Amit Jaiwant Naik, also known as Waking Grunt, will now have a say in the Grammy Awards voting process
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ
The email arrived without much fanfare and stayed unopened for a week. When Amit Jaiwant Naik finally opened it, the Konkani rapper and lyricist known as Waking Grunt, learned that he had been selected as a Voting Member of the Recording Academy, which presents the Grammy Awards.
Even so, he was initially unsure whether it was genuine. He took a screenshot and sent it to Hollywood film director and Miss Goa International co-founder Milroy Goes, who had recommended him for the membership. Naik had previously been associated with Buenos Muzik, the record label founded and run by brothers Milroy and Rohan Goes and had been looking for ways to gain greater recognition for Goan artists.
The application required recommendations from two industry peers, along with details of Naik’s musical journey and achievements. Nearly nine months later, he received confirmation that his application had been accepted.
Once Goes confirmed it, Naik called a few close friends and his piano teacher, Brian Colaco of Mapusa, to share the news.
Naik, who is from Narve, Bicholim, is the first Konkani rapper to hold the membership. As a Voting Member, he can vote in eligible Grammy categories and submit his own music for consideration.
Naik says, “As a Konkani rap artist, I feel their approval of my application is a huge win for the language. From now on, with exposure to music industry peers and growing acceptance, there is far more scope for the overall Konkani hip-hop scene to expand.”
The people behind the music
Naik says his friends have stood by him throughout his journey, describing them as his “wall of faith and resources”.
Joe Fernandes (JSF), Squishy Stone, Dattu Sawal, and Kartik Mangeshkar have handled mixing, mastering and other technical aspects of his tracks. Nehal Chari of V-Chitra Production and video director Joy Mayday have worked on his music videos, while J&D Entertainment, a U.K.-based event company, has also contributed to his video projects.
What’s next
Naik has several upcoming tracks, including ‘Poiso’, produced by Mangeshkar. He will also feature on upcoming tracks with Ashish Sonar, Cielda Pereira, as well as a project with a clothing brand.
His message to young musicians in Goa is: “Hang in there. There are wars, rough weather, frustration, desperation or helplessness. They will subside if only you believe in yourself.”
