Krishna Kaul, better known by his stage name KR$NA is a trailblazing Indian rapper and songwriter from New Delhi. He was born on October 4, 1989, into a Kashmiri Pandit family, KR$NA is acknowledged as one of the earliest pioneers in the Indian hip-hop scene. His journey in music began in the mid-2000s when he adopted the stage name Prozpekt and started making waves with his unique lyrical prowess and technical skills.
KR$NA’s early exposure to hip-hop music came during his formative years spent in South London, where he also attended school for a few years. He started writing rap at the age of 14 as a way to blend in with his peers. This period of his life, characterized by rap battles and the influence of hip-hop culture, is poignantly reflected in his song “Dream.”
His initial success came with the release of “Kaisa Mera Desh” in 2010, which became the first Indian hip-hop song to debut on YouTube. The song quickly garnered significant attention, earning the #2 spot as one of the most-watched music videos in India overnight. This breakthrough marked KR$NA as a significant force in the Indian hip-hop landscape.
In 2013, KR$NA released the song “Vijay” in collaboration with the international NGO Save The Children, further solidifying his position in the music industry. That same year, he rebranded from Prozpekt to KR$NA after signing a record deal with Universal Music. In May 2014, he released his debut album, Sellout, an all-English effort, with its lead single “Last Night” peaking at #5 on the Vh1 Music Charts in India. He became the first Indian hip-hop artist to embark on a five-city album tour with a band, showcasing his versatility and commitment to his craft.
Despite a setback with the music video for the title track “Sellout,” which did not achieve the expected impact due to insufficient marketing and label support, KR$NA’s resilience saw him return stronger. After a two-year hiatus, he made a comeback in 2016 with the Hindi release “Vyanjan,” which received widespread acclaim. This success led to his signing with the artist management agency DNH Artists (now Kalamkaar) in 2017, where he later became a partner alongside notable artists like Raftaar and Ankit Khanna.
KR$NA’s career continued to soar with international collaborations. In January 2021, he featured on American rapper Hi-Rez’s song “Crossroads,” alongside Royce da 5’9″. This was followed by another collaboration with Hi-Rez, “Playground,” featuring KXNG Crooked, and “Overdrive,” which included A-F-R-O, Joell Ortiz, Bizzy Bone, Tech N9ne, and Twista. These collaborations showcased KR$NA’s ability to seamlessly blend with global artists, bringing Indian hip-hop to the international stage.
In 2022, KR$NA collaborated with Karan Aujla on the song “Ykwim,” and his work alongside Brodha V on the song “Forever” won the Best Indie Collaboration at the Radio City Freedom Awards in 2023. His single “Roll Up,” featuring Badshah, from the album Still Here, amassed over 10 million views on YouTube within a month, highlighting his growing influence.
KR$NA’s journey, marked by his lyrical depth, technical prowess, and ability to navigate both local and international music scenes, has cemented his status as a pivotal figure in Desi hip-hop. His contributions continue to inspire a new generation of artists in the genre.
