Gully Boy star Ranveer Singh launches his independent music label IncInk

Actor Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Navzar Eranee launched their independent music label IncInk in Mumbai on Friday. The label will look to unearth new talent in the Indian music scene and present them to a global audience. Ranveer, who starred in and contributed vocals to Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy earlier this year, plans to support the burgeoning hip-hop scene in India through his venture, besides exploring other genres in the future.

“Hindustani rap/hip hop is telling our nation’s story and reality and we at Inc Ink want to bring out the real poets of our generation. Inc Ink literally means writing your own story and I’m inspired and thrilled to be starting this passion project that aims to affect social change. I hope that we can present some of the strongest, boldest voices of Indian youth to the world,” Ranveer said.

The first three talents to be launched under IncInk are rappers Kaam Bhaari (Kunal Pandagale), Spitfire (Nitin Mishra) and SlowCheeta (Chaitnya Sharma). Kaam Bhaari and Spitfire were featured on the Gully Boy soundtrack.

“We intend to sign and promote several more artists, who are exploring various genres of music, in the days to come and showcase their beautiful music to India and the world," Ranveer said. "As an outsider in Bollywood, I have always wanted to do my bit to bring out and support the outstanding talent that we have in every street of our country. So, when Navzar and I came up with the idea of IncInk, it appealed to my core, my heart. Inc Ink is my passion and I intend to use this platform to give as many artists, from across the country, a chance to dazzle India with their talent.

IncInk released their first single, Zeher, written and performed by Kaam Bhaari and  produced by Shikhar Yuvraj Manchanda (a.k.a. RĀKHIS) on Friday. Speaking about his new collaboration with Ranveer, co-founder Navzar Eranee said, “As an artist with a point of view, I grew tired of the safe conversations and diplomacy driven by economic interests. I want to connect with people. These connections via truth and authentic expression, though not always agreeable, create a more inclusive conversation. This insight drove Ranveer and I to push our own boundaries and form IncInk. Anushka Manchanda a.k.a. Nuka & Shikhar Manchanda a.k.a. RĀKHIS came on board as our Head of Music."

About the decision to start their independent label by launching rap and hip-hop artists, Navzar added, “Rap allows for a bold and direct approach. We can speak our truths, learn, educate and maybe even inspire somebody outside of ourselves. Oppression must be faced with bravery and creativity. We often face injustice every day. By bringing these subjects to light through art, we can recognise them and take action. Rap lends truth to the idea that art is mightier than the sword.”