Eva B ||The secret rap superstar of Lyari

History stands firm to support the fact that Lyari (a city in Karachi) has been the hub of drug-mafias, gangsters, target-killers, burglars, etc. but as every picture has two sides so does Lyari. Lyari with the grace of the almighty is inundated with multiple ilks of talents such as boxing champions, footballers, and rappers too. The recent booming ilk of music which is spreading throughout the world like the fire is none other than the rap lyrics. And doubtlessly, the world has witnessed great names in this concern which includes Eva B (Eva Baloch) a female Baloch rapper hailing from Lyari Karachi.


            One won't be wrong to say that our society has been very much tough with girls when it comes to allowing them to enter the outer world and live up their lives the way they prepare to live. Most particularly the Baloch society. Eva says that when told her father and the brothers that she wanted to be a rapper so her father and the brothers disregard her by replying that their family would be scoffed at when the societal men listen to this. Haplessly Eva B had to give up her once but thanks almighty she re-enlightened her dream of becoming a rapper when she got the support of her cousin Shah Meer. Meer talked to Eva B's father and brothers and made the understanding that it would not affect their family status in the society since Eva would cover her face with a veil and let her name be hidden, so Eva's father and brothers agreed. And today Eva is a big name in the world of “Rap”.

            It's really a memento of pride for the Baloch women and a great inspiration for talented lasses. What made me obligated to write this write-up was a small phrase of Eva that she said in an interview. "My veil cannot take away the talent I have." I believe this is what the women actually have understood that freedom is not when one is allowed to show tangible beauty rather real freedom is when one is allowed to show the talent she/he has. Even Eva B herself says that she will never let her veil go away since she loves wearing it and keeping it with her. She is not just the first female rapper from Lyari Karachi, but she is the first veil-wearing female rapper from Pakistan’s Baloch minority.

            She says it was a deal with her if she wanted to rap she had to wear a veil, but that it is now a part of her identity and personality as a musician. As a matter of fact, many times Eva says, “I don’t feel comfortable or can’t perform well if I don’t wear it. The veil just covers my face; it cannot cover or take away the talent I have.” I endeavor that your success makes people support you and this statement has proven.

            The recent super-duper hit song of Eva (Kana Yaari) which she recorded for a franchise namely, 'Coke Studio' along with Khaifi Kalil (a prominent Baloch singer from Karachi as well) became the reason due to what she (Eva) now has her brothers' support as well. It's my humble request to all of those brothers and fathers out there to please let your girls pursue and chase their dreams in which they find interest. And I am needless to say that Eva B is a great inspiration for all the girls-cum-women out there throughout the world. Hat's off.

 

By: Riaz Quraish

The writer is a teacher at Bolan English Language Center Turbat

Kech Balochistan