Neerajomatic Interview: The Journey Behind Realest and the Future of Desi Hip Hop
Mumbai-based artist Neeraj Gupta, better known as Neerajomatic, has been steadily carving his lane in Desi Hip Hop.
From stepping on stage as a hype man for some of the scene’s biggest names to winning Red Bull Turn It Up twice and now dropping his own standout single Realest, his journey reflects both persistence and purpose.
In this candid conversation with Desi Renaissance, he talks about his beginnings, lessons from the industry, his vision for DHH, and what’s coming next.
Q) In India, people often overlook how vital a hype man is to the energy of a live show. Even Kendrick first stepped on stage as Jay Rock’s hype man. You’ve been that presence for artists like Dino James and King, while also writing for some of the biggest names in desi hip hop. If you had to trace your journey from those first steps to where you are now, how would you tell that story?
Neeraj: I’ve always looked at the stage as my classroom. Starting out as a hype man for artists like Dino James, Jasleen Royal, DJ Shadow Dubai, and now King taught me how to hold a crowd, ride their energy, and give it back tenfold.
At the same time, writing for some of the biggest names in desi hip hop showed me how industry-level songs are crafted. Those weren’t just side gigs — they were training grounds. Step by step, I realized I wasn’t meant to stay behind or beside someone else forever; I was meant to stand on my own.
Like J. Cole said, “there’s no such thing as a life that’s better than yours” — I had to embrace my own path.
Realest is that turning point — the moment where everything I learned in the background now powers my own voice at the forefront.
Q) Take us back to Red Bull Turn It Up — you’ve won the competition twice, once alongside Spindoc and then with Ashley. What was it like going head-to-head with artists like Shah Rule and Enkore, and how did it feel to not just win once, but take the title twice?
Neeraj: Red Bull Turn It Up was a milestone because it was the first IP of its kind in India.
In the opening round, me and THE SPINDOCTOR faced JD and OG Shez from Gully Gang with Divine in the crowd. That was huge for me because Gully Gang has always set the standard, and coming out on top felt like real validation.
In the next round, we went up against DJ SA and Shah Rule — again, artists tied or affiliated with the same camp. I didn’t get to battle Enkore because he and Proof were eliminated early, but just sharing the lineup with them was an honor.
The second title, with Ashley, was a different challenge altogether.
We went up against a college crew in the finals who had the full home advantage — placards, chants, the whole vibe. Still, our chemistry carried us through.
Winning twice wasn’t about putting anyone down; it was about proving to myself that I could hold my own among some of the best. Like Jay-Z said, “I will not lose, for even in defeat, there’s a valuable lesson learned, so it evens up for me.”
That line has always stayed with me — nothing to lose, everything to gain.
Q) One of the first times we heard you was on Hop Out and Cypher for Equality, and now your latest track Realesthas been making serious waves in the scene. Let’s start with Cypher for Equality — how did that come together? And with Realest, what have been some of the best reactions you’ve received so far?
Neeraj: Cypher for Equality has a beautiful backstory. At the time, I was managing the project with Tracy De Sá for Shark & Ink.
The night before the shoot, one of the rappers backed out and Tracy asked if I could step in. I wrote my verse till 3 a.m., and by 7 a.m. I was in the studio recording alongside the lineup.
From there, we went straight to shoot the video — and I was still juggling everything behind the scenes, from production calls to even costume fixes. That day I was both managing the project and rapping on it, which made the experience unique.
The cause gave it even more weight — if you listen closely, there are gems in that verse about women’s equality. It showed me early that hip hop isn’t just performance, it’s purpose.
With Realest, everything feels like it’s come full circle. The industry started paying attention — from established names to upcoming brands, a lot of important professionals began following me.
For me, that’s the true gain of real hip hop: when your work speaks loudly enough to open doors. Fans have been making their own dance reels, which gave the song a whole new life online, and brands reached out as well.
One even brought me on as a brand strategist because they connected with my vision through the music. So the impact of Realest hasn’t just been cultural — it’s created opportunities, relationships, and momentum. That’s been the real blessing.
Q) Working so closely within the industry, even before dropping a solo track, must have taught you lessons that give you an edge. What’s been your biggest learning? And having seen the challenges that hold artists back, how has that shaped the way you approach your own career?
Neeraj: Like I say in my track Realest: “Pura khel effort aur risk ka hai, bit by bit ka hai, hit and miss ka hai.”
This music game is all about effort and taking those risks — whether financial or otherwise. You have to invest in yourself. Bit by bit, you keep building your catalogue, and over time that consistency creates a compounding effect.
And the hit-and-miss part? That’s the truth of it — the whole game runs on probability. You have to keep shooting your shots, because it’s about that one hit that makes the whole thing come together.
Being in the industry made me realize one thing clearly — nobody has it all figured out. Everyone is trying, everyone is learning, and that’s why the best compass is your own gut.
I’ve learned to trust my instinct, because at the end of the day, even if I make a mistake, I’d rather hold myself accountable than blame the industry. That mindset keeps me grounded and fearless — it’s my way of moving forward with clarity.
Q) Hip hop has always been about self-knowledge and growth. You seem to carry a lot of confidence in your own skin while raising awareness through your artistry. Looking at the DHH scene today, what do you appreciate most, and how would you like to see it evolve over the next 5–10 years?
Neeraj: The confidence I carry comes from learning directly from the greatest. I’ve studied Jay-Z, Eminem, and many such legends, and I still keep learning like a nerd.
But alongside that, I believe individuality is the real key. Too often in DHH right now, I see artists copying our own torchbearers. Divine, Raftaar and others built an important foundation, but simply sounding like them won’t create the next movement.
What we really need are artists bold enough to bring their own flavor — the way Lil Wayne carved out his own wave.
Looking ahead, I want to see the culture lean more into conscious rap, deeper storytelling, and individuality. If that happens, the scene won’t just expand — it will evolve in meaning, depth, and global relevance.
Q) Hip hop is often a mirror of culture and community. How has your background and environment shaped the kind of artist you are becoming?
Neeraj: To be really honest, Indian hip hop has been built on beef. Before the big beefs happened, the culture wasn’t at the level it is today. That’s the mirror of our DHH community — we love things that are spicy, raw, aggressive, and that energy did push the scene forward.
But the downside is that we sometimes celebrate controversy more than creativity. My take on diss culture is very clear and you can hear it in my track Realest.
For me, hip hop is bigger than that. My background and environment shaped me into someone who respects the craft and grows through it — not just the hype. I want to document my life through it. It’s my diary.
So while beef may have fueled one era of Indian hip hop, I want to see the next era fueled by individuality, storytelling, and conscious rap. That’s where the culture will find its depth — when we balance the spice with substance.
Q) If you had to give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in the scene today, what would it be? And how important do you think it is for new artists to really understand the business side of music?
Neeraj: My advice to someone starting out would be simple — don’t pressure yourself with all the music business information on day one. First, focus on becoming worth it as an artist.
You have to build yourself into a product, into a brand that the music business can then package and sell.
At its core, the music business side is just that — packaging and selling. But what’s inside the box, that’s you. That’s your art, your story, your individuality. If that isn’t strong, no contract or deal can save you.
So first put your energy into your craft, your sound, your presence. Once you’ve built that foundation, the business will follow naturally, and then you can learn how to protect and scale what you’ve created.
Q) The only complaint we have is that we haven’t heard enough from you yet. What’s next — can we expect more singles, maybe a full project or album in the near future?
Neeraj: Since I gave up all my job responsibilities, it’s been a couple of years of just focusing on myself as an MC. In that time, I’ve stacked up a lot of music — and in return, the music has built me. It’s made me visual as a thinker, more confident, and ready to move differently.
So yes, you can expect a lot of free verses on my Instagram while the music video of Realest drops soon. And when it comes to the next official track… well, it could be We Up or Brothers Only. Let’s see — but y’all keep praying for me.
Neeraj’s story is one of patience, self-belief, and relentless work behind the scenes before stepping into his own spotlight.
With Realest opening new doors and more music on the way, he stands as proof that individuality and consistency still matter in a culture often caught up in hype.
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