Do you remember the very first time you rapped out loud in front of anyone — where you were and what pushed the words out?
I still remember the first time I rapped in public. I was in 8th Standard at Dr. Antonio Da Silva High School in Dadar, Mumbai. It was an amazing experience, and I surprised a lot of my school friends because they had never seen that side of me before. After that day, something changed. My friends started recognizing me as the “Rapper” of the school. It was a special feeling to express myself through music and see people react to something I was passionate about. That moment gave me a different identity in school and became a memorable milestone in my journey as a rapper.
Was there one song or artist that first made you feel Hindi rap could carry real truth, not just a beat?
At that time, many of Emiway Bantai’s songs were on loop for me — they had a vibe that I couldn’t get enough of. Alongside that, Naezy and Divine were dropping some crazy storytelling rap songs that showed me how Hindi rap could go beyond just beats and flow. It could tell real stories and reflect what people were actually living through. But one song that really hit my mind was “GAWAR” by Farhan Khan. He was a fresh face in hip-hop back then, and the way that song connected with me left a lasting impression. It made me realize that rap could carry a deeper meaning, speak the truth, and make people think while still keeping the vibe alive.
Who was the first person who truly believed in your music before anyone else was listening?
ARSALAN was the first person who truly believed in my music. He supported me in my initial days and introduced me to artists like NF, Tech N9ne, and Token, which opened up a whole new world of rap for me. He played a big role in shaping my craft and helping me understand the art of rapping beyond just writing bars. What makes it even more special is that we’re still in touch, still making music, and still working together as a team. I’m genuinely glad we’ve come this far together. Having someone believe in you before the world starts listening is priceless, and for me, ARSALAN will always be that person.
What's the story behind 'Desh Ki Awaaz' — the track that grew into a 200M+ view movement completely organically? When you were writing it, what was the one thing you needed people to hear?
When I was writing Desh Ki Awaaz, I honestly wasn’t even sure whether I should release it officially. I had my doubts about how people would perceive the song because I knew it could go in a very negative direction. But deep down, I also had a strong feeling that this song was going to go viral. The one thing I wanted people to understand was that this wasn’t just my voice, it was the voice of an entire nation. That’s what Desh Ki Awaaz means: The Voice of the Nation. I wanted to create something bigger than myself, something that people could connect with and see their own thoughts and emotions reflected in. Fortunately, the song resonated with people in a way I had hoped for, and the response turned out to be incredible. Seeing it grow organically into a movement with over 200 million views is surreal. It proved to me that when a song speaks to something people genuinely feel, it can become much bigger than the artist who created it.
Where do your bars first land — a notebook page, a phone note, somewhere else? Walk us through a photo of your lyrics.
Looking at those lines, how does a verse usually begin for you — a phrase, a feeling, or something you saw that you couldn't ignore?
For me, a verse can begin with a thought that I feel people need to hear. With Desh Ki Awaaz, these lines came from a feeling I knew a lot of people would relate to: “Na Hindu Khatre Mei / Na Musalman Khatre Mei / Aankh Khol Meri Jaan / Hindustan Khatre Mei.” I had a strong feeling these lines would go viral because they touched on something deeply relatable. But I also knew people might take them very personally, because the subject is so close to their identities and emotions. I wanted people to pause for a moment and look at the bigger picture. For me, it was about putting the nation above religious divisions and making people think beyond what separates us. The fact that these lines resonated with so many people showed me how powerful a few honest words can be when they touch a nerve in society.
What does your studio or the corner where you record look like?
You're building AYN Studio — what made you want your own space to record in?
I used to have my own studio called Voyage Studio in Worli, Mumbai, but an incident happened there that turned my life upside down. Since then, I’ve always had the dream of building my own studio again. I’ve realized that I love creating in my own space, in my own zone, where I can work freely and express myself without limitations. For me, a studio is more than just a place to record music; it’s a space where I can truly be myself and bring my ideas to life. That’s what inspired me to build AYN Studio. There’s also a lot more to my story that I haven’t shared yet. I’ll be opening up about myself and my journey through my upcoming five-track EP, “Voyage Se Ayn.” It’s a very personal project, and I’m looking forward to letting the music tell the parts of my story that people haven’t heard before. 🎙️
What's it like performing your music for a crowd? Share a clip or photo from one of those moments.
What does the room feel like in the moment the audience knows your words and shouts them back at you?
It’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words. I feel incredibly happy and proud when I hear the audience shouting my lyrics back at me, word for word. It’s a different kind of satisfaction to know that something I wrote has become a part of so many people. But at the same time, I feel a sense of responsibility. People have started calling me “Desh Ki Awaaz,” and now I know that every word I say is noticed and carries weight. That makes me more conscious of what I write and the message I put out into the world. For me, it’s not just about people knowing my lyrics; it’s about them connecting with the meaning behind those words. Seeing thousands of people remember and sing them back to me is a proud moment, and it reminds me why I started making music in the first place. 🎤
Tell us about 'HAQ' — the anthem about standing up and refusing to stay silent. What real thing around you lit the spark for it?
HAQ came from a place of frustration. I had a lot of feelings inside me that I wanted to put forward, and I wanted to demand what was rightfully mine. I wanted to make a statement that if something is wrong, whether it’s the system or anything else, you should have the courage to question it and fight back. For me, HAQ is an anthem about standing up for your rights and refusing to stay silent when injustice happens. It’s about knowing your worth, raising your voice, and not being afraid to challenge what’s wrong. The message is simple: I want my HAQ, my rights, and I’m not going to stay silent about it.
What are you working on right now? Give us a sneak peek — an unreleased snippet, a rough take, or a work in progress.
What is this next one about, and what are you trying to say with it that you haven't said before?
I’m currently working on my upcoming five-track EP, “Voyage Se Ayn.” Through this project, I want people to get to know the person behind the music — my journey, my struggles, my experiences, and my story. Until now, I haven’t shared much about myself with my listeners, but I feel it’s time they got to know the real me. This EP is going to be personal, and I want the music to speak about the chapters of my life that I’ve kept to myself until now. Alongside that, I’m also working on an international collaboration with American rapper MPR RICHIE RICH. Our song, “This Is How We Roll,” is coming very, very soon, and I’m excited for everyone to hear it. With these two projects, I’m exploring different sides of myself as an artist. Voyage Se Ayn is about my story and where I come from, while This Is How We Roll is about taking my music beyond borders and connecting with artists internationally.
What does it feel like to know your voice is genuinely moving people to stand up for themselves?
It feels amazing to know that my music is genuinely motivating people to stand up for themselves. As an artist, you always hope your words will connect with people, but when they actually inspire someone to raise their voice for their rights and fight against something that’s wrong, it becomes much bigger than music. For me, that’s the real power of songs like HAQ. I’ve expressed my own frustration and feelings through the music, and knowing that people can relate to those emotions makes me feel proud and responsible at the same time. If my voice can give someone the courage to stand up for their own voice, then I feel my music has served its purpose. #ABOS - Coming Soon
Contact and Follow
Email: ommykhanmgmt@gmail.com
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ommykhan
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2suP8Sc7OIdvZmbFCJVyQP?si=V-fVgyP2SNKM9k5ZPdHA8Q
