Artist Biography
Svetha Yallapragada Rao professionally known as Raja Kumari is an Indian-American rapper, songwriter and singer from Claremont, California. Kumari is best known for her collaboration with notable artists including Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, Knife Party, Fall Out Boy. She is also notable for receiving as a songwriter, the BMI Pop Awards in 2016, being nominated to a Grammy award in February 2015, and featuring on BBC Asian Network programme Bobby Friction on July 5, 2016
Mass Appeal India has announced the signing of Grammy-nominated Indian-American rapper-singer-songwriter-dancer Raja Kumari, the first female rapper to sign with the label.
Born in California to Indian parents who emigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s, Kumari (real name: Svetha Rao) is on a “mission is to create art that blends her Indian roots with her American upbringing,” according to the announcement, with music that “fuses the rhythms she absorbed as a trained classical Indian dancer with her love for hip-hop.”
In announcing her signing to Mass Appeal India, Nas said, “When I first met Raja, I knew she was someone the world needs to hear. Her presence exudes confidence and individuality — a true artist with global appeal. We’re thrilled to have her on the team as the first lady of Mass Appeal India.”
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Svetha Rao |
| Nickname | Indian Princess (IP) |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Recording Artist |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters– 173 cm in meters– 1.73 m in feet inches– 5’ 8” |
| Weight (approx.) | in kilograms– 70 kg in pounds– 154 lbs |
| Figure Measurements (approx.) | 38-36-38 |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 11 January 1986 |
| Age (as in 2017) | 31 Years |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Arts in religious studies |
| Debut | Song Writing: Change Your Life (2013) rapper (Single): Mute (2016) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hobbies | Dancing, Playing musical instruments |
| Favourite Things | |
| Favourite Actor | Shahrukh Khan |
| Favourite Actress | Madhuri Dixit |
| Favourite Singers | A.R Rahman, Shakira, Taylor Swift |
| Favourite Colours | Black, Red, Golden |
| Boys, Affairs and More | |
| Marital Status | Not Known |
| Affairs/Boyfriends | Not Known |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Raja Kumari
- Does Raja Kumari smoke?: Not Known
- Does Raja Kumari drink alcohol?: Not Known
- Raja Kumari is an Indian-American singer, songwriter, and rapper who fuses classical Indian music with hip-hop style.
- She is a Los Angeles based and her parents immigrated to the U.S. from India.
- She is a trained Indian classical dancer (Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi) who started dancing at the age of 7.
- Her debut ‘Bharatanatyam’ performance on stage was at the age of 7, at a concert where Pandit Ravi Shankar was the chief guest.
- During the fifth standard, she discovered hip-hop album ‘The Score’ through the Fugees (an American hip hop group).
- As a teenager, she became a respected freestyle artist performing under the alias Indian Princess.
- After college, where she majored in South Asian religious studies, she decided to pursue her career in music.
- She started her career as a songwriter in 2013.
- She is well known for her collaboration with big artists like Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, Knife Party, and Fall Out Boy.
- She is a winner of the BMI Pop Awards in 2016 for co-writing the song ‘Centuries’ with Fall Out Boy.
