Nathan Joseph Mendes aka Tsumyoki.

Nathan Joseph Mendes aka Tsumyoki is easily Goa’s best rapper. But, he prefers to be called a musician. This Indian rapper is on his way to achieving great things, albeit with a calm head over his shoulders. The team of ItsGoa caught up with him and put him ‘bohot hard’ under the spotlight. Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares stories from the lives of Goans. Humans of Goa are made for and made up of Goans.

Let’s get started.

What do they call you at home? My loved ones call me Yoki/Nathan. My Instagram handle is @tsumyoki

Tsumyoki, if anyone were to ask you, “Please introduce yourself”. How would you do so? I am an artist/musician.

What was that one moment when you decided that, “That’s it! I want to rap” Probably around the age of 17. It’s not just rap, I want to make all kinds of music. It’s a process that is therapeutic to me and I absolutely love doing it.

Why become a rapper? Why not something else? Well I’m not just a rapper, I diversify in all genres of music. I want to do it because this is what love is. I love making music.

A bit about your role models. Any aspects or traits that makes them so… (can be from the rap world too)

My mom of course. Music wise I am inspired by artists like XXXTENTACION, Juice WRLD, Drake, Post Malone and Ski Mask the Slump God.

What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it?

That would be creating a scene in Goa. There was no scene for rap/original music down here. I had no one from Goa to look up to. So, I had to create the scene myself. Now I’m so happy to see the number of rappers and young musicians coming up. Truly makes me feel proud.

What was your reaction to Gully Boy? I watched the movie twice. Once when it came out where I didn’t have any idea who some of the rappers in the movie were. And the second time, when I watched it was a whole different experience because not only do, I personally know some of the Indian rappers in the film but I have songs with them.

What’s the current rap scene in India? Is it better than what it used to be? We are just scratching the surface of rap in India. Soon it will be everywhere. There is an Indian rapper coming out of every city.

What does Tsumyoki mean? Vision, Productivity and a positive mindset

Name the top 5 rappers you love the most. And who among them writes the best lyrics and who can get the best flow?

XXXTENTACION, Juice WRLD, Drake, Post Malone and Ski Mask the Slump God. These are all clubbed as one.

Which are your top 5 favorite rap songs? Can’t have a top 5, there is too much amazing music out there.

Can you write a couple of lines for us here on the topic of “Life”?

Stop giving a damn about society and achieve your goals.

What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you recall that helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life with help from fam?

Always had support from my family for which I’m super grateful and blessed. What were people’s feedback (negative and positive), and who stood by you the most? My close friend circle.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?

I will become the biggest musician Goa has ever seen. I want the youth to look at me and feel like they can do anything. I want to become a top Indian rapper, with a difference.