Yashraj Mukhate Looks Beyond Memes on New Song ‘Rasmalai’

After three years of gaining a reputation as that meme-making music composer, singer and producer, Yashraj Mukhate plays to his strengths on his new song “Rasmalai,” which is a lofty, catchy love letter to his favorite sweet dish.

The song also marks the launch of Mukhate’s label YM Originals, even as Mukhate goes on to collaborate with the likes of pop veteran Lucky Ali and producer Mikey McCleary on the recent single “Muskurayega.” In an interview with Rolling Stone India, Mukhate talks about the making of “Rasmalai” (the song, of course) and what’s coming up next.

What has the reception for “Rasmalai” been like so far? What’s a memorable thing you read/reaction you saw to it so far?

The experience has been surprisingly wonderful. Despite the platform’s inclination towards quick content, the full-length song “Rasmalai” on my profile has resonated deeply with viewers, connecting on an emotional level. Many even shared their Rasmalai moments inspired by the song, flooding my mentions with heartwarming pictures. The unexpected and heartening response has truly been a joy.

The obvious question, of course, is why you chose to write about this particular topic? What was it like working with Alok [Ranjan Srivastava] on the lyrics?

I’ve always found food intriguing, especially Rasmalai, my all-time favorite dessert. I wanted to capture the feeling of having the Rasmalai in a song. This was my first new original release in three years, and I didn’t want it to be like the usual songs about love or heartbreak. Alok liked the idea and his words added a special touch, making the song even better and more relatable for our listeners.

What is it like acting on that composing instinct on a topic like this and feeling fully sure that the humor (and even effectiveness of it) will land?

Actually, it wasn’t too hard. Everyone loves Rasmalai, so making a track about it was quite natural. The tricky part was making sure the melody and production were calming, since you don’t often hear words like “Rasmalai” in Hindi songs. The goal was to blend this unusual word smoothly into regular Hindi/Urdu lyrics.

“Rasmalai” also feels like a solo original song after a while. Can we expect more of these in the coming months?

Certainly! A number of them are already in the pipeline, with a majority set to be released under my label, YM Originals. I’m brimming with excitement for these upcoming tracks, as they each possess distinct genres and forms that set them apart from one another.

There’s a sense that beyond the memes, you’ve definitely gotten the music industry (and fans) to take you seriously as a composer. Was that difficult at all?

Yes! In the beginning, it was tough because my fans expected meme songs from me. That’s why it took me about three years to release an original song. I didn’t want to surprise them with something totally different from what they liked. But now, after these three years, I’ve got a fan base that likes more than just memes – they understand and enjoy my other work too. It feels great to see this change and know that they connect with what I create.

You’ve had a few projects that are collaborations like with [hip-hop artist] QK. How do you decide on collaborations and what has it been like navigating that space?

I tend to jump on board with anything that catches my interest, whether it’s a catchy tune or a funny line. My collaboration with QK happened because I really liked the melody she had created, and I couldn’t resist producing the song for her. It turned out really great. I enjoy teaming up with artists who have something unique to offer like this. Working together not only boosts my creativity but also leads to awesome results.

What else is coming up through 2023?

I’ve got lots in store – more singles, exciting collaborations, and some surprises that I’ll keep secret for now. Everything will be out by the middle of next year, and I’m really looking forward to it.