Raftaar & KR$NA launch ‘Legacy’ to unearth fresh hip‑hop talent; they warn against manufactured careers

Raftaar, the popular Indian rapper, has stepped away from the mic for a brief period to take on the role of judge and mentor on a new talent‑search show called Legacy. The program, co‑created by the duo with Ankit Khanna of Kalamkaar, aims to discover fresh hip‑hop talent across India and is already generating nationwide buzz.

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Raftaar and his co‑creator KR$NA explained that while their artistic styles differ, they share a common vision for the future of Indian hip‑hop. KR$NA noted, “Even though we are two artists who are different, we have always been on the same page. We were on the same page when we created this show. I think we are pretty aligned, but of course, we have small disagreements on what we like and dislike.” Raftaar added, “The destination is the same. We want to reach the same place, but the choice of vehicle is different, so we fight sometimes.”

Ankit Khanna, who helped bring the show to life, emphasized that the goal is to nurture genuine artists rather than just TV‑ready personalities. “We had a vision that we are building it slowly. If we bring artists starting from scratch, the audience will naturally grow with them,” he said. He expressed hope that viewers will connect with the contestants and become fans of the emerging talent.

The trio also warned against the pitfalls of creating manufactured careers in an era that favors viral moments. Raftaar said, “We can manufacture a career, but it won’t sustain.” He illustrated his point with an example: if the duo writes five songs for a newcomer and helps release an EP that becomes a hit, the initial success is “manufactured.” However, if the artist fails to maintain their own voice and identity after the initial launch, the momentum will falter. “Sustainability comes only when the artist has their own voice and identity,” Raftaar explained.

Both rappers acknowledged that they are still learning how to balance mentorship with the realities of the entertainment industry. Their focus remains on fostering authentic talent and ensuring that any success is built on skill rather than fleeting popularity.