Bengaluru-based Tamil rapper Killa K on music, representation, and his hit single Nalla Pulla

“I will be on the cover of Vogue one day.” Killa K, the Bengaluru-based rapper has big ambitions not only for his music, but also for fashion that is an integral role of his persona.

In preparation for his directorial debut of his music video for ‘Nalla Pulla’, the teaser for this track was posted around mid-September on his social media page. The artiste says he looks forward to being behind the camera for the first time, charting out the creative visuals, aesthetics and narrative. 

In a sit-down interview with The Hindu, the rapper speaks about his journey that began with his first single, ‘Va Voi’,which went viral in 2021. He believes his music resonates with the spirit of Bengaluru’s streets. The artiste has created a niche for himself with his authentic energy and funky style.

Home boy

Killa K, who was christened Kevin Lourd, talks about his life growing up in Sultanpalya surrounded by friends and family, whom he considers his greatest assets. “They inspire me,” says the artiste who credits ‘Va Voi’ to his childhood friend Sohan Gowda.

Rapper Killa K
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Initially, he was clueless about creating music; the song was recorded using a sock and a phone with a blanket over his head. Sohan not only shot the video, but also edited it and began a YouTube channel for Kevin. 

“My parents had no idea I was shooting the video. My friends brought over some of their clothes, and I had a few of my own. It was not fashionable at all, but that is how the music video was made.”  

As a child, he recalls being exposed to two different worlds. His education at St Joseph’s School showed him a world of luxurious homes and branded clothes. The other was his home in Sultanpalya, where his friends would play football barefoot after a hard day’s work in construction sites. He says the first pointed him in the direction he wanted to go, and the second taught him the value of hard work.

The music videos for Killa’s songs incorporate an unfiltered aesthetic of Bengaluru — one that is bold, vibrant and realistic in its beauty. The houses may be huddled together and the streets chaotic but his people are rich; with a wealth rooted in culture, warmth and character, says the artiste. 

Like minds

Talking about ‘Podu Mike’, his collaboration with Singaporean Tamil rapper Yung Raja in 2024, Killa says it was a dance track made for the streets, a celebration of two different cultures of Tamil coming together.

Rapper Killa K
| Photo Credit:
Anagha Maareesha

The language used was the Bengaluru dialect of Tamil with a mix of street slang, thapang beats, and the sound of the Parai drums. Killa says it is a form of spoken Tamil that is a mixture of different languages, including Urdu and Kannada, and represents the diverse culture of the city. 

 “My language is what made me today. I’m not cool, Tamil is cool. I am just showcasing that.”  

For fans who wonder what is next, Killa says one can expect an absolute revolution. Inspired by the different eras of Eminem whose music he grew up listening to, Killa who wants his fans to connect with his music on a personal level, promises that “something different, fresh and extraordinary” will drop soon.