Legacy: Raftaar and KRSNA want to find artists, not social media stars

Legacy: Raftaar and KRSNA want to find artists, not social media stars – Exclusive

Exclusive | ‘Not trying to build clones’: Raftaar and KRSNA about their show Legacy

12 September,2026 12:59 PM IST |  Mumbai  |  Rachel Pereira

Legacy aims to give emerging hip-hop artists a platform without forcing them into a predetermined mould. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Raftaar and KRSNA say the focus is on authentic artists, strong writing and music rather than sob stories, reels or virality

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As Indian hip-hop continues to move from the underground into the mainstream, Raftaar and KRSNA are looking at what comes next. With Legacy, the duo, along with co-creator Ankit Khanna, hopes to give emerging rappers a platform without forcing them into a predetermined mould.

Legacy aims to find authentic hip-hop artists

In an exclusive chat with mid-day, KRSNA says, “We are not trying to build clones,” explaining that the aim is not to create artists in their own image. “We are not trying to build artists in our sort of image. We want them to be the best versions of themselves as artists.”

For Raftaar, that also means looking beyond the familiar reality-show formula of using a contestant’s personal struggles to create an emotional connection. “The only idea is to provide the platform that was missing without asking what is your story,” he says. “Can you rap? Very good. Can you turn this into a career and support your life? Very good. Join us. It’s as simple as that.”

The rapper believes an artist cannot be reduced to technical ability alone. “Everybody keeps remembering rhythm, rhythm, rhythm. Everybody forgets about poetry,” he says. “Poetry is the expression.” According to Raftaar, it is that ability to connect through a story, personality, words or music that separates an artist from someone who simply possesses a skill. “That is what turns you into an artist. Otherwise, it’s just a skill,” he says.

KRSNA, meanwhile, believes Legacycontestants need to understand what makes rap different from simply creating content for social media. “Rap implies lyrics and writing,” he says. “If you forget that, then you are not doing justice to the art form that you chose.” While reels and virality can help an artist reach audiences, he insists that shouldn’t be the goal. “You have to aim to be a good songwriter, good musician, good maker, good music,” he says.

“We want them to be proper artists. And if some virality happens because of that, then that’s great. That’s a bonus. That’s a by-product.”

Raftaar, KRSNA want Legacy to democratise hip-hop

The move to ZEE5 is also intended to take Legacybeyond an audience that already follows hip-hop. Ankit Khanna explains that the goal is “only and only to increase the wider reach of the show” and introduce the genre to viewers who may not regularly consume hip-hop.

For KRSNA, the larger ambition is to eventually have Legacyremembered as a platform that “democratized hip-hop” and gave different kinds of artists the opportunity to build careers. “We are eventually just a springboard for the artists to bounce off and create their own sort of future,” he says. “That would be a legacy worth having.”

The team also wants to change how emerging artists are treated, with royalties and payments for performances built into the format. “There is nothing called free,” says Ankit, urging young artists not to accept exposure as a substitute for fair compensation.

For Legacy, the ambition goes beyond finding one winner. As KRSNA puts it, the real success would be looking back and seeing “so many artists” who built their careers after getting their start on the platform.

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