Raja Kumari is back with her first release with Nas’ newly established label Mass Appeal India, where she recently signed a deal with. Titled “NRI” (meaning Non Resident of India), she refers on how the term is used derogatorily against people who are Indian but don’t live in India. In the song, she raps about her struggles in living in the duality of both – where she’s “too American for India and too Indian for America”.
“Tryna rep my people but they say I’m not they leader
NRI up in the bleachers
Feed off what y’all eatin
Sorry that my sari ain’t Indian enough
And America don’t love me cuz i’m Indian as f***”, Raja Kumari spits in her verse.
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The track is produced by Rob Knox (who has produced for Meek Mill, Justin Timberlake & more) and the music video is directed by Shawn Thomas Visuals (who previously also did “City Slums”).
Speaking about the video, Grammy nominated Raja Kumari says, “The video for N.R.I. was shot in early March, and I had just 24 hours to prepare for my return flight to LA in the middle of all the Covid-19 chaos, but I was passionate about including both my hometowns within the video. I wanted to show the world where I really lived and where I had been for the last 3 years. The remaining part of the video was shot in Los Angeles during the Grammy week in February. Little did we know that would be the last time to film before Quarantine.”
Raja Kumari is also gearing up for her upcoming online world tour. She is currently the cover of Rolling Stone. Also, her MTV show “HUSTLE”, a rap battle competition show, was just picked up for season two. Check out the music video above and stream the song below.