Rap has been greatly effective as a form of protest, against injustice committed by the system against the common man, against powers that be for being faceless entities, and it's for this reason the rise of the rap scene in India, and especially Telugu rap, is something we see as a positive sign. It is an outlet for rappers and fans of rap and hip hop music, something a lot of this country can use. 

One such rapper making waves on social media, Mahadev 'Maahaa' Sastry, speaks to stuMagz about his career and his motivations, and his message to students who want to start rapping. 

"My first introduction to rap and hip hop was in 9th standard, and I remember it having a tremendous hold over me. I would try and sing the lyrics and copy the beat of the song to make it sound as authentic as possible" says Maahaa on how he started out in the rap game, "I started writing my own stuff when I was in 11th!"

Current pursuing his final year of engineering from SRM University in Chennai, the young rapper says, "It wasn't until engineering that I got my first opportunity. I used to rap occasionally before being asked to perform for fests and such, and that was the catapult pushing me towards a career in rap." On being asked if he wants to continue his rap career even after college, he pauses for a bit before saying, "I am going to try and write new songs and push myself into his completely, but if it doesn't work out then I'm going to get a job, which of course doesn't mean that it's going to be the end of my rap career." 

Maahaa's new song, a Telugu Rap called Na Galli Na Lolli is launching later today, in collaboration with iDream Media. You can check out his work on his website by clicking here.