MC Altaf Announces New Track ‘Big Moves’ Articulating His Life Story

Mumbai rapper MC Altaf unleashes his brand-new single ‘Big Moves’ that releases via Gully Gang today.

Big Moves marks an inflexion point in MC Altaf’s musical journey as he delves into his outlook, life lessons and ambitions. He flexes his lyrical aptitude by showcasing weighty lyrics that commend and celebrate his past achievements whilst spotlighting his colossal future goals. 

Produced by Stunnah Beatz, the single interlaces polished beats with high-pitched backing vocals delivering a power packed urban sound. The vocal melody blends perfectly with the rapper’s bar delivery ensuing in a divine listening experience. The drums build anticipation and highlight the punchlines, almost as a background narrative to the rapper's profound words.

MC Altaf expands, “Rap and hip-hop are such important styles for telling your story. When you speak about yourself, you don’t have to just talk about your struggles and shortcomings. Flexing doesn’t just mean money and cars. Flex about your dreams, your ambitions and how you want to ace your game with each passing day. The whole track revolves around my way forward mission.”

Speaking about how the track came about he states, “At the time I was writing Big Moves, I had decided to go visit Stunnah Beatz in Guwahati since I wanted alone time to develop this track into something unique and I thought if I head out of the big city then maybe I could explore a whole new vibe. The beat of the track is inspired by the American rapper Meek Mill, a first for me.”

The music video for the track shot in monochrome by Samarth Shirke across Mumbai and Dubai aptly showcases MC Altaf’s journey as he is busy making the 'Big Moves’ and hustles each day whilst staying true to his roots. The video features major snippets from his studio sessions with legendary artists like KSHMR and performing in Dubai alongside his day ones to riding Yulu’s with his gang, giving a sneak peak into his everday life. 

Highlighting on the lyrical novelty of the track he further reflects, “When I was writing the verse it came to me ‘bade kadam dekhke boley big moves!’ which means we need to work smart and not hard to reach to the top and that’s how I got my first line. Since I also have an avid interest in style, I referenced my shoe collection which most people praise hence ‘pairon pe who dekhke boley which shoes?’ I was born into middle class but I developed a high-class fate. Earlier my friend circle comprised of dealers now I sign deals. I believe that your destiny is largely about you and your success is not time-dependent but self-dependent hence ‘jana kaunsi manzil pe tu kar choose’. I’m a street hustler so when I used ‘gang mere streets pe like nikalti Yulu’s’ for me it all signifies how life comes to a full circle as I still roam the streets with my gang on Yulu’s whilst the VIP’s call me on a legend on stage. You see the delivery boys on Swiggy/Zomato who work so hard riding their Yulus and that for me is the real hustle or hard work.” 

Altaf Shaikh, who goes by the stage name MC Altaf, is a young hip-hop artist that has been steadily showcasing his formidable abilities on the mic and creating his own lane in the ever-growing Indian hip-hop scene. 

Hailing from Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, his influences are varied and his primarily Bronx-inspired no-nonsense approach to writing and music is clear to see in every track he puts out. Well-thought-out lyrics and razor-sharp delivery are what typify MC Altaf's distinct rap style. 

After featuring in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy in 2019, he became notorious for teaching Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh the ‘Bambaiya’ dialect that lended the much-lauded authenticity to the film, and thereafter the latter also made a cameo appearance in the music video of his track ‘Wassup!’.

With equal doses of lyrical flair and topical ingenuity, he has held his own amid a number of stellar collaborations with a multitude of top-level artists including DIVINE, D’Evil, Ranveer Singh, 7 Bantaiz, Aavrutti, and Shah Rule.