Jitesh Dang , who performs as Super Dang , has spent years creating independent hip-hop rooted in Punjabi and desi influences. In a conversation with us, he reflects on his musical journey, working outside the label system, the stories behind some of his best-known songs and why creative freedom matters more to him than commercial expectations.



He says, “I see myself more as a rapper than a singer. Singing at a professional level takes years of practice, training and riyaaz, and I have immense respect for that. I don't consider myself a full-fledged singer. Technology can enhance vocals, and many artistes use it, but rap remains my real strength. It's where I'm most comfortable and how I express myself best.”



Looking back, he traces his journey from DJing to becoming a rapper and music producer. He shares, “My music journey began long before Super Dang. I started as a DJ in 1996. Delhi didn’t have many clubs at the time, so I mostly performed at private parties. The turning point came in 2007 when I won the National DJ Championship, followed by the Asian DJ Championship the next year. That gave me the confidence to create my own music instead of playing someone else’s. I began producing my own tracks, which eventually led me to writing and performing my own music. ‘Dang’ is my surname, while ‘Super’ comes from my childhood fascination with Superman. That’s how Super Dang came into being.”



Working independently has had its share of challenges, but he believes it has also given him the freedom to stay true to his creative instincts. He says, “Not every song gets picked up by a record label because labels naturally look at factors such as reach, trends and commercial potential. But as an artiste, you also have ideas you simply want to share with the world, whether or not they fit those expectations. Having my own platform gives me the freedom to release the music I truly believe in. I still read the comments on my old remixes and cover songs. It’s amazing that people continue to remember my work and ask me to make music again. Those messages mean a lot to me.”



Among the songs closest to his heart are Brandy Munda and Filmy Saiyaan , each for very different reasons. “Brandy Munda came together when my friend Sandy, who directed music videos, introduced me to Punjabi singer Nav D. We collaborated on the track, and I produced the music. We were really happy with how it turned out. Unfortunately, for various reasons, we couldn’t shoot the music video, but I’m still proud of the song.”



He adds, “Filmy Saiyaan will always be very close to my heart because it was my first original song as a music producer and rapper. I invested my heart, time and money into it, both in the music and the video. I wanted to create something with pop energy and a strong desi touch, and that fusion became the foundation of the song. While composing it, I felt it needed a strong, raw voice, so I approached Kalpana Patowary. She brought the song to life exactly the way I had imagined, and I’m still proud of both the audio and the video.”



While Filmy Saiyaan remains one of his most cherished songs, he believes it didn’t receive the reach it deserved. He says, “I do feel the song deserved a much wider reach. Social media wasn’t as influential then as it is today, and promotion depended heavily on record labels, which naturally prioritised established artistes. Independent musicians had to handle much of the marketing themselves, and that wasn’t easy. But I have no regrets. I already have several new songs ready, and I’m excited to release them soon with a proper marketing budget. There’s a lot more music on the way.”