Rap scene 'needs to know' about South Asian culture

Sliime is a rising star in the rap scene, and he is making a name for himself with his unique sound and powerful lyrics. Recently, he was thrilled to find out that his latest track was added to the 1Xtra playlist, a significant achievement for any emerging artist. Sliime, who is known for his bright green puffer jacket and signature black scarf that covers the lower half of his face, expressed his excitement about being featured alongside renowned artists like Kendrick Lamar, Skepta, and Tyler, the Creator. His journey began in 2023 with the viral hit Lehenga, which gained millions of streams on TikTok. Now, with his new song Bengali, he aims to delve deeper into his identity and heritage through his music. Sliime shared with BBC Asian Network News, 'I would've never expected to actually be acknowledged, as a South Asian, by the wider audience. ' This statement reflects his joy and surprise at receiving recognition in a predominantly Western music industry. The success of Lehenga was overwhelming for Sliime at first, but performing it at various events and receiving positive feedback from fans helped him realize the impact of his music. He noted that after witnessing how much the song resonated with South Asian audiences, he felt inspired to celebrate his culture more explicitly in his new track Bengali. 'Before that, I wasn't really catering my music to the South Asian audience,' he admitted. 'But then once I realized how much that song meant to South Asians, I realized what I needed to do. ' Sliime's desire to showcase his culture and serve as a role model for young South Asians is evident in his work. He believes that representation matters and wants to inspire others to embrace their heritage. Sliime's background is also an essential part of his story. His mother moved to the UK from Bangladesh, and he grew up in an environment where he didn't have many South Asian peers. It wasn't until recently that he began to explore his roots and understand the significance of his heritage. According to the last census in 2021, there were just under 650,000 people in the UK who identified as Bangladeshi, making up about 1% of the total population. Sliime pointed out, 'We've been here for like half a century. I just feel like it's not in the spotlight. But that's what I'm here for. ' He aims to change the narrative surrounding South Asians in the UK, particularly in the music industry. Sliime's new song Bengali addresses the historical migration of South Asian people to the UK and challenges the stereotypes that often surround them. He stated, 'The stereotype people say is that we take jobs, but really and truly we're making jobs. ' He wants to highlight the contributions of South Asians and ensure that their stories are heard. By being featured on the 1Xtra playlist, Sliime hopes to introduce a broader audience to Bengali culture and inspire aspiring rappers to pursue their dreams. He understands the struggles that many South Asians face in trying to fit in and wants to create a space where they can feel proud of their identity. 'I'm stuck in between showing the rest of the world what we're about but also representing people that are growing up just like me, making sure they're not feeling left out,' he explained. Sliime's mission is to ensure that future generations of South Asians do not have to hide their identities. He believes that when young people see someone who looks like them and shares similar experiences, it can have a profound impact on their self-esteem and sense of belonging.