Dive into the fascinating life of Vivian Fernandes, the Indian rapper known as Divine. From his humble beginnings in Mumbai to his global recognition, his journey is one of remarkable talent and perseverance.
Biography/Wiki
Vivian Fernandes, born October 2, 1990, in Andheri, Mumbai, is an Indian rapper who rose to fame with his debut track, “Yeh Mera Bombay.” Raised in the chawls of J. B. Nagar, Andheri, he attended St. John the Evangelist High School and R.D. National College, Mumbai. His passion for singing began in childhood, leading him to write rap songs from the age of 11. Inspired by Eminem and 50 Cent, he initially rapped in English before transitioning to Hindi.
He honed his skills while accompanying his mother to church in Marol, a peaceful environment conducive to practice. This period significantly shaped his musical journey, ultimately leading him to adopt the moniker “Divine.”
Physical Appearance
• Height: 5′ 6″
• Weight: 60 kg
• Body Measurements: 40″ Chest, 30″ Waist, 14″ Biceps
• Eye Colour: Dark Brown
• Hair Colour: Black
Family, Girlfriend & Caste
Born into a Christian family, Divine faced challenges early in life. His father’s abusive nature led to his abandonment of the family when Divine was young. His mother worked in Qatar to support her two children, leaving them with their grandmother. Divine’s elder brother, Anthony Fernandes, later joined his mother in Qatar to help.
Career
A friend’s gift of a CD featuring Eminem and 50 Cent ignited Divine’s rap career. Initially, crafting perfect lyrics took him over five hours. He started as an independent artist, filming his first song, “Coming For You,” with a Nokia N8 mobile phone. While in college, he joined Mumbai’s Finest, a hip-hop group, and trained under rapper Ace.
His breakthrough came in 2013 with the solo debut “Yeh Mera Bombay.” Other notable milestones include his 2013 autobiographical rap song “Jungli Sher” (released under Sony Music India), his collaboration with Naezy on the hit “Mere Gully Mein” (2015), and his collaboration with Raja Kumari on “City Slums” (2017). He even made his singing debut in the Bollywood film Mukkabaaz, singing “Paintra” with Nucleya.
Awards & Achievements
Divine’s talent has earned him significant recognition:
| Award | Year | Song/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Best Video Of The Year | 2014 | Yeh Mera Bombay (Rolling Stone India) |
| Best Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Of The Year | 2015 | Jungle Raja (GIMA) |
| Listed among the ‘Top 10 Artists To Watch Out For’ | 2016 | BBC Asian Network |
| Musician Of The Year | 2018 | Outlook Social Media Award |
Favourite Things
• **Food:** Dal-Rice
• **Colour:** White
• **Singers/Rappers:** Michael Jackson, Eminem, 50 Cent, Bob Marley, Jay-Z, Lecrae, Tupac Shakur, Nas, Stormzy, and Chance The Rapper.
• **Songs:** Changes by Tupac and Alright by Kendrick Lamar.
• **Albums:** Illmatic by Nas, Me Against the World by Tupac, and Straight Outta Compton by NWA.
• **Hip-Hop Producers:** Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, and Pharrell Williams.
Facts
• Founded the Mumbai-based crew and music label Gully Gang.
• Dislikes beatboxing.
• Is a non-vegetarian.
• First Indian artist with a solo release worldwide by Apple Music.
• First Indian rapper to freestyle rap in Hindi on BBC 1’s “Fire in the Booth.”
• Hobbies include travelling and gymming.
• Has tattoos of a house and tree (right forearm) and bird wings (right chest).
• Resides in the chawl area of J. B. Nagar, Andheri, Mumbai.
• Owns a Pit Bull named Grumpee.
• Received a computer and microphone from his mother after college.
• Smokes weed.
• Received a Mahindra Thar CRDe as a gift from Anand Mahindra in 2018.
• Inspired Zoya Akhtar’s movie Gully Boy (2019), which depicted his and Naezy’s lives.
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