From IndianRapper.ComBound for Glory
In a conversation I had with Asoka, I was surprised to learn that the aspiring rapper had attended more than 11 schools by the time he reached high school. As he reflected on his childhood he recalled, “We moved around a lot, but it helped expose me to things most people don’t see.†Perhaps it’s those experiences that provide him with countless hours of inspiration.
At the current age of 21, Asoka has already made his way onto some Major Mixtapes around the circuit. Being placed with other elite artists on CDs hosted and put out by: 50 Cent and G-Unit, Juelz Santana, Hussein Fatal of 2pac’s The Outlawz, DJ Fatal and the Cali Untouchables, DJ Vlad and many more….
But all his achievements didn’t occur overnight; Asoka started making music in 2003. Now with a catalog of over 300 hundred songs Asoka continues to write and record daily. On the matter of recording he states, “Practice doesn’t perfect your skill; perfect practice perfects your skill.â€
Being raised in many surroundings from different places in India to Chicago to Los Angeles to Detroit, Asoka has seen great diversity in life; from a man being shot outside of his bedroom window, at the young age of eight, to the poverty in India. “Seeing how people live in different parts of the world firsthand, makes you realize that our necessities are truly luxuries to others.â€
Going through hard times growing up he always turned to music to find peace. It was 2pac Shakur who sparked Asoka’s interest in Hip Hop. “It was just something about his lyrics that grabbed a hold of me. And from that point on…I knew what I wanted to do in life.â€
Asoka’s hard work and passion for music didn’t go unnoticed for too long. By June 2006 Asoka was already preparing to be side by side with his childhood hero on a new release by 2pac Shakur. The CD titled “The Underground Railroad†was sponsored by Shakur’s company Makaveli-Branded and was released on Shakur’s Birthday June 16th 2006.
Asoka would be noticed by Shakur’s fellow group members Young Noble and Hussein Fatal later that year. Both of whom will appear on Asoka’s highly anticipated album, “The Underground Artist.â€
When asked about being the most successful Indian to rap, Asoka states, “Failures not an option. I’ve walked thru the doors to success and shut them behind me. There is no room for doubt in my life.â€
Living in Detroit Asoka has received much praise by the legendary Hip Hip personalities of Detroit. Some of which include: DJ Butter( known for his work with Eminem and Royce Da 59), Detroit’s most popular Hip Hop Station 98 WJLB’s Bushman, and 1st Born from the group Purple Gang (Iron Fist Records).
“I feel humbled man. These are huge names and guys that I’ve grown up listening to that are now giving me props, so it’s definitely a surreal feeling. And I love Hip Hop so this is definitely beyond my wildest dreams. Some days I just stop whatever I’m doing and take a second to think like…wow is this all real?â€
At such a young age Asoka seems well on his way to the world of success, riches and dreams that only a few dare to reach.
The revolution has yet to be televised but with live feeds from all across the globe on a vast magnitude of Hip Hop Sites such as DubCnn.Com, RapTalk.net, DjEnuff.Net(from the No. 1 Hip Hop station in the world, New York’s Hot 97) and plenty more…The future seems bright for the man we all know as Asoka.
And if this is just his underground success…Imagine what the future holds.