Raja Kumari

Fusing classical Indian traditions with hip-hop, Los Angeles-based songwriter and rapper Raja Kumari bridges East and West into a style she calls "BollyHood." Kumari sought to be a role model for Asian-Americans on her 2018 debut, The Come Up, while bringing Indian culture to the mainstream with culturally authentic imagery. Born Sveta Rao in Claremont, California, the Grammy-nominated musician grew up studying Indian classical music and dancing, falling in love with hip-hop acts like the Fugees at a young age. After college, where she majored in South Asian religious studies...