Madurai Souljour
Madurai Souljour is Madurai’s first Tamil Hip Hop group, comprising of 3 emcees and a producer. The group consists of Saheerul Waris a.k.a Syan, Senthil Kumar a.k.a Senthuzhan, Robin Arulsingh a.k.a Robin and Nowshadth Ali a.k.a Nowsa G. Syan & Nowsa G are cousins and lived near by each other. Senthuzhan, was a regular customer at Nowsa G’s game center at Sellur. Robin knew Syan
from playing football at the Madurai Racecourse football grounds.
‘Madai Thiranthu’ by Yogi B & Natchatra was their introduction to Tamil Hip Hop. Addicted to the song, Syan and Nowsa eventually got hold of the album ‘Vallavan’ and started jamming in the game centre trying to produce their own music. Inspired by the album, they practiced and performed the songs, which then got them crafting their original lyrics and flows. Senthuzhan and Robin then joined them in rhyme through their mutual love for Tamil Hip Hop. Together, they were known as Kaiser Base, Madurai’s first Tamil Hip Hop group; Syan, Senthuzhan and Robin the emcees and Nowsa the music producer. In 2013, they released a comical skit of them fooling around in their studio and a music video of their song titled ‘Powercut’ on YouTube. Syan sent a message to Yogi B, the pioneer of Tamil Hip Hop, with the links of the videos introducing him and the group. Yogi B was very impressed with their skills of creating original songs with relevant and real messages, all while keeping the authenticity and pride of Madurai in tact. Yogi B got in touch with the boys during his trip to Chennai in 2013 and invited them over for a meeting and an audition. The boys were elated and stunned with the invitation and did not waste this golden opportunity. Yogi B liked what he saw and agreed to be their mentor and guru; guiding them towards Hip Hop excellence. Yogi B rechristened them as ‘Madurai Souljour’, symbolizing valor overcoming hardships in life through the power of music. Yogi B has been guiding them for the past two years. At present they are working on their debut album, which is slated to be released in the near future.
