The conflict between government and LTTE separatists has been brutal to say the least. One positive has come out of the fighting however, a music career. Velupillai has taken a cue from artists such as Tupac and the Notorious BIG in using his untimely demise to boost record sales. The rebel leader turned musician makes his first foray into the music world after being confirmed dead during clashes with government forces over the rights to album royalties. Prabhakaran’s death presented him with the ideal opportunity to release his freshman effort, “Break Free Or Die Trying”, an opportunity grasped with both hands.
I spoke to our South Asia correspondent, Amandeep Fareed.
[Chief Editor] Aman, do we know why rebel leader Velupillai Pab…Prabha…karan–Christ! Anyway, do we know why he has decided to launch a music career now?
[Asia Correspondent] We understanding he’s been sitting on the material for some time, but there have been debate between the Tamil Tiger record label and the government as to terms of release…These seem to have been sorted now.
[Chief Editor] What sort of album can fans expect?
[South Asia Correspondent] It’s being described as a raw and controversial hip hop album, XXL has labelled it “the sleeper hit of 2009” and will be released on Tamil label under his alter ego, Colonel Karuna…It’s easier to say than Prabhakara.
[Chief Editor] Indeed. Do we have details of the track list?
[South Asia Correspondent] Few details have been released but we do know of “Tamil Tiger Love” and “Hit ’em up: The Tamil Remix”, the latter one of several tracks aimed at President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his administration…and his wife.
[Chief Editor] So much commotion over one CD?
[South Asia Correspondent] Yeah, well….Sri Lanka doesn’t produce much in the way of hip hop, this is a big opportunity for them.
Chief Editor] And it’s control of this record has lead to the escalation in violence?
[South Asia Correspondent] The president was loathe to see the album released under a separatist label, hence the indiscriminate shelling and destruction of innocent life.
[Chief Editor] This is a label dispute?
[South Asia Correspondent] Think Death Row and Bad Boy circa 1996. President Rajapaksa and managed to wrestle control of the Tamil record label and release the album under their Sinhalese label, potentially making millions and Colonel Karuna infamous. Everybody wins.
[Chief Editor] We’ve been told some of the fighting has been brutal with many innocent Tamil supporters killed.
[South Asia Correspondent] Well…That’s just hip hop for you. The album wouldn’t be credible without some controversy.
[Chief Editor] What has been the reaction from ordinary civilians?
[South Asia Correspondent] Thousands of people gathered in Colombo to celebrate the release of the Colonel’s debut. They are now a hip hop nation…no longer just India’s tear drop.
[Chief Editor] And how has President Rajapaksa taken all of this?
[South Asia Correspondent] He addressed crowds in Colombo to celebrate, saying: “They wanted to take this album away from us but we have grasp control. I am not afraid of what the colonel has said about me…or my wife, as I know that the release of Break Free or Die Tryin‘ will put Sri Lanka on the map. Can’t stop won’t stop…eh eh, eh eh!”
[Chief Editor] What now for Sri Lanka?
[South Asia Correspondent] The release party of course. We’re expecting appearances form hip hop luminaries such as Jay-Z, lil Wayne and Flo-Rida.
[Chief Editor] Sounds exciting. You enjoy yourself.
Image source: nationalpost.com
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