Acclaimed rapper and cultural icon Yogi B shared a note on his Instagram expressing gratitude to everyone who has made this album legendary. The album that was not just another musical venture but rather a cultural reset, was released 20 years ago today with a total of 16 tracks. The launch of the iconic Madai Thiranthu, Indian Girls, Kamasutra, Ellamey Kaasu, to Hip Hop Era, Mov Dat, Vaa Vaa, and lots more that stood the test of time have undoubtedly rewired the trajectory of the world of Tamil Rap permanently.
The 2006 album, for which Yogi B was the executive producer too, resonated with the Tamil diaspora across the world because ‘..all over the world Yogi B and Natchatra love seeing their Indian Girls..’ also made Yogi B and his unit Natchatra (comprising Dr Burn and Emcee Jesz) a sensation. It earned Yogi B the crown of being the first Tamil hip hop artist.
The godfather of Tamil Hip Hop shared that Vallavan was a leap of faith, “Not knowing where it would take me, I took a gamble and took the plunge. Vallavan was made predominantly for a Malaysian audience. Its global reach is something we never dreamt of. The Tamizh diaspora around the world astounded us with their support, welcoming these Malaysian Tamizh guys into their lives. Today, it has stood the test of time, still bringing us places, surviving phases, and seeing new faces.”
He concluded, “But above all, the most rewarding part has been the people we’ve met along the way. The ones who have told us that Vallavan inspired something in them — to pursue Hip Hop, to make music, to find their own sound, to begin their own journey. That is a legacy I hold close. I take immense pride in knowing that I’ve left a mark on the Tamizh music ecosystem — and that Vallavan became, in many ways, a Tamizh Hip Hop blueprint.”
