SHILLONG:
“Years ago when I performed at The Evening Club, I did not get a solo set, well here I am now, headlining the Evening Club,” remarked Moksh, or Mrinal as he is known to his folks. It was a moment of reflection and triumph for the Shillong-born rap artiste as he took centre stage on October 27 evening to kick off his tour, “Shillong se Rajdhani.”
The Evening Club was abuzz with anticipation. The crowd was ready to be swept away by the beats and bars of a hometown hero. Moksh’s journey had come a long way, and he was about to make it unforgettable.
The night began with a bang as Youngg Natee, or Nathaniel M Kharwanlang, warmed up the audience with his tunes, setting the mood for what would be an electrifying evening. Following him was the charismatic Banrap Lyngdoh, not only a performer but also the emcee for the night.
And then, it was time for the man of the hour, Moksh. As he stepped up to the mic, a hush fell over the crowd, hanging on to his every word. The beats for the night were masterfully provided by Bandit, a talented music producer.
Moksh’s very first set of bars left the audience hooked and hungry for more. But the night had just begun.
Moksh’s song “Ati Sundar Naari” celebrated and respected women, and it wasn’t just an act; it was an invitation. All the ladies in the club joined him on stage, a moving tribute to the power and beauty of women. His lyrics were not just entertaining; they were deeply respectful.
Then came a moment of linguistic talent as Moksh switched to Assamese and presented “Pola Jui,” a song filled with meaning and pathos. His multilingual abilities defied language barriers and united the room through the power of music.
“Azli Hai” got his homies from Laban moving to his lyrics. “Azli Hai, Azli Hai,” they chanted, joining the artiste in his groove. The artiste also took a moment to acknowledge his hip-hop family from Manipur, where he had performed before. He spoke of the challenges that Manipur is currently facing, emphasising the importance of music in difficult times.
The song “Middle Class” was particularly special, as Moksh shared his humble beginnings, coming from a middle-class family. He revealed how he had to create the album’s artwork himself due to budget constraints, a demonstration of his dedication and resourcefulness in pursuing his dreams.
The catchy hook step of “Bye-Bye” in the song “Middle Class” had everyone in the venue joining in, creating a sense of unity and camaraderie. The surprise of the night was when Moksh was joined on stage by Banrap, sending the crowd into a frenzy with their electrifying performance.
The grand finale featured an unreleased song, which Moksh performed alongside Youngg Natee. The atmosphere was both calm and on fire simultaneously, which was truly the versatility and dynamism of the evening.
Many up-and-coming artists from Shillong shared the stage with Moksh, and attendees from and outside the state had the privilege of enjoying his dynamic performance. The “Shillong se Rajdhani” tour kick-off was truly a monumental moment for Moksh and Shillong’s music scene.
As the night came to a close, it was clear that Moksh had come a long way from his early days, and he wasn’t just “Almost There”; he had already arrived, conquering the stage with his incredible music and performance.