Appy Raja Biography: Who was Chetan Chandak? Star Chetan Chandak Biography, Career and Journey

Chhattisgarhi music world got a big shock when the news of the demise of popular rapper and singer Appy Raja alias Chetan Chandak came to light. At the age of just 32, he said goodbye to the world. He was suffering from serious health problems for the last few months and was undergoing treatment in Raipur.

After his death, fans, artists and music lovers paid emotional tribute to him on social media. But Appy Raja was not just a rapper. He was the voice of the new generation who worked to give recognition to Chhattisgarhi language on the stage of rap and hip-hop.

The journey started from a small town of Bastar

Appy Raja’s real name was Chetan Chandak. He was born in Bhanupratappur in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. It was not easy to make a mark in the world of music after coming out of the Naxal-affected Bastar region, but Chetan had decided at an early age that he wanted to do something different. He started writing rap when he was just 13-14 years old. At that time when there was no big platform for Chhattisgarhi rap, he dreamed of giving recognition to his language and his style.

Financial constraints stopped, but passion did not break

Appy Raja’s life was full of struggles. When he was studying in 11th class, his father suffered a heart attack. The financial condition of the family started weakening. His mother started sewing to run the household. To help the family, Appy went to Surat, Gujarat, where he worked in a clothing shop. His household expenses were covered by his job of a few thousand rupees, but his heart remained only in music. Ultimately he left the job and returned back to Chhattisgarh.

Got first big break from Punjab

The year 2015 proved to be the turning point of his life. After listening to his rap, a music company from Punjab called him for recording. This opportunity was like a dream for him. After reaching Punjab, he recorded his first professional rap. There he met many musicians, who recognized his talent. Punjabi music director Sarjit Sanu even gave him a place to live in his studio. It was from here that Appy Raja’s career started gaining momentum.

‘Tura Bhoko Lolo’ made him a star overnight

Appy Raja got his biggest recognition from his superhit rap song ‘Tura Bhoko Lolo’. The interesting thing is that he had written this song long ago, but he did not have money and resources for recording. When this song was released, it quickly went viral on social media. The youth took it in stride and within no time Appy Raja became the new sensation of Chhattisgarhi music.

Not just entertainment, songs were also made on social topics.

Appy Raja was not limited to only party or entertainment songs. He composed a rap named ‘Tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’ on former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Apart from this, he also composed many songs on Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Independence Day and social subjects. This was the reason why he was considered not only a rapper but also the voice of youth thinking.

There was tremendous craze on social media

Appy Raja’s popularity was not limited to Chhattisgarh only. He had about 2 lakh followers on Instagram, while about 6 lakh subscribers were associated with him on YouTube. Crores of views had come on his channel and his songs were very popular among the Chhattisgarhi community living in the country and abroad.

Appy Raja had become the identity of Chhattisgarhi rap.

At a time when Chhattisgarhi music was mainly limited to folk songs and traditional styles, Appy Raja gave a new identity to rap by connecting it with the local language and culture. He proved that a big market can be created for modern music even in regional languages. Even though Appy Raja is no longer among us today, his songs, his voice and his story full of struggle will always live as an inspiration for the coming generations.