Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Paolenthang Tuboi

The tenacious Paolenthang Tuboi, who is also known by his stage name MC Olen, has caught the attention of music lovers by spitting rhymes in multiple languages.

Read on to know all about this upcoming rapper and the motivation behind his music.

Eastern Mirror: Tell us about your early years and your involvement with music.

MC Olen: I was very passionate about singing so I started singing when I was eight-year-old during my Sunday school days. I also participated in Kids for fame season 2 in the year 2008. I was 16 that year. Since then I kept going by the grace of God.

Eastern Mirror: What got you into rap music in particular? Who were your early influences?

Particularly I got into rap music to convey messages and motivation to inspire people through rap music.

Tupac Shakur , Eminem, Micheal M.Sailo (Mizo Rapper) were my early influences.

Eastern Mirror: Do you have any story behind your stage name?

MC OLEN is my stage name MC or EMCEE which means master of ceremonies and olen is from my mother tongue, it means “Loud or Loud Voice”.

Eastern Mirror: What is/are the themes that you cover? What is your style of performing?

Presently I do motivational rap songs, Gospel rap songs and sometimes love songs.

There’s no particular style at all except rapping.

Eastern Mirror: If you could perform anywhere other than your home state, where would that be and why?

 Other than my home state, I would like to perform in states like Mizoram, Maharashtra, Bangalore and Meghalaya because I would say there are countable legendary rappers from there like G’nie, Khusi Bloodz, Meba Ofilia, MC Stan, Emiway , Divine, Brodha V and they are far more advanced compared to our state Nagaland.

Eastern Mirror: Who are the artistes from the state that you look upto and would like to collaborate with?

In the future if I get a chance to collaborate with any artist from Nagaland I would love to collaborate with Alobo Naga, Moko Koza, Z-World, Sunep Lemtur, and Big Dane because their music inspires me a lot.

Eastern Mirror: How supportive are your family with the kind of music that you do? If it wasn’t music what would you be doing?

My Family have been very supportive in anything that I do whether in music or in any other activity.

If it wasn’t for music, I think I could be into business.

I also own an online shoe store to support my music career @the_shoe_rack_nagaland (Instagram)

Eastern Mirror: What do you think is your USP that sets you apart from other performers?

I can rap in any type of beat irrespective of language like English, Nagamese, Hindi or my mother tongue which I think most performers can’t do.