CHENNAI: Where words fail, music speaks.” This quote by Hans Christian Andersen has intrigued many to channel their emotions through the meticulous art form. For many, it’s a passion, but for Dev Anand (stage name Devoid), an amateur rapper and MBA gold medalist, it transcends mere hobby, being a medium for empathy, healing, and catharsis.
Hailing from Thirupachethi village in Madurai, his journey took an unexpected turn after he became the victim of an abduction, planned by a disgruntled investor of his brother’s. after a performance. To sow and reap the 18+-hour ordeal through his raw emotion, he comes out with an album of 13 songs, Real Isai Naadagam, on April 13. “I felt compelled to share my stories more deeply, to let others know they’re not alone in their struggles. The process of curating the album began on the same day of my rescue, starting with ‘Knife Point’, a cathartic expression of my pent-up fear and anger,” shares Dev.
The album delves into a spectrum of emotions — fear, anger, sadness, growth, and hope — examining the event’s impact on his relationships and common themes one can relate to. “I encountered backlash and rumours that I faked the ordeal to gain entry into the music industry. This spurred me to release the album with my close companions, Gang 30.”
Reflecting on the aftermath of the abduction, Dev says, “It was a difficult time. I had to disassociate my brother from the family for safety, saw friends drift away due to the looming threat around me, and the pressure exerted by my girlfriend’s family to part ways. What remained as a constant source of inspiration, was my music, giving birth to the raw and confessional lyrics.”
A hip-hop enthusiast since the age of six, Dev penned his first song in college, garnering attention. Drawing inspiration from legends like Akon, Nas, and Eminem, he embarked on a journey to elevate Tamil hip-hop to new heights.“As someone primarily raised speaking Hindi and English in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools across India, Tamil wasn’t my forte. But, I was determined to master lyricism in my mother tongue, fusing the rhythms of hip hop with ancient poetic traditions,” he says.
The new album will be available on over 50 audio platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.