Faisal Macroo, known as MacStar, is a rising star in the rap scene of Kashmir. His journey into music began with a passion for storytelling, where he used rap as a way to express his thoughts and experiences. Through his music, MacStar aims to connect with the youth of Kashmir, highlighting their struggles and triumphs while creating an anthem of empowerment. His journey is not just about music, but about inspiring others to believe in their dreams, regardless of the challenges they face. With his upcoming album "FMB," MacStar is set to take his music to new heights, sharing a unique blend of hip-hop and Kashmir's rich cultural heritage.
Do You Know
I’ll never forget the moment I decided to bring gangster rap to Kashmir. This was more than just a style—it was a movement I believed in. I remember Rfa standing there, hesitant, telling me to let it go, warning me it could start conflicts we weren't ready for. But I was relentless. This was what I felt Kashmir needed—a real, raw sound that didn’t hold back. And so, we launched into it, unleashing the first wave of gangster rap the valley had ever seen.
And just as Rfa warned, conflicts erupted. Established rappers—MC Kash, SXR, Haze Kay, Shayan Banday, King, UTB, Uka Ubaid Taj—they all turned on us, rallying their followers against this new wave we were creating. They clung to Punjabi rap, resisting what they saw as a threat. They asked why we didn’t stick to the basics, why we’d go for something as bold as gangster rap. But I hit back—“If you’re not ready for this level, then why not try rapping in English, the so-called ‘international language’?”
Our beats were inspired by legends like Bohemia and Honey Singh, but we brought our own edge—dis battles, street rivalries, unfiltered truths. This wasn’t just music for us; it was a reflection of everything around us, from the raw power of the streets to the loyalty of our fans. And soon, our enemies felt that force. They’d hit us with their words, but we’d take every diss, every taunt, and spin it into our next track, layering our lyrics with every fight, every showdown. Each song carried the weight of those battles, and that’s what made our music feel more authentic, more... gangster.
Our tracks struck nerves, and they knew it. Rival groups scrambled to keep up, trying to outdo us, but we always seemed one step ahead. SXR and his crew even regrouped, bringing in Ahmer for backup, and they dropped their first gangster rap track. But it was me, and Rfa who set the standard when our song, Level 1, crossed two million views at a time when one million views was a big deal. Our fans were loyal, and the streets had our back.
Those early days of conflict and competition fueled us. We took every clash, every showdown, and channeled it into our music, letting the drama unfold in every verse. We weren’t just making music; we were dominating the game, pushing the limits of what rap could be here in Kashmir. And to this day, that fire, that edge—that’s the legacy we built from those battles, and it’s a history that’s still shaping the sound of Kashmiri rap.