During a recent college festival performance in Mumbai, rapper Raftaar stopped his show midway to address an issue he had with the seating arrangement. The artist noticed that faculty members were seated in the front rows, while the students were further back, behind barricades. This arrangement, according to Raftaar, was negatively impacting the energy exchange between him and the audience.
Raftaar expressed his disappointment, stating that the lack of energy from the front row was affecting his performance. He addressed the faculty directly, saying in Hindi, "Problem yeh ho rahi hai ki energy na hum ek doosre mein transfer nahi kar pa rahe hai". This translates to, "The problem is we aren't able to transfer the energy to one another". He further added, "Agle saal se meri faculty se request hai ki agar aapko aise baith ke pyaar se show dekhna hai toh side mein banaya kariye taki bacche log hamare sath enjoy kar sake," which means, "I have a request for the faculty: if you want to sit and enjoy the show nicely, then make arrangements on one side so that the kids can enjoy it with us".
Raftaar's remarks were met with cheers from the students, who seemed to appreciate his addressing the situation. He emphasized the importance of the audience's enthusiasm in a live performance, particularly at college festivals. He also referenced his experience performing in Abu Dhabi, where he felt the crowd was more engaged than the faculty members in the front row. "I know I am here performing at a college fest, but I am a pretty good artist," Raftaar said. "I performed in Abu Dhabi yesterday... There the fans are more excited than us. I don't know why you are so serious".
The incident has sparked discussions about VIP culture and the importance of creating an engaging atmosphere at live events. Raftaar's actions highlight the disconnect that can occur when there is a separation between the performer and the audience, especially at youth-oriented events. His decision to halt the performance and speak out about the issue demonstrates his commitment to creating a memorable experience for his fans. Live performances thrive on the connection between the artist and the audience, and Raftaar's actions serve as a reminder of this vital dynamic.
