Ranveer Singh launches record label IncInk

New Delhi: A little over a month after his outing as a Mumbai slum dweller using rap music to break free in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, actor Ranveer Singh has announced the launch of his independent music record label IncInk.

Singh partners with Navzar Iranee, a filmmaker and music evangelist looking to launch and support artistes in India. The two turn entrepreneurs with this venture that aims to unearth music talent across the country. They launched their first single Zeher on Friday. Starting with rap and hip-hop music, the company intends to explore other genres soon. Pop artistes Anushka and Shikhar Yuvraj Manchanda have come on board as head of music.

“IncInk 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,” Singh said in a statement naming the first three talents to be launched- Kaam Bhari, SlowCheeta and Spitfire. Zeher has been written and performed by Kaam Bhari.

“We intend to sign and promote several more artistes, who are exploring various genres of music, in the days to come and showcase their beautiful music to India and the world. 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. 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,” Singh added.

Rap and hip-hop are poetry forms speaking of a revolution, how India is protesting against class structures, injustice, and social atrocities, Singh said. Hindustani rap and hip hop are telling our nation’s story and reality and IncInk wants to bring out the real poets of this generation.

“These ideas of connecting via truth and authentic expression, though not always agreeable, create a more inclusive conversation. This insight drove Ranveer and me to push our own boundaries and form IncInk,” Iranee said in a statement. “Rap allows for a bold and direct approach. We can speak our truths, learn, educate and maybe even inspire somebody outside of ourselves.”