North Indians dig 'gaadi, ladki' in rap songs: Shalmali Kholgade

Known for crooning hits like "Pareshaan", "Daaru desi" and "Balam pichkari", versatile singer Shalmali Kholgade feels the sudden growth in rap songs based on cars, girls and alcohol is because north Indians prefer such tracks.

"The content is only 'gaadi, ladki' (car and girls) and alcohol, of course. Yes, it is (about car, girls and alcohol) and I don't know why... It's all coming from north India and I think north Indian audience digs that kind of thing," Kholgade told IANS.

Hopefully, that will change, added the "Shayarana" hitmaker.

"I think (rappers) Rapper Raftaar and Badshah will have the potential to write something differently and present good music differently. It will eventually happen when people will get a hold about what this genre is about... I think it will change and let's hope that it does," she added.

The Maharashtra-born singer has lauded international hip-hop talents like rapper Nicki Minaj and Drake for their "brilliant" contribution to hip-hop music.

The 26-year-old singer, popular for her versatility in music, shared that one of her favourite genre of music is hip-hop. She wants rap songs to stay in the industry and not fade away.

"Hip-hop is my personal favourite genre, and for the time being, I would like it to stay. The whole idea of rap is rhythm and poetry, so one needs to write his or her own rap to be able to put it across convincingly," she said.

"I would want rap to stay too because there are a lot of meaningful messages which you can deliver to the audiences by way of rapping. Perhaps it will stay," she added.