MUMBAI: Rapper, poet, and activist EPR steps into a new role as music director for Season 2 of Hoop Nation, a docuseries by NBA India in collaboration with Skechers, spotlighting the raw synergy between basketball and hip-hop in India. Featuring artists like SOS, ThirumaLi, QK and EPR himself, the series is a powerful testament to how subcultures are shaping new narratives across Indian youth.
“This wasn’t just another project. It was a calling.”
Speaking about what drew him to Hoop Nation, EPR says the series’ core felt deeply aligned with his own artistic identity:
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“My music & poetry have always been cut from the cloth of real life — raw edges, bruised truths, no filters. So when Hoop Nation Season 2 came with its pulse on ‘real stories’, I didn’t see it as just another project; I saw it as alignment.”
As music director for the entire season, he crafted soundscapes that matched the emotional weight of each narrative, while also contributing a personal track to the series.
“Basketball and hip-hop are more than culture — they’re liberation.”
EPR sees basketball and hip-hop as more than just lifestyle choices — they’re becoming languages of resistance, aspiration, and community among young Indians, particularly outside the big cities.
“Basketball today is way more than a sport. It’s a voice, a culture, and a rising force.”
“Both serve as powerful tools of expression and empowerment for the youth. And across India, inspiring stories emerging from the court are testament to a movement that’s gaining momentum like never before.”
“Indian hip-hop isn’t rising it’s arrived.”
Asked about whether platforms like this support hip-hop’s commercial or authentic growth, EPR doesn’t hesitate:
“Indian Hip-Hop has entered its next chapter. What’s most exciting now is its power as a medium — to illuminate voices and stories that have long remained in the shadows: stories of grit, hope, and resilience from every corner of the nation.”
Behind the Beats: The Energy of Collaboration
While there were many memorable behind-the-scenes moments during the shoot, EPR says it’s the collective creative process that defined the spirit of the series:
“Each of the four songs has been a journey in itself and I’ve poured myself into every one of them. Collaborating with GJ Storm on production and working alongside SOS, ThirumaLi, and QK was an unforgettable experience.”
Hoop Nation Season 2 is more than a celebration of sport and sound — it’s a declaration that the margins of Indian culture are no longer quiet. They’re loud, proud, and rapping their truth.
