Hip-hop as a way of life

Saksham Shrestha grew up surrounded by music. His father owned a cassette shop in New Road, and his days were filled with everything from bhajan, Bollywood songs to the latest from international rock stars.

Before long, Shrestha was picking up on these varied genres, and started playing guitar. But he was drawn to hip-hop and the platform it provides. Raised in Tebahal in Kathmandu, he drew inspiration from the heritage and culture of his Newa community.

“I was exposed to Nepali and Newari culture and heritage since childhood, so linking my music to it made sense,” Shrestha, famously known as OMG Spark, told us after a recent performance in Patan for 20 Canadian exchange students.

“Every song has some Newari words, so young people who do not understand it can go back and try to learn it. I aim to incorporate more languages in my songs to reach out to a larger audience,” he adds.

Traditional instruments such as sitar, sarangi, dhime, and bhusyah are integral to Shrestha’s music, as is the mix of Nepali, Newari, and English in his lyrics. And Newari pops out of nowhere in the words, surprising audiences. 

Interestingly, OMG in Shrestha’s rap name does not stand for Oh My God but Origami Music Group, a music collective that he started with Sagun Khadka and Sarthak Gautam, which specialises in hip-hop and rap music as well as R&B and pop genres, providing a platform for young and aspiring artists to showcase their talent and creativity.

And Spark? “Spark has been with me since childhood. While playing Counter-Strike and rap battling online, my name was Spark,” Shrestha adds.  

Shrestha started his musical career straight out of his studio, and has composed for the likes of Uniq Poet and rapper turned Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah. In the last 10 years, he collaborated with both emerging and established artists. He has also composed for movies.

But his biggest success yet is the single Babal which is a collaboration with Sisan Baniya and Nawaj Ansari and has over 12 million views on YouTube. Nepalese Brilliance, Gurkhali, Manakamana, Valley Jamz, and Jojolapa are some of his other popular songs.

'In the land where peaks touch the sky, man we shine

Nepalese brilliance is divine, every day I’m learning, man I’m tryna see fine

But they be telling me there’s a struggle for the nation

The system, the progress, the schisms, the bondage

…….This ain’t nation for a coward dog'

Every day is do or die, so you gotta muscle up.’

These lyrics from his song Nepalese Brilliance depict the frustration of young Nepalis, the lack of opportunities that is pushing many out. “As youth are mostly migrating out, my music aims to inspire and connect with them and strengthen the hip-hop movement in Nepal,” Shrestha explains.

He adds, “I am just tapping into whatever is inside of me. Nepalis relate to my songs because they have also had similar experiences.”

For Shrestha, hip-hop is not just a genre, but a lifestyle and collective culture that empowers, elevates, and entertains. He separates the two words and brings out his interpretation of those two words -- ‘hip’ is being knowledgeable about the surroundings and finding a voice, whereas ‘hop’ is being free and letting loose. 

He aims to connect, create awareness, and anchor young Nepalis to their roots. Shrestha himself felt like a misfit once, but found solace in hip-hop.

“Hip-hop resonated deeply with me, allowing me to be free-spirited,” says Shrestha. “The next step is to take Nepali hip-hop to the global stage.”