Yogi B

Yogi B
Birth nameYogeswaran Veerasingam
Born (1974-12-14) December 14, 1974 (age 50)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
GenresHip hop, rap
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
Years active1990–present

Balakrishna Ganeshan Yogeswaran Veerasingam, popularly known by his stage name Yogi B or Yogi B., is a Malaysian Tamil rapper and music producer. He is noted for his pioneering contributions to the Tamil hip-hop genre.[1][2]

Early life

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Yogi B was born on December 14, 1974, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and grew up in a multicultural environment that would later influence his musical career.[2] Raised in a Tamil-speaking family, Yogi B's early exposure to diverse languages and cultural traditions played a crucial role in shaping his unique musical style. His grandfather, Kumaraswamy, was a notable Dravidian leader in Malaysia, known for his advocacy and impact within the Dravidian movement.[2]

Career

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Poetic Ammo

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Main article: Poetic Ammo

Yogi B founded the Malaysian hip-hop group Poetic Ammo in the mid-1990s.[3] Besides Yogi B, it consisted Chandrakumar Balakrishnan (aka Land Slyde), Nicholas Ong (aka Point Blanc), and Sashi Kumar Balakrishnan (aka C. Loco). Although most of the group's songs were written in English, the group also released tracks in Malay, Tamil, and Cantonese.[4][5]

The band won the 'Best English Album' award at the Malaysian Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) Music Awards in 1999.[6] They also received the 'Best Music Video' award at AIM in 2000 and 2001. Their music video 'Money Money' gained widespread national and international acclaim.[7]

Rise to fame

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The mid-2000s were transformative for Yogi B, marked by a surge in the popularity of Tamil hip-hop. His collaboration with the rap duo Natchatra, consisting of Dr Burn and Emcee Jesz, played a pivotal role in this rise.[8] In 2006, Yogi B achieved notable success with the release of the album Vallavan.[1] Yogi B also served as the executive producer of the album.

The album's standout track, "Madai Thiranthu", became a sensation, resonating with both the Tamil diaspora and the Tamil community in India.[9] The song, a unique fusion of the classic Ilaiyaraaja number with contemporary rap, captivated audiences worldwide. It garnered significant recognition from the Tamil diaspora in London, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Scandinavian countries. In South India, the song became closely associated with the now-defunct SS Music channel, which played it frequently. The album sold more than 25,000 units.[2]

Debut in Tamil film industry

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In 2007, Yogi B made his debut in the Tamil film industry with the film Polladhavan, directed by Vetrimaaran and starring Dhanush. He contributed to the film's soundtrack by performing the song "Engaeyum Eppothum", a track that featured the legendary playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The music for Polladhavan (2007 film) was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, and Yogi B's collaboration on this track marked a significant milestone in his career, bridging his independent music success with mainstream cinema.


Collaborations with leading composers

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Following his success with Polladhavan, Yogi B continued to collaborate with several renowned music composers, further establishing his presence in the Tamil film industry. He worked with Vidyasagar, A. R. Rahman, Sean Roldan, Santhosh Narayanan, D. Imman, and Anirudh Ravichander.

Health challenges and career setbacks

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Despite his burgeoning career, Yogi B faced significant personal and health challenges that temporarily halted his rise in the music world. The tragedy of his mother’s demise in 2013 profoundly affected him both personally and professionally. This loss, combined with two major surgeries for goitre (enlargement of the thyroid gland), created a period of intense difficulty for Yogi B.[2]

Recent works

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In 2020, Yogi B performed the track "Thani Vazhi" in the Tamil film Darbar starring Rajinikanth, directed by AR Murugadoss. He featured alongside Anirudh Ravichander, who also composed the song, and Shakthisree Gopalan.[10]

Discography

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Year Album Artists Ref.
1998 It's a Nice Day to Be Alive Poetic Ammo [11]
2000 The World Is Yours Poetic Ammo [12]
2003 Return of Tha' Boombox' Poetic Ammo [13]
2006 Vallavan Yogi B and Natchatra [9]

Filmography

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Release Year Movie Language Singer Lyricist Notes Ref.
2007 Polladhavan Tamil Yes No [a] [2]
2008 Kuruvi Tamil Yes No [14]
2010 Enthiran Tamil Yes No [15]
2010 Robo Telugu Yes No [b] [15]
2011 Aadukalam Tamil Yes Yes [16]
2011 Oru Vaarthai Pesu Tamil Yes No [17]
2017 Vivegam Tamil Yes Yes [18]
2017 VIP 2 Tamil Yes Yes [19]
2018 Kaala Tamil Yes No [20]
2018 Tik Tik Tik Tamil Yes No [21]
2020 Darbar Tamil Yes Yes [10]
2020 Athigaari Tamil (Malaysian) Yes Yes [22]
2021 Salaga Kannada Yes No [23]
2023 Tamilarasan Tamil Yes No [24]

Personal influences

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Yogi B attributes much of his success as a Tamil hip-hop artist to the invaluable support of his late mother.[25] She played a crucial role in his musical career by assisting with the translation of Tamil rap portions, ensuring that the poetry and lyrical integrity were preserved.

Admiration for contemporary music groups

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Yogi B has expressed admiration for The Casteless Collective, an anti-caste music group founded by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith's Neelam Cultural Centre.[2] Yogi B said that the collective’s alignment with social justice themes and its stance against caste discrimination resonate with his own values and artistic vision.

Legacy

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Yogi B's contributions to Tamil hip-hop have had a lasting impact on the genre.[26][27] His ability to merge Tamil cultural elements with contemporary hip-hop has influenced a new generation of artists and shaped the evolution of South Asian music. His innovative work earned him the nickname 'Godfather of Tamil Hip-Hop'.[2][8]

Notes

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  1. ^ Yogi B also composed the track "Engeyum Eppothum"
  2. ^ Telugu-dubbed version of the movie Enthiran

References

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  1. ^ a b Chandar, Bhuvanesh (2023-01-24). "Tamil hip-hop legend Yogi B on returning with Natchatra and value of tangible music in a streaming world". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Ganeshan, Balakrishna (2020-09-23). "From Malaysia to Kollywood: Godfather of Tamil hip hop Yogi B intv". The News Minute. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  3. ^ "Poetic Ammo lineup, biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  4. ^ "Poetic Ammo - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  5. ^ "Hip hop is recognised". hmetro.com. Retrieved 2016-10-4 (Google translation)
  6. ^ "Poetic Ammo beridentitikan tempatan". Utusan Online. Retrieved 2016-10-05. (Malaysian)
  7. ^ Samat, Hafidah (July 25, 2000). "New 'ammo' from Poetic". New Straits Times.
  8. ^ a b Shenoy, Sonali (2023-01-20). "Godfather of Tamil hip-hop, Yogi B, is gearing up to release his 'magnum opus'". Indulgexpress. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  9. ^ a b Ahmed, Muskaan (2023-01-25). "Hip hop must stay grounded, it's the essence of the art form: Yogi B". www.dtnext.in. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  10. ^ a b "Thani Vazhi Lyrics in Tamil, Darbar (Tamil) Thani Vazhi Song Lyrics in English Free Online on Gaana.com". Gaana.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  11. ^ It's A Nice Day To Be Alive by Poetic Ammo on Apple Music, 1998-09-01, retrieved 2024-08-11
  12. ^ The World Is Yours by Poetic Ammo on Apple Music, 2000-01-01, retrieved 2024-08-12
  13. ^ Return Of tha’ Boombox Songs: Return Of tha’ Boombox MP3 Songs by Poetic Ammo Online Free on Gaana.com, retrieved 2024-08-11
  14. ^ "KURUVI MUSIC REVIEW - Behindwoods VIJAY TRISHA Dharani Udaynidhi Stalin Vidya Sagar S.A. Chandrasekhar Ilaya Thalapathy image gallery". www.behindwoods.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  15. ^ a b "Endhiran tamil Movie - Overview". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  16. ^ "Aadukalam tamil Movie - Overview". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  17. ^ "Oru Vaarthai Pesu – Tamil Movie Reviews, Cast & Crew, Story, Trailers, Wallpapers". www.sulekha.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  18. ^ "Yogi B Makes Tamil Film Comeback With Ajith 57". Silverscreen India. 2016-12-14. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  19. ^ Features, Express (2017-06-27). "Yogi B sings the title track of VIP 2". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  20. ^ "Yogi B collaborates with Santhosh Narayanan for Kaala". The Times of India. 2018-03-01. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  21. ^ "Yogi B Tamil Songs: Download and Listen Best New Yogi B Tamil Songs MP3 On Gaana". Gaana.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  22. ^ Plondran, Kabilan (2020-11-11), Athigaari (Action, Crime), Bala Ganapathi William, Nanthini Ganasen, Karnan G. Crack, Jhangri Production House, Dove Eyes Entertainment, HK Network, retrieved 2024-08-11
  23. ^ "Musician Charan Raj brings hip hop singer Yogi B to debut in Sandalwood for Salaga". The Times of India. 2020-02-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  24. ^ Yogeswaran, Babu (2023-04-22), Tamilarasan (Action, Drama, Thriller), Vijay Antony, Suresh Gopi, Ramya Nambeeshan, SNS Production, retrieved 2024-08-11
  25. ^ "Rappers can't be fake; they have to represent their culture: Yogi B". The Times of India. 2023-01-30. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  26. ^ "Malaysian hip-hop star Yogi B talks about making it in Tamil cinema". South China Morning Post. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  27. ^ S, Gowri (2024-05-15). "How Tamil women rappers are changing the indie hip hop scene". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
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