For Mohammed Hussain Rahman, known to his fans as MHR, his debut album, Valiyaparamb, isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s the culmination of a lifelong dream. Hailing from Malappuram, this talented music producer has harbored the ambition of creating his own album since his teenage years, drawing inspiration from EDM giants like Sardor and Sickick.
Valiyaparamb album coverDespite his early aspirations, bringing Valiyaparamb to life required years of dedication. The album is a rich tapestry of 12 tracks, showcasing collaborations with an impressive lineup of nine indie musicians, including SA, Joker 360p, Efy Music, Lil Payyan, Haniya Nafisa, MC Mushti, Fura, Raaza Razaq, and Rasta.
MHR explains the album’s melodic direction: “This album is melodic in nature, and I knew that the artistes I chose would pull it off.” He carefully selected each artist, such as Raaza Razaq for a touch of ghazal, and Haniya Nafisa after being captivated by her voice in ‘Mulchedi’. Working with Fura, an artist he had long admired, also became a reality. Unlike his signature trippy numbers, Valiyaparamb features medium-tempo songs that explore themes of love, longing, and friendship. MHR emphasizes his goal: “I wanted to show the audience I can do songs like this too.”
The journey to creating the album was not without its challenges. “The reason why I postponed making an album is that as someone who releases a track every two months, committing to an album meant devoting a chunk of time on it,” MHR shares. Balancing live shows and single productions, along with coordinating schedules with numerous featured artists, added to the extensive timeline.
MHRA unique aspect of the album is its lyrical video, which features authentic, recorded moments from MHR’s personal life. This intimate style was inspired by artist BUNT, known for incorporating phone camera video clips into his own music videos.
A Journey to EDM Recognition in Kerala
Originally from Kottakkal, Malappuram, MHR’s introduction to EDM music came from international artists like Marshmallow and Skrillex. He recalls a time when his passion wasn’t taken seriously. “At that time, no one took me seriously. And when I started working as a musician, people around me weren’t keen on following it,” he says. However, after five years of full-time dedication, MHR has learned invaluable lessons, particularly from rapper SA, who showed him that a career as an independent musician was indeed viable.
MHR saw significant success in 2022 with two major hits: ‘Manavalan Thug’ (a promo song for the film Thallumala) and ‘Malabari Banger’. Interestingly, ‘Manavalan Thug’ was conceived two years prior when MHR sent an incomplete track to Malayalam rapper Dabzee, who contributed lyrics. What began as a plan for a YouTube release eventually caught the attention of Thallumala‘s creators, who decided to use it as a promotional track for their movie.
His other notable tracks include ‘Munthirichar’, ‘Prayojanam’, and ‘Naalu Vattam’.
Valiyaparamb MHRMHR expresses immense pride in popularizing EDM music in Kerala. He notes a shift in audience perception: “They have begun to give more attention to the music and not just the vocals now.” His success has allowed him to perform on various stages and travel globally, marking a significant achievement in his journey. “I earn a living being an independent musician, which is the biggest highlight,” he states. While doing what he loves feels like less of a struggle, MHR acknowledges that “the biggest challenge is waiting, not knowing when we will reach the position we want to.”
Looking ahead, MHR is actively working on a new hip-hop album, an EP, and several singles. He has also contributed two tracks to films and is collaborating with other producers on another EDM album.