# Krishan Maheson

Krishan Maheson (born 4 May 1983) is a rapper from Sri Lanka. Along with his brother, Gajan, and MC Yauwanan, he helped found the Tamil rap scene in Sri Lanka. Maheson migrated to Darwin, Australia in 2018.

## Career

Maheson was a founding member of the duo Urban Sound with his brother, Gajan; together they released "Smooth Flow" in 1998. Influenced by local hip-hop groups such as Brown Boogie Nation and Rude Boy Republic and mentored by Brown Boogie Nation, the duo released several English rap singles and developed a following in Colombo. The duo split in early 2000 when Gajan left to join Bathiya and Santhush and Maheson joined Iraj Weeraratne. Maheson was later featured in many singles produced by Weeraratne, including "Ninda Noyena Hadawe", "Ran Ran Ran", "Koththu song" and "Mata Aloke Genadhewi". After completing his debut solo album, Asian Avenue, Maheson left Sri Lanka to attend a university in the United Kingdom in 2005. Asian Avenue was the first Sri Lankan album to be released by Universal Music India in 2006, followed by Bathiya and Santhush's CMB (Colombo) to Mumbai in 2007. Asian Avenue was produced by Yohan Ramírez.
Maheson's second album, Avadhaaram, received negative reviews from critics, who stated that the rapper had lost his touch. However, two singles from this album were worldwide hits. "Amudhame" was nominated as one of the most promising songs for 2008 by BBC Radio 1, and was placed on high rotation by British DJ Nihal. "Amudhame" also won Maheson an award at the inaugural Independent Asian Music Awards (AVIMA) in 2009 for best hip-hop solo act. "Oh Oh Endhan Darling" was a commercial success, played at stations and clubs worldwide. The song was included in Radio Express’s Dance Express compilation along with Jason Derulo, Pitbull and Rihanna. The song was also included in the Best of Hip Hop and RNB 2010 Vol. 3, an album of the best 100 tracks worldwide.
Maheson set up his digital label Connect Media and owns a studio in Colombo. He is rumored to be working on a third album with South Indian music scene artists, focused on his rapping and lyrical skills. The album was scheduled to be released in December 2011. Krishan is also rumored to be working with prominent South Indian music director Vijay Antony on film projects. He has been featured on many Kollywood movie soundtracks including Naan, Yuvan Yuvadhi, Sattapadi Kuttram, Amba Saumdhra Ambani, and Kabadadhaari.
Maheson was also a member of the ILL Noize hip-hop crew with Iraj Weeraratne and released Sri Lanka's first tri-lingual album in 2001, Iraj. He was featured in hit singles "Ran Ran," "Ninda Noyena Hanadawe," and Sri Lanka's first Tamil rap song "J Town Story." Maheson released his solo album and Sri Lanka's first Tamil hip-hop album "Asian Avenue" in 2005, under M Entertainments and Universal Music India. This was the first Sri Lankan Tamil album to be released in South India, which helped Maheson spread his influence to young Tamil diaspora markets in Europe and Canada in the mid-2000s.
After a five-year absence, he returned to the music scene with the album Avathaaram in 2010. He later ventured into the South Indian movie market by working with music directors Vijay Antony, D. Imman and Paul Jacob. Maheson was featured on the 2012 hit single "Makkayaala" from the Naan movie and also appeared in films such as Amba Samuthra Ambani, Yuvan Yuvadhi, Sattapadi Kuttram, Om Obama and Naan.
Maheson received the Best Rap Act award at the local DMVA 2011, as well as the Best Hip-hop solo act award at the AVIMA (Malaysia) in 2009.

## Discography

* Urban Sound Mix tape (1999)
* Iraj (2004)
* Asian Avenue (2005)
* Avadhaaram (2010)