Rapper King debuts in Lakke: I don’t follow a certain path
King rejected the idea of considering acting as a “leap into the mainstream” when he stepped into Lukka, and said he did not follow a set career path. The rapper-actor also talked about breaking hip-hop stereotypes and seeing music and acting as equal forms of art.
For many people entering the entertainment industry, acting is often seen as the final destination. So when King was announced as the lead for Prime Video’s upcoming show lakkheIt seemed to symbolize a leap into the mainstream. However, in an exclusive interview with India TodayThe rapper-songwriter dismissed that notion, seeming almost amused by the idea that he’s following a carefully planned career path.
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“Do you think I understand myself so well? I would know that after getting into music, I would do a series and become a star. And then I would start the journey of becoming an actor because I secretly always wanted to be an actor. Absolutely not, never,” he said.
King further rejected the idea of everything being decided in advance, insisting that he does not view music and acting as competitive spaces. He shared that at the end of the day, he is still creating art, and that’s what makes him happy as an artist.
He said, “How the world sees it, whether people think this guy is making some different leaps or believe that acting is somehow bigger than music, that’s their point of view. To me, music is music, and acting is acting. They’re both arts, and to me are the same. I think society creates these levels according to its thinking. Some people think music is beneath films, and vice versa. But I don’t let it get into my mind, I’ll do both, and I do it wholeheartedly.” “I will do both.”
The conversation then turned to hip-hop and the stereotypes that continue to follow rappers everywhere. Because even now, rap culture is often tied to a projected image of drugs, alcohol, luxury cars and women. and together lakkheThe story also revolves around drugs and crime, leading us to wonder what led King to embrace it, and whether he hopes to subvert those ideas.
The rapper acknowledged that this stereotype exists, but clarified that the character in the project was never written from that lens.
He said, “First of all, this character is not entering with three girls next to him or two luxury cars parked there. Let me be clear… Look, rap and hip-hop are street styles. They come from the streets. And the streets are not avocado toast, they are bread and butter. Anyone who goes from a bread-and-butter life to an avocado life shares that entire experience.”
“And a good actor should show that. Even in this show, you will see on one side the life of OG (Shivankit’s character) and his hip-hop lifestyle. And then you will see another side, the Dalit side, which is like me,” the actor said.
“There’s not always a bright side to everything. Especially not with a genre like hip-hop. It comes from a very serious place, and it totally depends on the artist. As life changes and they grow up, how they want to thrive and present life also changes. Some people flex the chains, some flex the lyrics. But at the end of the day, we’re all poets,” he said, acknowledging that rap culture Naturally reflecting how artists choose to present their success.
The action-packed series, set against the backdrop of underground music, also stars Lakshvir Saran, Palak Tiwari, Raashi Khanna and Shivankit Singh Parihar, among others.
Directed by Himank Gaur, lakkhe Set to premiere on May 8.