By Willie Gordon Suting
Hope and optimism breathes through the lyrics of Symphonic Movement. As a band formed in 2013, it has come a long way. Praiselyson Lyngskor, Iarilang Shanpru, Ibamelarishisha Kharsohnoh, George War, Mejied Kyrpang Thangkhiew and Meailin Shanpru all hail from the locality of Lummawbah. They define their style as alternative conscious hip hop.
“Our lyrical content touches on the subject of our society which we live in, our day to day life as human beings, the positivity and negativity of it all,” says Lyngskor.
Symphonic Movement is socially-conscious, as their sound states. It wants to bring change into young minds through rap compositions. The members’ individual stories and perspectives could be felt in the lyrics.
Each member has his/her personal taste. But they agree shared influencers being 2 Pac, Joycner Lucas, Immortal Technique, Hopson Logic and Locksmith. Iarilang Shanpru is the youngest being 15 years of age. The other members are all in their twenties, and studying in college.
“Hip hop is a medium for us to spread positivity. We look into how music can touch hearts and change lives,” says Kharsohnoh.
Symphonic Movement was part of 101 India’s Anthem For The North East, collaborating with Feyago and local rappers Khasi Bloodz and Cryptographik Street Poets. It was received well throughout India, and garnered huge fan following mostly from Manipur and Mizoram. “It was a privilege. We learned a lot collaborating with such artistes. We can say Shillong has made a big impact on the national scene with hip hop artistes,” says War.
The hip hop scene in Shillong and India as a whole is growing, where there is a richness and diversity of artistes. Thangkhiew feels young artistes, especially, need to be promoted. “There should be artiste to artiste collaborations. We have to uplift one another so that the scene can benefit”, he says.
Society today has changed a lot compared to the 2000s. Hip hop is now seen as a key genre in the music scene.
“The whole association of hip hop with vulgarity has dissipated. People are curious about this style of music. The change in people’s outlook inspires us to work harder”, says Meailin.
Symphonic Movement has been making waves in the online world with their videos going viral. Their hit single Can’t Break Us received 1, 88, 000 views on You Tube. “Our member Thangkhiew is planning to release his EP soon. We are also planning to release one”, says Iarilang.
Symphonic Movement had performed in Sohra Festival, Independence Day concert and NEHU Varsity Fest. Lyngskor says the active pub and café scene in Shillong is also a boon to local artistes.
“The way I see it, Shillong is heading in the right direction. Because there are spaces for artistes to perform”.
Symphonic Movement count adl x kly, Banrap Wolf Lyngdoh, Samboklang L. Mawnai, Lamonte Pakyntein and Big Ri as influencers from the local scene. When asked on how Big Ri and Meba Ofilia’s EMA win inspires the band, Meailin says, “There is an immense sense of pride, love and support that we have for them. The win inspires us to push harder to reach such standards”.
Lyngskor also points out that You Tube and social media has been a huge boon to musicians.
Lyngskor has no formal training in music engineering. But it is through You Tube that he learned how to use a Digital Audio Workstation. “As the producer of the band, I create instrumentals, mix and master a track on my own. With technology within our grasp, anybody can learn anything online”, he says.
Symphonic Movement sees itself as an underground group not confined to the constraints of mainstream music. The desire for freedom of creative expression, they feel, should appeal not for all the masses.
When asked their message to young rappers, War says they should first respect pioneering artistes in the field. “There should be love and support for our local musicians. Also young artistes should make the best use of technology, and try to be as unique as possible”.