the soundtrack "Wanna Mashup" composed by A. R. Rahman for the film Highway. The film directed by Imtiaz Ali starred Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda.[6]
July 2016 saw two prominent back-to-back releases for Lady Kash. The first being "Naam Hai Futsal" - the official Premier Futsal anthem composed by A. R. Rahman with vocals by A. R. R himself, Virat Kohli, Lady Kash and Karthik. The second, her rendition of Kabali's "Neruppu Da" which went viral amassing over 1 million views in two weeks was released on 14 July. The track was powered by AKASHIK in conjunction with Think Music India.[7]
On A. R. Rahman's 50th Birthday in 2017, Lady Kash released a one take video for a medley titled "Rap Smash" which featured popular rap hits from the composer. She also released a rework of Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" in support of the #MeToo movement. Currently focusing on original music, the rapper has been putting out singles which includes "I Told You So" in February 2018 and "Villupaattu" on 29 March which is also her birthday. The song was dedicated to the elderly dancer Poongani and Lady Kash went to see her.[8]
Lady Kash was a participant in Survivor reality show by Zee Tamil in 2021. She left the show after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 but tested negative.[9]
Awards
In conjunction with International Women's Day 2013, an organization named Raindrops recognized women achievers across genres and Lady Kash was bestowed the International Female Rapper (Tamil & English) Award. She also received the Social Media Music Champion award at Voice International Music Awards (VIMA) 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia earlier in 2013. Kash has also been awarded the Best Genre-Bender award at VIMA 2014 for her track with Anirudh Ravichander, "Oh Penne".
Performances
She has performed in various concerts around the globe including Switzerland, Canada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Dubai and India. In 2014's Infinite Love concert tour by Oscar Winner A. R. Rahman, she also performed the cult hit "Irumbile Oru Irudhaiyam" with the man himself. Her more recent performances include "Rap War" at A. R. Rahman's Nenje Ezhu concert tour series (Chennai, Coimbatore & Madurai) in 2016, "Rap War 2.0" at A. R. Rahman Live in Dubai 2017 and Canada's desiFEST 2017. She also performed twice with Anirudh Ravichander during his first concert in Singapore in 2014 and the 2016 edition.[10] Known to support charity concerts, Lady Kash has always actively participated in social causes and believes in giving back.
Duo (Disbanded)
In 2008, she had established the rapper-singer duo Lady Kash and Krissy who went on to debut alongside In late 2012, Lady Kash returned to being a solo act and disbanded the duo on mutual terms.
Selected discography
Originals
| Record | Category | Track Language | Original Artiste | Lyrics | Music Composer | Additional Vocals | Mix | Master | Format | Label | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villupaattu | Original | Tamil/English | Lady Kash | Lady Kash | Balamurali Balu | V.M. Mahalingam | Sunny M.R. - Mumbai, India | Sunny M.R. - Mumbai, India | Digital Download | AKASHIK | 29 March 2018 | Bilingual hip-hop/rap single which was a BBC Asian Network exclusive worldwide premiere on 25 March 2018 |
| I Told You So | Original | English | Lady Kash | Lady Kash | Steve Cliff Valentine, Kirishan Suresh | Divya Vivekanandan | Studio Fourteen - Toronto, Canada | Studio Fourteen - Toronto, Canada | Digital Download | Akashik | 22 February 2018 | Hiphop/rap single with music video released on 27 March 2018 |
Soundtracks & projects
| Record | Category | Movie | Track Language | co-Singer(s) | Lyrics | Music Composer | Label | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thala Keezha | Soundtrack | Coffee with Kadhal (Tamil) | Tamil | Nithyashree Venkataramanan | Snehan | Yuvan Shankar Raja | U1 Records | 11 October 2022 | |
| OMG Daddy | Soundtrack | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (Telugu) | Telugu/English | Rahul Sipligunj, Roll Rida, Blaaze, Rahul Nambiar | Krishna Chaitanya | S. Thaman | Aditya Music | 23 February 2020 (music video) | |
| Enga Kayila Natta Kudunga | Soundtrack | Adutha Saattai (Tamil) | Tamil | Chellankuppam Subramaniyan | Yugabharathi | Justin Prabhakaran | Muzik247 | 7 August 2019 | |
| Kalla Kalavaani (Tamil)/Nannu Nammanee (Telugu) | Soundtrack | Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (Tamil)/ Nawab (Telugu) | Tamil/Telugu/English | Shakthisree Gopalan | Vairamuthu and Lady Kash (Tamil)/ Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry (Telugu) | A. R. Rahman | Sony Music | 5 September 2018 | |
| Supermodel | Soundtrack | Graghanam (Tamil)/Grahanam (Telugu) | Tamil/English | Lady Kash | Sundaramurthy K.S. | U1 Records | 2 May 2017 | - | |
| Mission To Sydney | Soundtrack | Si3 (Tamil) | Tamil/English | Lady Kash, Hari | Harris Jayaraj | Eros Music | 27 November 2016 | - | |
| Kaatril Aeri | Soundtrack | Parandhu Sella Va (Tamil) | Tamil/English | Joshua Sridhar | Na. Muthukumar, Lady Kash | Joshua Sridhar | Saregama | 2 October 2016 | - |
| Neruppu Da | Soundtrack | Kabali | Tamil | Lady Kash, Arunraja Kamaraj | Santhosh Narayanan | AKASHIK / Think Music India | 14 July 2016 | Exclusive Version released by AKASHIK in collaboration with Santhosh Narayanan / Think Music India | |
| Wanna Mash Up | Soundtrack | Highway (Hindi) | English | Suvi Suresh, Krissy | Lady Kash, Krissy | A. R. Rahman | T-Series | 24 January 2014 | - |
| Oh Penne | Soundtrack | Vanakkam Chennai | Tamil/English | Anirudh Ravichander | Lady Kash | Anirudh Ravhichander | AKASHIK / Sony Music India | 17 October 2013 | Original Version released by AKASHIK in collaboration with Anirudh Ravichander / Sony Music India |
| Pickle Jar | Soundtrack | Pickles The Movie (Tamil/English) | Tamil/English | Krissy, MK | Lady Kash, Krissy, MK | TR Krishna Chetan | Tantra | 18 June 2011 | - |
| Hold On | Soundtrack | Pickles The Movie (Tamil/English) | Tamil/English | Lady Kash | TR Krishna Chetan | Tantra | 18 June 2011 | - | |
| Bul Bul | Soundtrack | Devadas (Kannada) | Kannada/English | Shashank | Lady Kash, V. Nagendra Prasad | Joshua Sridhar | Jhankar Music | 13 May 2011 | - |
| Priyankari Remix | Soundtrack | The Thriller (Malayalam) | Malayalam/English | Benny Dayal, Mamta Mohandas, Krissy | Lady Kash, Hari Narayanan | Dharan Kumar | Manorama Music | 17 November 2010 | - |
| Ileana Ileana | Soundtrack | Huduga Hudugi (Kannada) | Kannada/English | Benny Dayal, Rita | Lady Kash, Kaviraj | Joshua Sridhar | Anand Audio | 12 November 2010 | - |
| Bathing At Cannes | Soundtrack | Engeyum Kaadhal (Tamil) | Tamil/English | Emcee Jesz, Ranina Reddy, Krissy | Lady Kash, Emcee Jesz | Harris Jayaraj | Sony Music | 8 November 2010 | - |
| Gaana Bhajana | Soundtrack | Gaana Bajaana (Kannada) | Kannada/English | Joshua Sridhar, Sayanora Phillip | Lady Kash, Sinchana | Joshua Sridhar | Anand Audio | 29 October 2010 | - |
| Naina Miley | Soundtrack | The Robot (Hindi) | Hindi/English | A. R. Rahman, Suzanne D’Mello, Krissy | Lady Kash, Swanand Kirkire, Krissy | A. R. Rahman | Venus | 14 August 2010 | - |
| Irumbile | Soundtrack | Enthiran - The Robot (Tamil) | Tamil/English | A. R. Rahman, Krissy | Lady Kash, Madhan Karky, Krissy | A. R. Rahman | Think Music India | 31 July 2010 | - |
| Dochey | Soundtrack | Puli (Telugu) | Telugu/English | Shreya Goshal, Krissy | Lady Kash, Chandrabose, Krissy | A. R. Rahman | Sony Music | 11 July 2010 | - |
| Pappu Hippo | Soundtrack | Pappu (Telugu) | Telugu/English | Yashwanth, Radhika, Phani Kalyan | Lady Kash | Phani Kalyan | Aditya Music | 25 June 2010 | - |
Projects
| Record | Category | Track Language | Original Artist | Lyrics | Music Composer | Additional Vocals | Mix | Master | Format | Label | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can You Hear The World | Project | Tamil/English | Bhavatharini, Lady Kash, Various Artistes | Lady Kash, Shalini Singh | Bhavatharini | A R Raihanah, Aishwarya R Dhanush, Shalini Singh & Various Artistes | M Kumaraguruparan, U1 Records - Chennai, India | M Kumaraguruparan, U1 Records - Chennai, India | Digital Download | U1 Records | 8 March 2018 | In honour of International Women's Day 2018 |
| Rap War 2.0 | Project | Tamil/English | Lady Kash, Sri Rascol, ADK | Lady Kash, Sri Rascol, ADK, Respective Songwriters | A. R. Rahman | - | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Live Performance | A. R. Rahman | 17 March 2017 | A. R. Rahman Live in Dubai |
| Naam Hai Futsal | Project | Hindi/English | A. R. Rahman, Virat Kohli, Lady Kash, Karthik | Lady Kash, DDB Mudra Group | A. R. Rahman | - | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Digital Download | Unisys Music | 13 July 2016 | Premier Futsal Anthem |
| Rap War | Project | Tamil/English | Lady Kash, Blaaze, ADK | Lady Kash, Blaaze, ADK, Respective Songwriters | A. R. Rahman | - | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Live Performance | A. R. Rahman | 16 January 2016 | Nenje Ezhu - Concert tour series covering Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai for flood relief efforts & A. R. Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Semmozhiyaana Tamizh Mozhiyaam | Project | Tamil | A. R. Rahman, Lady Kash, Various Artistes | M. Karunanidhi | A. R. Rahman | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, Hariharan, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Bombay Jayashri, Chinmayi, Harini & Various Artistes | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, India | Digital Download | A. R. Rahman | 15 May 2010 | More than 50 artistes/musicians of Indian-origin came together for the Anthem of the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010 |
Renditions
| Record | Category | Track Language | Original Artiste | Lyrics | Music Composer | Music Production | Additional Vocals | Mix | Master | Format | Label | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodak Yellow – Lady Kash | Remix/Rework | English | Cardi B | Lady Kash | JWhiteDidIt | Krishmusic | - | Studio FlyVision - Paris, France | Studio FlyVision - Paris, France | Digital Download | AKASHIK | 10 December 2017 | Released in support of the #MeToo movement focusing on empowerment |
| Rap Smash – Lady Kash | Remix/Rework | Tamil/English | Lady Kash, Respective Artistes | Lady Kash, Respective Songwriters | A. R. Rahman | Balamurali Balu | - | Sunny M.R. - Mumbai, India | Sunny M.R. - Mumbai, India | Digital Download | AKASHIK | 6 January 2017 | First ever medley consisting of A. R. Rahman's popular rap hits which was released with a one-take music video on the composer's 50th birthday |
| Desi Kalakaar – Lady Kash | Remix/Rework | Tamil/Hindi/English | Yo Yo Honey Singh | Lady Kash, Yo Yo Honey Singh | Yo Yo Honey Singh | DJ AKS | Yo Yo Honey Singh | Reaks Records - Dubai, UAE | Reaks Records - Dubai, UAE | Digital Download | AKASHIK | 26 October 2014 | Collaboration with DJ AKS; winner of World Top DJs Awards |
| This Is Love – Lady Kash, Krissy | Remix/Rework | Tamil/English | will.i.am, Eva Simons | Lady Kash, Krissy, William Adams, Eva Simons, Steve Angello, Mike Hamilton, Sebastian Ingross, Max Martin | will.i.am, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso | Charles Bosco | - | Bosco Studios - London, United Kingdom | Jemi Sitanayah - Indonesia | Digital Download | Independent Release | 7 August 2013 | Desi rework produced in London, United Kingdom |
| Replay – Lady Kash | Remix/Rework | English | Iyaz | Lady Kash, J.R. Rotem, Jason Derulo, Sean Kingston, Timothy Thomas, Theron Thomas, Keidran Jones | J.R. Rotem | Edward Sanders | Iyaz | Edward Sanders - Los Angeles, USA | Edward Sanders - Los Angeles, USA | Digital Download | Independent Release | 14 February 2013 | Valentine's Day edition |
Collaboration
| Record | Category | Track Language | Original Artiste | Lyrics | Music Composer | Additional Vocals | Mix | Master | Format | Label | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adiye | Collaboration | Tamil/English | Lady Kash, Abhay Jodhpurkar | Lady Kash, Jeffrey Jonathan | Jeffrey Jonathan | A R Raihanah, Aishwarya R Dhanush, Shalini Singh & Various Artistes | Vinod Verma - Mumbai, India | Vinod Verma - Mumbai, India | Digital Download | Sony Music South | 12 November 2015 | Music video filmed in India |
| Kuppai | Collaboration | Tamil/English | Rahul Nambiar, Lady Kash, Krissy | Lady Kash, Rahul Nambiar, Naveen Madhav, Krissy | Rahul Nambiar | PDMS - Mumbai, India | PDMS - Mumbai, India | Digital Download | Channel 7 | 3 November 2014 | Music video filmed in India | |
| Sirithu | Collaboration | Tamil/English | Sarangan, Lady Kash, Krissy | Lady Kash, Pa. Vijay, Krissy, Sarangan | Sarangan Sriranganathan | Multi Facet International - Sydney, Australia | Multi Facet International - Sydney, Australia | Digital Download | Sarangan Music | 16 August 2013 | Music video filmed in Australia | |
| Hey Penney | Collaboration | Tamil/English | JMal, Lady Kash, Krissy | Lady Kash, Yuwaji, Krissy | Damian Mikhail | Shugar Studios - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | Shugar Studios - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | Digital Download | Continental Records | 28 July 2013 | Music video filmed in Malaysia | |
| Without Your Love | Collaboration | English | Lady Kash, Mez Mariyé, Krissy | Lady Kash, Mez Mariyé, Krissy | Metrognome | TR Krishna Chetan - Chennai, India | TR Krishna Chetan - Chennai, India | Digital Download | Independent Release | 7 May 2013 | Music video filmed in Singapore |
References
- "Singaporean artist raps to make Villupaattu famous". The Times of India. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- "Rap offered me the freedom society didn't: Lady Kash, Singaporean Tamil-English rapper". The News Minute. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- "Lady Kash quits Survivor; alleges makers didn't care she had COVID symptoms - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- "Two young music directors Nayanthara-Sarkunam horror flick - Tamil Movie News - IndiaGlitz.com". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- "Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam - Lady Kash". Lady Kash. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- Thakker, Namrata. "Highway music review: AR Rahman hits the bullseye yet again!". Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- "'Kabali' Cover Tunes Anyone? We've Got You Covered!". The Quint. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- "The bow's song: Once famous, 84-yr-old villupaattu artist Poongani now lives in poverty". The News Minute. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- "Lady Kash quits Survivor; alleges makers didn't care she had COVID symptoms - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- "Anirudh Live in Singapore on 26th July - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 June 2018.