Rahul Kumar Velpula (born 26 Jan 1989), known professionally as Roll Rida, is an Indian rapper, songwriter and actor in Telugu films and music.[1]
He became popular with his YouTube rap song on Sankranthi, Patang,[2] was a huge hit with over 17 million views. His other popular songs are Kirana rap, Breaking news Kattif, Shankar Ka Beta, Ivvalane Dilkush, Ignite, Arupu[3] etc.[4] In 2018, he appeared as a contestant for Bigg Boss 2 and successfully reached the 15th week of the show and finished in 6th place.[5]
He picked his professional name, Roll Rida, upon a friend's suggestion, after popular American rapper, Flo Rida, of Low song fame.[6][7] He quit his job to pursue his successful singing career in 2017.[citation needed] His rap song ‘Arupu’ with Syed Kamran became popular.[8][9] He was the first to do a rap song in Telugu language from Telangana State.[10] In 2013, he debuted on Sankranthi with a single, Patang, on YouTube became a huge hit, with over 14 million views.[11] His songs Patang, Kirana song, Dilkush are popular among young listeners. He toured USA in 2015 and 2016 to promote his Telugu rap and Hip Hop songs. Roll Rida was featured on VH1 in 2010.
