Lady Kash (born as Kalaivani Nagaraj, in 1990) is a Singaporean-Tamil rapper and songwriter. She founded the independent record label AKASHIK in 2013. In 2018, she collaborated with Poongani Amma to release the bilingual hip-hop song "Villupaattu," which featured Villu Paatu (a type of storytelling through music).
Kash has worked with several established Indian film composers, including A. R. Rahman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Anirudh Ravichander, Santhosh Narayanan, Harris Jayaraj, and Thaman S.
Early life and education Kalaivani Nagaraj was born in Singapore and later moved to Thanjavur, India, as a teenager to pursue her studies. She began her career as a rapper and songwriter in 2007.
Professional career In 2010, she co-wrote and recorded "Irumbile Oru Irudhaiyam” with A. R. Rahman. The song was featured in the Indian Tamil-language film Enthiran.
In January 2014, Kash made her Bollywood debut with the song "Wanna Mash Up?," composed by A. R. Rahman, for the film Highway.
In July 2016, Kash was featured in "Hai Futsal," the official anthem of Premier Futsal, composed by and featuring A. R. Rahman, Virat Kohli, and Karthik. That same year, she released her rendition of "Neruppu Da," a song from the film Kabali. The track was released by AKASHIK in conjunction with Think Music India.
In 2017, Kash released 'Rap Smash,' a medley of A. R. Rahman compositions rearranged as rap tracks, released as a video. She released a rework of Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" and identified as part of her engagement with the #MeToo movement. Since then, she has released "I Told You So" in February 2018 and "Villupaattu" on March 29, 2018.
In 2021, she participated in the Tamil edition of the reality show Survivor, filmed in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and produced by Zee Tamil and Banijay Asia.
In 2023, her hip-hop single, "Two Cents," was used in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Never Have I Ever.
Performance history Kash has performed internationally in Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Dubai, and India. During A. R. Rahman's 2014 Infinite Love concert tour, she performed "Irumbile Oru Irudhaiyam" alongside him. She also performed "Rap War" during his Nenje Ezhu concert tour series in 2016 (held in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai), and "Rap War 2.0" at A. R. Rahman Live in Dubai in 2017.
In 2017, she performed at desiFEST in Yonge-Dundas Square (now Sankofa Square) and appeared twice with Anirudh Ravichander during his concerts in Singapore in 2014 and 2016.
Discography
Originals Record Category Track language Original artist Lyrics Music composer Additional vocals Mix Master Format Label Release Notes Villupaattu Original Tamil/English Lady Kash Lady Kash Balamurali Balu V.M. Mahalingam Sunny M. R. - Mumbai, India Sunny M. R. - Mumbai, India Digital Download AKASHIK 29 March 2018 Bilingual hip-hop/rap single with a music video released on April 15, 2018 I Told You So Original English Lady Kash Lady Kash Steve Cliff Valentine, Kirishan Suresh Divya Vivekanandan Studio Fourteen - Toronto, Canada Studio Fourteen - Toronto, Canada Digital Download AKASHIK 22 February 2018 Hiphop/rap single with a music video released on 27 March 2018Running In The Same SpaceSingleEnglishLady KashLady KashLayaJeson Huang, MalaysiaJeson Huang, MalaysiaDigital DownloadAKASHIK7 April 2023
Soundtracks & projects Record Category Movie Language Track o-Singer(s) Lyrics Music composer Label Release NotesThala KeezhaSoundtrackCoffee with Kadhal (Tamil)TamilNithyashree VenkataramananSnehanYuvan Shankar RajaU1 Records11 October 2022 OMG DaddySoundtrackAla Vaikunthapurramuloo (Telugu)Telugu/EnglishRahul Sipligunj, Roll Rida, Blaaze, Rahul NambiarKrishna Chaitanya S. ThamanAditya Music23 February 2020 (music video)Enga Kayila Natta KudungaSoundtrackAdutha Saattai (Tamil)TamilChellankuppam SubramaniyanYugabharathiJustin PrabhakaranMuzik2477 August 2019Kalla Kalavaani (Tamil)/Nannu Nammanee (Telugu)SoundtrackChekka Chivantha Vaanam (Tamil)/ Nawab (Telugu)Tamil/Telugu/EnglishShakthisree GopalanVairamuthu and Lady Kash (Tamil)/ Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry (Telugu)A. R. RahmanSony Music 5 September 2018 Supermodel Soundtrack Graghanam (Tamil)/Grahanam (Telugu) Tamil/English Lady Kash Sundaramurthy K.S. U1 Records 2 May 2017 -Mission To SydneySoundtrackSi3 (Tamil)Tamil/EnglishLady Kash, HariHarris JayarajEros Music27 November 2016 -Kaatril AeriSoundtrackParandhu Sella Va (Tamil)Tamil/EnglishJoshua SridharNa. Muthukumar, Lady KashJoshua SridharSaregama2 October 2016 -Neruppu DaSoundtrackKabaliTamilLady Kash, Arunraja KamarajSanthosh NarayananAKASHIK / Think Music India14 July 2016Exclusive Version released by AKASHIK in collaboration with Santhosh Narayanan / Think Music IndiaWanna Mash UpSoundtrackHighway (Hindi)EnglishSuvi Suresh, KrissyLady Kash, KrissyA. R. RahmanT-Series24 January 2014 - Oh PenneSoundtrackVanakkam ChennaiTamil/EnglishAnirudh RavichanderLady KashAnirudh RavhichanderAKASHIK / Sony Music India17 October 2013Original Version released by AKASHIK in collaboration with Anirudh Ravichander / Sony Music IndiaPickle JarSoundtrackPickles The Movie (Tamil/English)Tamil/EnglishKrissy, MKLady Kash, Krissy, MKTR Krishna ChetanTantra18 June 2011 - Hold OnSoundtrackPickles The Movie (Tamil/English)Tamil/EnglishLady Kash TR Krishna ChetanTantra18 June 2011 - Bul BulSoundtrackDevadas (Kannada)Kannada/EnglishShashankLady Kash, V. Nagendra PrasadJoshua SridharJhankar Music13 May 2011 - Priyankari Remix SoundtrackThe Thriller (Malayalam)Malayalam/EnglishBenny Dayal, Mamta Mohandas, KrissyLady Kash, Hari NarayananDharan KumarManorama Music17 November 2010 - Ileana IleanaSoundtrackHuduga Hudugi (Kannada)Kannada/EnglishBenny Dayal, RitaLady Kash, KavirajJoshua SridharAnand Audio12 November 2010 - Bathing At CannesSoundtrackEngeyum Kaadhal (Tamil)Tamil/EnglishEmcee Jesz, Ranina Reddy, KrissyLady Kash, Emcee JeszHarris JayarajSony Music8 November 2010 - Gaana BhajanaSoundtrackGaana Bajaana (Kannada)Kannada/EnglishJoshua Sridhar, Sayanora PhillipLady Kash, SinchanaJoshua SridharAnand Audio29 October 2010 - Naina MileySoundtrackThe Robot (Hindi)Hindi/EnglishA. R. Rahman, Suzanne D’Mello, KrissyLady Kash, Swanand Kirkire, KrissyA. R. RahmanVenus14 August 2010 - IrumbileSoundtrackEnthiran - The Robot (Tamil)Tamil/EnglishA. R. Rahman, KrissyLady Kash, Madhan Karky, KrissyA. R. RahmanThink Music India31 July 2010 - DocheySoundtrackPuli (Telugu)Telugu/EnglishShreya Goshal, KrissyLady Kash, Chandrabose, KrissyA. R. RahmanSony Music11 July 2010 - Pappu HippoSoundtrackPappu (Telugu)Telugu/EnglishYashwanth, Radhika, Phani KalyanLady KashPhani KalyanAditya Music25 June 2010 -
Projects Record Category Track language Original Artist Lyrics Music composer Additional vocals Mix Master Format Label Release NotesCan You Hear The WorldProjectTamil/EnglishBhavatharini, Lady Kash, Various artistsLady Kash, Shalini SinghBhavathariniA R Raihanah, Aishwarya R Dhanush, Shalini Singh & Various artistsM Kumaraguruparan, U1 Records - Chennai, IndiaM Kumaraguruparan, U1 Records - Chennai, IndiaDigital DownloadU1 Records8 March 2018In honour of International Women's Day 2018Rap War 2.0ProjectTamil/EnglishLady Kash, Sri Rascol, ADKLady Kash, Sri Rascol, ADK, Respective SongwritersA. R. Rahman -Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaPanchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaLive PerformanceA. R. Rahman17 March 2017A. R. Rahman Live in DubaiNaam Hai FutsalProjectHindi/EnglishA. R. Rahman, Virat Kohli, Lady Kash, KarthikLady Kash, DDB Mudra GroupA. R. Rahman -Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaPanchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaDigital DownloadUnisys Music13 July 2016Premier Futsal AnthemRap WarProjectTamil/EnglishLady Kash, Blaaze, ADKLady Kash, Blaaze, ADK, Respective SongwritersA. R. Rahman -Panchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaPanchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaLive PerformanceA. R. Rahman16 January 2016Nenje Ezhu - Concert tour series covering Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai for flood relief efforts & A. R. Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSemmozhiyaana Tamizh MozhiyaamProjectTamilA. R. Rahman, Lady Kash, Various artistsM. KarunanidhiA. R. RahmanT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, Hariharan, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Bombay Jayashri, Chinmayi, Harini & Various artistsPanchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaPanchattan Studios / AM Studios - Chennai, IndiaDigital DownloadA. R. Rahman15 May 2010More than 50 artists/musicians of Indian origin came together for the Anthem of the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010
Renditions Record Category Track language Original artist Lyrics Music composer Music Production Additional vocals Mix Master Format Label Release NotesBodak Yellow – Lady KashRemix/ReworkEnglishCardi BLady KashJWhiteDidItKrishmusic -Studio FlyVision - Paris, FranceStudio FlyVision - Paris, FranceDigital DownloadAKASHIK10 December 2017Released in support of the #MeToo movement focusing on empowermentRap Smash – Lady KashRemix/ReworkTamil/EnglishLady Kash, Respective artistsLady Kash, Respective SongwritersA. R. RahmanBalamurali Balu -Sunny M.R. - Mumbai, IndiaSunny M.R. - Mumbai, IndiaDigital DownloadAKASHIK6 January 2017 First-ever medley consisting of A. R. Rahman's popular rap hits which was released with a one-take music video on the composer's 50th birthdayDesi Kalakaar – Lady KashRemix/ReworkTamil/Hindi/EnglishYo Yo Honey SinghLady Kash, Yo Yo Honey SinghYo Yo Honey SinghDJ AKSYo Yo Honey SinghReaks Records - Dubai, UAEReaks Records - Dubai, UAEDigital DownloadAKASHIK26 October 2014Collaboration with DJ AKS; winner of World Top DJs AwardsThis Is Love – Lady Kash, KrissyRemix/ReworkTamil/Englishwill.i.am, Eva SimonsLady Kash, Krissy, William Adams, Eva Simons, Steve Angello, Mike Hamilton, Sebastian Ingross, Max Martinwill.i.am, Steve Angello, Sebastian IngrossoCharles Bosco -Bosco Studios - London, United KingdomJemi Sitanayah - IndonesiaDigital DownloadIndependent Release7 August 2013Desi rework produced in London, United KingdomReplay – Lady KashRemix/ReworkEnglishIyazLady Kash, J.R. Rotem, Jason Derulo, Sean Kingston, Timothy Thomas, Theron Thomas, Keidran JonesJ.R. RotemEdward SandersIyazEdward Sanders - Los Angeles, USAEdward Sanders - Los Angeles, USADigital DownloadIndependent Release14 February 2013Valentine's Day edition
Collaboration Record Category Track language Original artist Lyrics Music composer Additional vocals Mix Master Format Label Release NotesAdiyeCollaborationTamil/EnglishLady Kash, Abhay JodhpurkarLady Kash, Jeffrey JonathanJeffrey JonathanA R Raihanah, Aishwarya R Dhanush, Shalini Singh & Various artistsVinod Verma - Mumbai, IndiaVinod Verma - Mumbai, IndiaDigital DownloadSony Music South12 November 2015Music video filmed in IndiaKuppaiCollaborationTamil/EnglishRahul Nambiar, Lady Kash, KrissyLady Kash, Rahul Nambiar, Naveen Madhav, KrissyRahul NambiarPDMS - Mumbai, IndiaPDMS - Mumbai, IndiaDigital DownloadChannel 73 November 2014Music video filmed in IndiaSirithuCollaborationTamil/EnglishSarangan, Lady Kash, KrissyLady Kash, Pa. Vijay, Krissy, SaranganSarangan SriranganathanMulti Facet International - Sydney, AustraliaMulti Facet International - Sydney, AustraliaDigital DownloadSarangan Music16 August 2013Music video filmed in AustraliaHey PenneyCollaborationTamil/EnglishJMal, Lady Kash, KrissyLady Kash, Yuwaji, KrissyDamian MikhailShugar Studios - Petaling Jaya, MalaysiaShugar Studios - Petaling Jaya, MalaysiaDigital DownloadContinental Records28 July 2013Music video filmed in MalaysiaWithout Your LoveCollaborationEnglishLady Kash, Mez Mariyé, KrissyLady Kash, Mez Mariyé, KrissyMetrognomeTR Krishna Chetan - Chennai, IndiaTR Krishna Chetan - Chennai, IndiaDigital DownloadIndependent Release7 May 2013Music video filmed in Singapore
Television
Year Show Role Channel2021 Survivor Participant Zee Tamil
References
External links Discography | Lady Kash