Arbaz is an upcoming name in Indian Hip Hop, Arbaz Ansari (AK RAPX), born on 19 January 2001 in Andheri, Mumbai. With his keen verses and self-informed beats, he’s a unique two-pronged artist who wins over the hearts of the world’s fans. AK RAPX came up in the dirty streets of Gilbert Hill Road and had surrounded himself with a lot of hardship but music was his calling. Inspired by rap legends such as XXXTentacion and 2Pac he began rapping in the 10th grade refusing a normal career.
His career took off with Facebook rap videos, which raked in massive online popularity driving him to world over. In 2022, he dropped his project One Side Killer as the finale came in the form of a single on 27th February 2022, and it was a hint of his lyrical and the production skills he possesses. Self learnt from YouTube tutorials, AK RAPX fuses the unadulterated power of rap to the Indian sur and taal to form a unique sound. He was born to father, and mother, Taslim and Firdos Ansari and he grew up with siblings Imran, Rajiya and Ruksar and went up to 10th grade Bharati Vidya Mandir Hindi Night High School. Apart from music, he dreams (literally) of taking his parents on Hajj which is a trait that speaks volumes of the man’s deep down value system. AK RAPX is bringing Indian hip-hop back with authenticity and mindset.
AK RAPX emerged from a humble start with rap videos shared on Facebook. His natural talent soon attracted an online community which made him a viral sensation. This support allowed his music to cross boundaries, and listeners in India, and around the world. 2022 has seen the drop of his ambitious project One Side Killer with the release of tracks throughout the year culminating with the finale and title track which he pushed on February 27th 2022. The project captured his lyrical depth and production skills solidifying his reputation for being a creative force.
It is his self taught journey that has made AK RAPX outstanding. Lacking the ability to attend music classes, he shrewdly sought YouTube where he learned from the techniques of famous rappers. “I figured out everything on my own,” says (he), crediting perseverance and faith with his success. His music speaks to rap’s ability to wake, to stir, to compel, and he incorporates Indian music elements such as sur and taal which he found out about through rap.
The child of Taslim Ansari, homemaker and Firdos Ansari, AK RAPX was raised in close quarters with his siblings, brother Imran Ansari and sisters Rajiya and Ruksar Ansari. He then pursued Bharati Vidya Mandir Hindi Night High School up till the 10th grade and during the period his taste for music began to materialize. Andheri, the place of his birth city Mumbai still influences in his sound and storytelling to a large extent.
Besides musical ambitions, AK RAPX dreams of meeting a private target: his parents on a pilgrimage the Hajj . It indicates his origin in values and humility even as his career moves up. He is an important part of the Bombay hip-hop scene, a resident of the hoods from which it emerged and a pioneer with ambitions to extend its horizons.
AK RAPX’s is the story of determination and potential. Redefining Indian Hip-hop on his way up from Mumbai’s narrow lanes to a global stage, every beat and verse. As he continues to churn out and motivate, AK RAPX is a name meant to go even higher than where it is today. Tune in to hear more from this up and comer.
