Paal Dabba
{{Short description|Indian rapper}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Paal Dabba
| birth_name = Anish
| alias = Paal Dabba
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|01|17}}
| occupation = Musician, Songwriter, Dancer, Choreographer
| label = Think Music India
}}
Anish (born 17 January 2000), better known by his stage name Paal Dabba, is an Indian rapper, singer, songwriter and choreographer{{Cite news |last=Iyengar |first=Mahalaxmi |date=2019-06-03 |title=From Chennai streets to World of Dance |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/from-chennai-streets-to-world-of-dance/article27414750.ece |access-date=2024-08-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is best known for his singles 170CM, Galatta (from "Aavesham"), and Kaathu Mela.{{Cite web |title=Paal Dabba – Future of Music |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/future-of-music-2024/paal-dabba-future-of-music-2024/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}
Early life
Anish was born in Pulianthope, Tamil Nadu and then shifted to Vyasarpadi. He was a professional dancer before transitioning to the music industry.{{Cite news |last=Iyengar |first=Mahalaxmi |date=2019-06-03 |title=From Chennai streets to World of Dance |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/from-chennai-streets-to-world-of-dance/article27414750.ece |access-date=2024-08-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} As a member of the Bfab dance crew, he participated in various reality shows and won national competitions like Breezer Vivid Shuffle 2019.{{Cite web |last=Sudeep |first=Theres |title=Popular dance crew wins hiphop event |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/popular-dance-crew-wins-hiphop-event-768897.html |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}} Later, he ventured into rapping, adopting the stage name "Paal Dabba", inspired by his love for cold milk.{{Cite news |last=Ganesh |first=Sanjana |date=2024-05-15 |title=Tamil rapper Paal Dabba on his Chennai roots, camp costumes and cryptic clues in songs |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/tamil-rapper-paal-dabba-on-his-chennai-roots-camp-costumes-and-cryptic-clues-in-songs/article68174310.ece |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}
Career
Anish started his career professionally in 2022 with his single "3SHA" while he was a part of Bfab Dance Crew.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNHtCxxSFTY |title=PAAL DABBA – 3SHA {{!}} (Official Music video) |date=2022-06-11 |last=Bfab Dance Crew |access-date=2024-08-23 |via=YouTube}} The track gained significant recognition. In 2023, he performed the song "His Name Is John" from the unreleased movie Dhruva Natchathiram.{{Cite news |last=Hindu |first=The |date=2023-07-19 |title='Dhruva Natchathiram': 'His Name Is John' song from Gautham Menon-Vikram's film out |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dhruva-natchathiram-his-name-is-john-song-from-gautham-menon-vikrams-film-out/article67097152.ece |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} The same year, he released "170CM" through Think Music Indie, which was featured in Apple's 'Work is worth it' campaign.{{Cite web |title=Apple launches 'Work is worth it' Mac campaign in India |url=https://www.fonearena.com/blog/426426/apple-work-is-worth-it-mac-campaign-india.html |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=www.fonearena.com}}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Apple India's latest campaign for Mac highlights tenacity of college students |url=https://campaignbriefasia.com/2024/06/10/apple-indias-latest-campaign-for-mac-highlights-tenacity-of-college-students/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Campaign Brief Asia |language=en-AU}} The track received critical acclaim.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Homegrown |date=2023-09-20 |title=Tamil Rapper Paal Dabba's New Music Video Is An Inspired, Pop Culture-Laced Acid Trip |url=https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-creators/tamil-rapper-paal-dabbas-new-music-video-is-an-inspired-pop-culture-laced-acid-trip |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Homegrown |language=en}}
In 2024, He sang for the song "Galatta", featuring Sushin Shyam and Vinayak Sasikumar from the one of the highest grossing Indian films of 2024, Aavesham.{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-03-12 |title=Second single 'Galatta' from Fahadh Faasil's Aavesham out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Mar/12/second-single-galatta-from-fahadh-faasils-aavesham-out |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}} The track received over 30 million streams, charting in Top 100 in India & UAE Spotify Charts.{{Cite web |title=Sushin Shyam – Galatta – Spotify Chart History |url=https://kworb.net/spotify/track/28x6WpVq1ty4dPDeqK0zPO.html |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=kworb.net}}
His release Kathu Mela with OfRo, came out in 2024 went viral on Instagram. The track was ranked in Top 100 Spotify India Charts.{{Cite web |title=Paal Dabba – Spotify Chart History |url=https://chartstats.com/spotify/artist/0cQJg3qKYiogK9Qj1H0Qpx |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=chartstats.com}} The music video for the song was filmed on a police station set, highlighting the current state of law and order.{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2024-08-22 |title=Paal Dabba on Directing and Dancing His Way Through 'Kaathu Mela' |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/paal-dabba-kaathu-mela-new-song-video/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}
He performed the promo song "Makkamishi" for the upcoming Tamil emotional drama film Brother.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-18 |title=Brother first single promo OUT: Jayam Ravi shakes a leg to peppy beats of Makkamishi; makers announce release date |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/brother-first-single-promo-out-jayam-ravi-shakes-a-leg-to-peppy-beats-of-makkamishi-makers-announce-release-date-1329572 |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en}} Anish was featured in Rolling Stone India
Discography
| class="wikitable"
!Title !Year !Type |
| 3SHA
| rowspan="2" |2022 | rowspan="11" |Single |
| Ai |
| "His Name is John" (from Dhruva Natchathiram)
| rowspan="4" |2023 |
| "Kaattu Payapulla" (from Let's Get Married) |
| 170CM |
| SAB |
| Binge and Cringe
| rowspan="5" |2024 |
| "Galatta" (from Aavesham) |
| OCB |
| Kaathu Mela |
| "Makkamishi" (from Brother) |