Shillong’s rising hip-hop talent Daiaphi Lamare, better known by her stage name Reble, has made her debut in the Malayalam film industry with the movie Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. The rapper from Meghalaya, who has been honing her craft for nearly a decade, collaborated with music director Jakes Bejoy for the project and lent her voice to the track Thani Lokah Murakkaari.

In an interview with Mathrubhumi English, Reble said she was “very excited” when approached to contribute to the film’s soundtrack. “I always wanted to do something for a movie, but I didn’t want to do it for just any movie, I wanted it to be a cool one. This happened to be my first movie score, and I was very excited about it,” she said. 

The project marked her first movie score, and she was drawn to its focus on a female superhero. “It was about a female superhero, so when they told me that, I got even more excited. I thought, ‘OK, you’ve come to the right person’,” she said, describing the process with Jakes Bejoy as smooth and collaborative.

Creative process

The rap portion of the film’s promotional material has already caught attention. Reble explained that her approach was to channel the story of the protagonist and reflect her struggles. “It was just relating to the story of the main character, understanding where she comes from and finding that resonance, because I think she speaks for a lot of people, especially women,” she said.

While Bejoy offered input, Reble had near-complete freedom to shape her verses. “I like working on such projects where it’s flexible. I don’t like being confined or being told what to do. And Jakes was very nice. He gave his opinions, I wrote my parts, and we managed to make it feel like a collaboration. It wasn’t like I had to do something for somebody. I was really happy with how it turned out,” she added.

Although she did not weave specific elements of her own cultural background into the rap, Reble said she related strongly to the character’s narrative and spoke from that point of view.

In general, when she writes, Reble doesn’t believe in forcing themes into her work. Instead, she allows the music to guide her writing. “I listen to music before I write. When I hear it, I experience that feeling, and whatever that feeling is, I write based on that. I don’t think there’s a particular message. I write about my experiences, and I believe music is something for people to resonate with,” she said.

Interest in future Malayalam projects

Reble expressed eagerness to return to the Malayalam industry. “Of course, I love the industry. They have the nicest people. When I came to Kochi, it felt like a different country. The people were so welcoming and everybody was so nice. I think definitely yes,” she said when asked if she would take up full rap tracks or soundtracks in the future.

She acknowledged she was not yet familiar with the Malayalam rap scene, but noted that her collaborators, including mix and mastering engineers, are Malayalis. “I think South India has amazing talent when it comes to music and art. They express it without compromise. When it comes to South India, they put art before everything else, and I really admire the artists who come from this part of the country,” she added.

From Meghalaya to the National stage

Born in Nangbah, West Jaintia Hills, Reble began rapping at the age of 11. Growing up in a minority background, she said her early struggles became the driving force behind her music. “There was a lot of struggle growing up, and I think that was an inspiration for me to have an outlet and that’s how I started rapping,” she said.

Initially performing under the name Daya, she explained that Reble emerged as her alter ego. “I wanted to have an alter-ego because I believe it was a different side of me. That was a version of me that wanted to talk about specific things. Daya is the overall person and Reble is just a part of her,” she said.

She first collaborated with Symphonic Movement in 2018 before adopting the moniker Reble in 2019 with her debut single Bad. Since then, she has released two singles and featured on tracks such as ‘Reasons’ and ‘Manifest’, both produced by her mentor Dmon, who she credits with shaping her as an artist.

She has also participated in cyphers, including the ‘Brutality Cypher’ on Leoboys’ album ‘Homecoming’, and says she remains open to exploring multiple genres beyond rap, calling herself a versatile artist.

Reble cites Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G., and André 3000 as her biggest inspirations, while also drawing from bands like Linkin Park and Red Hot Chili Peppers. She emphasises sharp lyricism and technical ability but believes connection matters more than complexity.

“What will make my music stand out is the production. I want rap music to have really good production, like how Kanye West makes music,” she said, adding that she envisions her songs being strong in both rap and production quality.

Independent music and the Northeast

Reflecting on India’s independent music scene, Reble noted a rise in opportunities and engagement. “If people can listen to English rappers or American singer-songwriters, then I think they can also listen to Indian musicians. We are not any less,” she said.

She added that the rap scene in the Northeast is also progressing, with government initiatives and festivals providing platforms for emerging talent. “It has a good future and I hope more people do music,” she said.

As one of the few prominent female rappers from the Northeast, Reble is aware of how people view her identity. “I think it’s not really a stereotype -- it is what it is. People recognise that you come from a particular ethnic group and that you look different, but there’s no lie in that. You do come from a very different place, and you do look different, even if it’s often framed as a stereotype. I think what one can do is take pride in it, and that makes a difference,” she said.

Coming from a region with few female rappers, Reble wants to inspire other women to step into the Indian rap scene. Asked about the state of female representation, she said, “I think there’s a lot of room for improvement in the female rap scene. I don’t believe anyone should be given importance just because they’re men or women. You just need to make good music and let that speak for itself. If you look at things from a wider perspective, nobody talks about Nicki Minaj or Doechii in terms of gender, because they live up to the standard. They’re good musicians, and it doesn’t matter whether they’re women or men- they make good music, and it speaks for itself.”

While she admires Indian artists such as Hanumankind, Chaar Diwaari, and Yashraj for their impact, Reble dreams of international collaborations. “I think Tyler, the Creator; maybe G-Eazy. I think I would make a sick track with these people,” she said.

About ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’

‘Lokah Part 1: Chandra’, released on August 28 during the Onam season, has quickly established itself as a landmark in Malayalam cinema. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced under Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, the fantasy epic has drawn praise for its scale and artistry, with critics highlighting Jakes Bejoy’s music, Nimish Ravi’s cinematography, and a screenplay co-written by Santhy Balachandran. At its center is Kalyani Priyadarshan, stepping into the role of Chandra, Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero, a performance that, alongside a strong supporting cast, has cemented the film’s position as a cultural and box office phenomenon.