Desi Rap Scene

Few artists have shaped the soundscape of Indian hip-hop the way DIVINE has. Known for weaving the gritty realities of Mumbai’s streets into sharp, self-aware rhymes, he often turns his songs into memoirs. Rain is one such track. It’s not just a rap song; it’s an autobiographical narrative about struggle, loyalty, and the resilience required to rise from the under belly of Andheri to the top of India’s rap game.

Let’s break the lyrics down, line by line, to understand the themes, wordplay and cultural references embedded in Rain.

Opening Verse: From College Dropout to Breadwinner

The song begins with DIVINE reflecting on the unconventional path he chose:

“College class skip kiya / Zabaan rakh ke risk liya”
He confesses he skipped college, betting on his words and his ability to rap. This sets the tone: his career was built not on degrees but on lyrical talent and risk-taking.

“Gaadi baad liye / Pehle maa ko ghar gift kiya”
Material indulgence came later. First, he bought his mother a house—a recurring motif in DIVINE’s work. It signals gratitude and a sense of responsibility toward family.

“Ruffles nahi par ab bag bhar ke chips liya”
A clever pun: he once couldn’t afford Ruffles chips, but now he has “bags full of chips”—chips also being slang for money. It’s a metaphor for his financial turnaround.

“Turban nahi pehne par kaam saara sick (sikh) kiya”
A witty wordplay. Though he doesn’t wear a Sikh turban, his work is “sick,” a slang term meaning dope or excellent.

“Test karna chahte par main pujara jaise tik gaya”
Like a deity’s idol in a temple (pujara), he remained firm despite people trying to test or shake him.

“Har nookad building par supari jaise tik gaya”
He’s everywhere on the streets, “like supari,” a term from Mumbai underworld slang for a contract hit. It paints his influence as omnipresent.

“Adnan saami wala weight, game pura lift kiya”
One of the funniest punchlines: just as singer Adnan Sami was once known for his weight, DIVINE claims he “lifted the weight” of the Indian rap game—raising its standards.

“Coast wale ladke, Bombay ko maine nip diya”
Representing Mumbai’s west coast, he proudly declares he’s put Bombay on the global rap map.

“Mai aur mera bhai main, Andheri ke liye Clipse diya”
A reference to hip-hop duo Clipse; DIVINE and his crew gave music and representation to Andheri’s streets.

“Hum hisaab karte dost, tune hiss hiss kiya”
He and his friends count their money honestly while haters “hiss”—a clever sound metaphor for jealousy.

“Tere sapne hue sach, maine jaake risk liya”
While others dream, he took risks and made those dreams real.

“Moserbaer hai flow, tujhe classic sab disk diya”
A nostalgic nod to Moserbaer CDs; his raps are “classics on disc”—timeless and widely distributed.

“Living like I lost it, life is a gift miyaan”
Despite chaos, he values life as a gift.

“Dimaag se main budha, kamar ke liye stick liya”
He’s “old in mind”—wise beyond his years. The “stick” could be read as a walking cane (symbolizing wisdom) or a metaphor for protection in the streets.

“Jo bolta lyrics mein kasam se maine sab kiya”
Every line is real; nothing is fabricated. Authenticity is a cornerstone of DIVINE’s artistry.

“Bars mange mujhse inn sabko maine network diya”
He’s a supplier of bars and built the rap network in India, helping others in the scene.

The Emotional Hook: Borrowed Sunshine and Rain

The chorus borrows lines from the Bollywood film 3 Idiots:

“Give me some sunshine, give me some rain / Give me another chance, I wanna grow up once again.”

In the film, the lyrics express a student’s frustration with a rigid education system. DIVINE recontextualizes them: despite his success, he still feels the weight of a tough childhood and wishes for a fair shot. It’s an emotional bridge between mainstream nostalgia and his street story.

Second Verse: Life on the Edge

The next set of lines digs deeper into hardship:

“Tujhe kyu bole jeena yaha / Kuch nahi haseena / Sirf dard aur paseena”
There’s nothing glamorous here—only pain and sweat.

“Tu chale ya kabhi na / Ek daana bhi pache na / Raat bhi katte na”
Food scarcity and sleepless nights were part of his reality; survival itself was a challenge.

“Agar ops ka tu dost, toh baat bhi kare hum kaamyaabi ki”
A nod to street code: if you’re with the opposition, there’s no conversation about success. Loyalty is paramount.

“Bhook hai yeh, mehnat saboot hai yeh, rehmat ki chhoot nahi hai”
Hunger drives him, hard work is proof, and divine blessings aren’t free—you earn everything.

“Daalte andar yaha pe lagta saboot nahi hai”
People are jailed without proof; an observation on systemic injustice.

“Hasna beta sahi nahi hai / Sochne lagte naram toh garam rehna sahi sahi hai”
In a world where softness is punished, toughness is survival.

The Bridge: Nothing on a Silver Platter

The bridge repeats four lines for emphasis:

“Tere jaise kabhi plate pe nahi mila / … Zimmedaari liye, kabhi fek nahi mila.”

DIVINE reminds listeners that nothing was served to him on a plate. He never idled at home, took responsibility seriously, and never faked his hustle. But for rap, he has endured and witnessed a lot.

Outro: A Song for the Streets

The outro closes with a dedication:

“Yeh meri sadkon ka gaana / Andheri sadkon pe diye jalana.”
This is for the streets that raised him. Lighting lamps on Andheri’s dark lanes is both literal and symbolic—bringing hope to his neighborhood.

“Jale zamana, jalta hai kyun / Hona sabko rawana.”
Why envy? Everyone eventually leaves this world. It’s a philosophical mic-drop: life’s too short for hate.

Why Rain Resonates

Rain works because it’s multi-layered. It’s part victory lap, part confession. DIVINE celebrates his rise with braggadocio and clever wordplay, but he doesn’t shy away from the trauma and hunger that shaped him. The borrowed chorus adds vulnerability, making the song relatable beyond hip-hop circles.

For listeners unfamiliar with Mumbai’s street slang, the song is a cultural crash course: from supari references to Andheri shout-outs, it paints a vivid picture of an artist who turned local grit into global recognition.

In essence: Rain isn’t just about DIVINE’s life; it’s an anthem for anyone who’s struggled, hustled, and dreamed of a second chance.

Give it a listen: https://open.spotify.com/track/2S7zil55OJvWaJrwiqSjIr?si=897ee6478c644ef0