Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Hopeless Luckiest

Hailing from Tuensang district, Khoushai Lam, better known as Hopeless Luckiest, is a rising star in the Naga hip-hop scene. His ability to seamlessly juggle between Nagamese, Hindi, and English, coupled with his insightful lyrics that capture the sentiments of the people, has earned him recognition and a place with the independent label Tenacious.

The Dimapur-based record label Tenacious, describes Lam as someone who never forgets to represent his roots, hometown, and his people.

“That’s what we look forward to carry on– bringing the change in our society and being voice of our people through rap”, the team at Tenacious said.

Read on to know more about Lam aka Hopeless Luckiest.

EASTERN MIRROR: Tell us about yourself. Where are you from and if your surroundings have shaped you and your music

My name is Khoushai Lam and I go by the stage name Hopeless Luckiest.

I belong to Khiamniungan community; I am from 3rd NAP camp, Saksi in Tuensang district.

I graduated from Sao Chang College Tuensang, I did my MA from St. Joseph College Jakhama, and I’m currently pursuing my final year B. Ed at Modern Institute of Teacher’s Education in Kohima.

It has been 4 years since I started making music but I have always been interested in writing my experience and feelings through poems and quotes. Currently, I’m officially signed to Tenacious, an independent music label.

EASTERN MIRROR: What is the story behind your stage name Hopeless Luckiest? Have your been lucky in your music career as your name suggests?

Not really that lucky as it says but it is all hard work and dedication that makes things possible.

The name “Hopeless Luckiest” portrays two different personalities, the former name images the problems, failure, negativity, unfulfilled wishes and dreams etc., so Hopeless portrays the part of me that has so much to say but fails to express emotion or express thoughts. And the latter is created as a remedy, a part that is able to see the bright side of life.

EASTERN MIRROR: Tell us about your association with Tenacious.

Tenacious is an independent music label and though I’m still new to the label, I have been given enough opportunities and I’m currently working on multiple projects. I’m wishing for the best on this journey with Tenacious.

EASTERN MIRROR: When did you realise you wanted to get into the music industry?

I never had a thought on this but yes, as I started dropping music, people started recognising me and that’s how I got into the music industry.

EASTERN MIRROR: While we all know that the Nagaland music industry is still in the nascent stage, what made you to set your foot in the industry? Who was the inspiration behind your introduction to the hip hop genre?

Hip hop has always been with me since my childhood days. I was so much into dance and that’s how hip hop culture was introduced to me through dance.

And yes, the biggest inspiration for me to get myself into rap was NF. I was really touched by the way he delivered his mind and his feelings through rap and the way he could connect it with people’s life really boosted me to make good music that could share my view and my part of the story while also relating it to the people’s mind and feelings.

EASTERN MIRROR: What is the story behind your song “Moi Be Ase”?

So “Moi Be Asae” was actually a freestyle demo that I came up with during my B. Ed 3rd semester examination.

I uploaded it on my YouTube channel but then my label manager texted me giving suggestions to drop the full song using Nagamese, Hindi and English verse.

So I said yes and it took me 2 days to write record and make the lyric video and then the music was uploaded on Tenacious YouTube channel.

I wrote “Moi Be Ase” to mark my presence in the Nagaland rap scene as the title suggests, while also portraying the dark side of our people and the way our system functions and how all of us, Nagas, play a part in it.

It also talks about the negative remarks on the Eastern Nagaland people by some of its own “forward brothers and sisters”.

EASTERN MIRROR: What challenges did you face in your music journey in connecting with your audience?

*Lack of audience and people’s support

*Financial problems and the inability to afford resources that could enhance my music.

EASTERN MIRROR: What is one experience that you’ve learnt for life during your musical journey?

I have learned that it’s normal to receive different types of criticism and advice from different people about life, music and all that. But it’s all on you to take what’s good and best for yourself, and I have also learned that being consistent in your work is the only way to fulfilling your dreams.

EASTERN MIRROR: What do you hope to accomplish this year?

I’ll drop some good music and so I’m hoping for a hit this year.