The ongoing impact of the coronavirus crisis has reshaped perspectives and pursuits for many, including 21-year-old Delhi resident Vikas Baghel. Facing unemployment after finishing college, Vikas, from a lower-middle-class background, decided to devote his time during lockdown to writing. This decision led him to create his first hip-hop track centered around the coronavirus lockdown, which has been gaining traction on social media and gathering popularity.

Crafting a music video under lockdown conditions with limited resources posed significant challenges. Here’s Vikas Baghel’s journey in his own words:

“I completed my diploma in mass communication in 2019 and worked as an anchor and scriptwriter at an online news channel for a year and a half. Later, I ventured into YouTube, focusing on bike reviews with a friend’s camera. Eventually, I bought a microphone and began shooting and editing videos at home.”

“During the lockdown, when my computer broke down, preventing me from uploading videos, I turned to writing, a passion of mine. Inspired by hip-hop music and artists like Raftaar, I aimed to create something meaningful rather than mere bravado.”

“My song addresses three themes: post-COVID-19 lifestyle changes, the plight of frontline workers, and the struggles of migrant workers. It took me 15 days to write, and I shared the rough cut with friends and neighbors, who appreciated it.”

“Recording posed a financial hurdle until an old friend helped me secure studio time at Loyal Studio in Tughlakabad, marking my first recording experience. Despite setbacks, including my video editor contracting COVID-19, we persevered, filming at an old building near Kondli Road once my friend recovered.”

“After editing, we uploaded the final video on June 8, 2020, and began promoting it on social media with support from friends and family. Although my parents, particularly my father, questioned the practicality of pursuing music as a career given our financial constraints, they have always supported my endeavors.”

“Academically, I’m the most qualified in my family, yet I haven’t secured a stable job. While my YouTube earnings have been modest, I aim to prove to my parents that music can be a viable profession. I recently released my second song in collaboration with another rapper and am already working on a third, exploring social issues close to my heart, from women’s rights to broader themes of humanity.”

Vikas Baghel’s story underscores resilience, creativity, and determination amid adversity, highlighting the transformative power of pursuing passion against all odds.