Baba Sehgal, India's first rapper, has recently opened up about a dark chapter from his past, revealing that he received threat calls from the underworld in 1998. In a candid interview, he described the experience as "terrifying," recounting how he was pressured to stop singing at the peak of his career.

Sehgal, who rose to fame in the early 1990s with Indipop hits like "Thanda Thanda Pani," shared that the calls were not about extortion but were a direct warning to cease his musical activities. "They told me to stop singing," he stated, emphasizing that the tone was serious, and the calls, which usually came at night, created a deeply unsettling atmosphere. The rapper, who was also a contestant on Bigg Boss season 1, recalled, "Raat mein hi phone aate the, but itna darawana phase hota hai."

The 1990s were a turbulent time for the Indian entertainment industry, with widespread reports of extortion and violence. Several producers, including Gulshan Kumar, were murdered, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty. Sehgal, who was not directly involved in Bollywood, believes his success in the non-film music scene made some individuals feel insecure. "In 1998, the underworld was very strong. Mereko yeh nahi tha ki mujhe bhi call aajayega, kyunki main singer tha, but somehow I too got a call," he recounted. He added that his "powerful non-film music stirred insecurity."

Sehgal also reflected on Bollywood's initial reluctance to fully embrace him, suggesting that his direct and upfront personality might have clashed with the industry's expectations. He noted that while music directors would approach him, they seemed hesitant, possibly due to his demeanor. Despite achieving national fame, he felt that his success outside of Bollywood made the Hindi film music scene uneasy about incorporating him.

In contrast to his experience in Bollywood, Baba Sehgal found significant recognition and success in the South Indian film industry. He has recorded over 250 Telugu songs, 35-40 Tamil songs, and more than 25 Kannada songs. He credits the South Indian film industry for taking him seriously and embracing his music, referring to the Telugu industry as his "jungdata" (warrior). "South took me seriously," he stated.

Despite the threats and challenges, Baba Sehgal continued to pursue his passion for music, building a successful career with the support of his fans and the South Indian film industry. He described the late 1990s as a confusing period marked by a decline in non-film music and a rise in remixes, coupled with the growing influence of the underworld. "It wasn't just me; the entire industry was shaken," he said, emphasizing the widespread difficulties faced by artists during that era.

Baba Sehgal's experience sheds light on the pressures and challenges faced by artists in the Indian entertainment industry during the late 1990s. His decision to persevere despite the threats is a testament to his dedication to his craft and his resilience in the face of adversity.