And, it’s a rap about Naga culture 

In the rich and diverse music scenario that permeates almost every corner of northeast India, one voice truly stands out today. Moko Koza not only enthrals the audience with his voice and energetic performance on the stage, he does so while talking about raging issues such as alcohol abuse and ethnic discords among people. Meet the Kohima-based rapper and hip-hop artiste who is highlighting the native culture and tribal heritage as well as contemporary matters through his Nagamese verses. 

“The different tribes in Nagaland speak different dialects. Nagamese is the common language spoken by everyone in the state,” the 28-year-old singer told Village Square in an exclusive interview. 

Koza, who has about 2.20 lakh followers on YouTube and almost 50,000 followers on Instagram, has brought out 30 songs so far. His song titled ‘Naga manu’ has gathered 2.9 million views in two years since its release as part of his debut album. 

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“It’s a satirical piece that appreciates where I am from and at the same time talks about the state of corruption in Nagaland,” said Koza, who belongs to the Chakhesang tribe and originally hails from Phek district. 

Songs for and about the community

Though many of his songs use English lyrics too, Koza makes a conscious attempt to fuse folk music with rap. For instance, he uses the tati, a traditional one-stringed instrument, in his songs. 

“It has a very distinct sound, you will instantly know it is the Naga instrument,” he said. “So my music is kind of unique while retaining the essence of hip-hop.” 

Some of his songs also have English lyrics through which he aims to tell everyone about Nagaland and its people. 

“When people think of music from Nagaland, they picture a traditional musician,” he explained. “I wanted to tell them about what is actually going on in the state. We are facing challenges due to corruption and the drug menace, and despite it being a dry state, alcohol is sold in black in Nagaland,” he added. 

Koza minces no words in his lyrics, which often end up offending people in power. But he is sure this is the route he wants to take. 

“As a musician, I do want to offend people when it matters,” he said. “But the common listeners appreciate it also, saying I am using the platform correctly to give their feelings a voice.”

With growing popularity, he now feels he has a responsibility towards people. He is often sent videos of children as young as four years old singing his songs. 

“When I see those videos, I feel I cannot mess it up now,” he said. 

Baggy clothes, thick chains and Eminem

Koza’s foray into rap music began when he was about 10 years old. By the time he was in 9th class, he had started writing his own songs. 

“As a kid I got interested in hip-hop after seeing the artistes wearing baggy clothes and big chains on TV,”  he laughed. “Even when my mother was busy cooking, I used to rap in front of her. But I always got good grades in school, so it was never an issue at home,” added Koza, who grew up with five siblings in a household run by his father who retired from a government job in 2013. He lost his father during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

When Koza began writing the lyrics, love songs were all that came to him. 

“My initial songs were about my exes and all,” he smiled. “At that time, I didn’t know any better. Gradually I found my voice. Hiphop came from the streets and represented the singers’ roots, and this is what I am doing right now.” 

Like many other young rappers around the world, Koza gives a big part of the credit for his hip-hop journey to Eminem.

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“He brought out the drive in me to pursue music,” Koza said. “Eminem started out with nothing. And he was always bold and truthful about what he was saying. I felt connected to him.” 

Music was a big part of Koza’s college years too, with regular campus performances. His parents, however, wanted him to take up a government job. But things took a turn right after he finished his post-graduation in anthropology from the Kohima Science College. 

“I got a call from the record label, Infinity Ink, in Dimapur to sign me up as an artiste. I felt it was my calling to be a musician,” Koza said, recounting that the initial years were tough and his family supported him financially for the first two years before he began getting steady offers for performances. 

Focus on Naga identity

Koza now wants his music to carry a message. And a cause close to his heart is unity among the Naga people.

“There are 16 tribes in Nagaland. We don’t speak the same language,” he said. “There is a lot of division between us, and also with the Nagas who live in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. I wanted to unite all the Nagas.” 

His performances also involve an appeal from him to the community to take pride in the whole umbrella of the Naga identity. He is now working on new lyrics to bring out an EP consisting of only Nagamese songs. But it will not be just about songs on social issues. 

“If I only write about those, people will get bored. So it is going to be a mix of subjects,” Koza added, revealing that one of the songs, titled “Baki nai”, will be about the one friend that all of us have who evades paying back the money owed to you. 

And while Koza ensures food for the soul through his music, he is also bringing to the table food of the more ordinary kind. He has invested in a restaurant in Kohima. It’s named Muodi Ki, after the traditional Angami meat delicacy, the authentic recipe of which is carefully guarded by the community.

“I hope it brings in the money when I get grey-haired,” Koza quipped. 

His fans would be happy that that time is a long way off. And that until then, they can look forward to him satisfying the hungry stomachs – and souls. 

Also Read: A Tangkhul Naga writer’s quest to keep his community’s memories alive

The lead image on top depicts rapper Moko Koza from Nagaland. (Photo courtesy Asalie Peseyie)

Pallavi Srivastava is Associate Director – Content at Village Square.