When approached about the edginess and the note of anger in some lines of his hip-hop tracks, actor and musician Neeraj Madhav sheds light on the braggadocio inherent in hip-hop music. He articulates that hip-hop has an element of flexing or boasting, serving as a medium for self-upliftment and self-embrace. Furthermore, it offers an outlet to vent anger.
Neeraj, known in the music world as NJ, has established himself in Kerala’s rap-heavy indie music scene. His latest single ‘Ballaatha Jaathi’, crafted in collaboration with local hip-hop artists Dabzee and Baby Jean, has become a sensation. The track has amassed 14 million views on YouTube and over 20 million streams across various audio platforms since its release in June. The song is part of his upcoming album, Padakuthira, set to launch later this year. Neeraj aims to collaborate with musicians across linguistic and regional borders for this album.
Reflecting on his journey, Neeraj reveals that he hasn’t encountered any exciting film offers post-RDX (Robert Dony Xavier). Neeraj describes himself as a right-brained individual, motivated only by creative and engaging projects. He prefers abstaining from work that does not spark enthusiasm. “Nothing [films] exciting came up after RDX (Robert Dony Xavier). I am a right-brained guy, and if I am not enjoying the process [of creating] then I cannot do it. I’d rather not do something if it does not excite me!” he says, underscoring his commitment to engaging only in fulfilling endeavors.
Unlike many in his industry, who measure relevance by frequent screen appearances, Neeraj chooses to push boundaries. He avoids complacency and steers clear of fitting into conventional molds. Instead, he carefully selects his projects, prioritizing quality over quantity. His next appearance will be in the web series ‘Love Under Construction’ directed by Vaashi’s Vishnu Raghav, which is set to stream on Disney Hotstar.
Neeraj has found another avenue to connect with audiences through his music, particularly appealing to a younger, trendier crowd. Music provides him with a creative playground to experiment and explore various genres, including hip-hop, melodies, and pop songs.
The 34-year-old’s musical journey began with his debut rap number, Jungle Rap, in 2020. Following up with Panipaali, Neeraj established himself as a musical force, riding the wave of an exponentially evolving indie music scene that has become financially viable for artists.
‘Ballaatha Jaathi’ owes its success to several factors; among the most significant is the familiarity with the ‘Malabari’ slang.
. Films set in the region and the popularity of musicians like Dabzee and Baby Jean from North Kerala have helped mainstream this dialect and slang.
“I wrote the hook for the song in 2020, but I did not attempt it then as I felt, at the time, that people would not get it. It is the right time now to collaborate with Dabzee and Baby Jean; we are from that part of Kerala,” Neeraj says. Hailing from Kozhikode and collaborating with Dabzee and Baby Jean from Malappuram, and rapper-producer Rzee from Kannur, the ensemble mirrors the culture of Malabar, seamlessly blending distinct styles in a single track. The music video is polished, and the song is an addictive earworm.
In contrast to films, music provides Neeraj with creative freedom. He acknowledges that while there have been hits and misses, the journey through music has been exhilarating. Live performances, according to him, are especially invigorating, offering euphoric experiences.
However, Neeraj remains passionate about both his careers as an actor and a musician. While the gratification from acting is not as immediate as a live musical performance, it offers extensive storytelling opportunities. In more than a decade since his acting debut in 2013, notably with the role of Monichan in Drishyam, Neeraj has appeared in numerous films, including Apothecary, Oru Mexican Aparatha, Sapthamashree Thaskaraha, Kunjiramayanam, Charlie, Adi Kapyare Kootamani, Enkkilum Chandrike, and Varshangalkku Shesham. He was one of the first Malayalam actors to star in web series like The Family Man (2019) on Amazon Prime and Feels Like Ishq on Netflix. His work extends to other language industries, such as the Tamil film Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (2022) by Gautham Menon.
The 2023 film RDX, directed by Nahas Hidayath and co-starring Shane Nigam and Anthony Varghese, marked a triumphant comeback for Neeraj. It affirmed his versatility, showing that he could tackle diverse roles, including action-hero characters.
Neeraj has experienced the challenges of an industry driven by camps and connections. His music often reflects his struggle and feelings of being an outsider. “Yes, there are autobiographical elements in my songs. I have had my share of problems trying to cope with the system, but I am still standing,” he notes.
Currently, Neeraj is co-writing scripts he plans to produce himself. Inspired by figures like Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty, he aims to create opportunities rather than wait for them. “Rather than wait for exciting projects to come my way, I want to make them happen,” Neeraj states with determination.
