Born into a half-Sikh, half-Muslim family, Tha Real Brown Boy has been comfortable with conflict from the moment he took his first breath. The 19-year-old is from Los Angeles, and the son of immigrant parents who both moved to Southern California from India.

He is also trilingual, as he speaks Hindi and Arabic, on top of English. On the verge of dropping his debut album, Overnight Success, Tha Real Brown Boy carries the weight of showing the hip-hop world that Indian Americans belong in the discussion.

“I’m ready to see kids like me, rapping in English,” he says.
Like many who have graced the pages of UNDRGRND Magazine, Tha Real Brown Boy began releasing music in high school, an era he remembers was heavily influenced by Shoreline Mafia. Tha Real Brown Boy was early in his career, but found some first wins with drops like “IDGAF” in 2020.

The next year, Tha Real Brown Boy met Donald Reyes, an aspiring music manager in his early 20s with enough energy to be Head A&R at a major label. The two began a business relationship quickly, with Donald officially representing Tha Real Brown Boy by the middle of 2021. 

“When I first discovered Tha Real Brown Boy, there was a lot that we both didn’t know about releasing music,” says Donald, who believes patience is the biggest asset he brings to Tha Real Brown Boy team. “It was difficult in the beginning for us, because he was really gullible. We did butt heads a lot, but we’ve always come back together.” 

Whether they realize it or not, the two have bonded over being tested by outsiders. The most notable of such instances comes the way of NAV, the mainstream Canadian-born rapper also of Indian descent. NAV is arguably the western world’s most popular rapper born to Indian parents, and is referred to regularly by his nickname, “the Brown Boy.”

In Sept. 2022, Tha Real Brown Boy and Donald met NAV at a meet and greet at Salzer's Records in Ventura, California. 

“I went up to him, told him that I’m thankful, that I’m making music because of you,” Tha Real Brown Boy says. “He looked down at me and said, ‘I’m the real brown boy.’”
The Real Brown Boy admits that he was taken aback by NAV’s clear dislike of the name parallel. NAV was an idol to him, not only musically, but culturally and personally.
“I didn’t expect him to be so arrogant. So I just told him, ‘We gonna see you soon.’”
As we enter Spring 2023, Tha Real Brown Boy and Donald are set on getting this first project, Overnight Success, out to the public. The two confirm the album is a “rollercoaster of emotions,” one you can “cry to, vibe to, and turn the fuck up to.” 

Through tension and doubt from others, Tha Real Brown has always thrived. He remains tunnel-visioned on releasing good music to his fans, and keeping his team tight and focused.

“I learned over time, people say a lot of shit, but they don’t live up to it,” The Real Brown Boy says. “The only expectations I have is on my team, ‘cause they’re the ones putting in the work when no one else does.”

Follow Tha Real Brown Boy & Donald Reyes on Instagram @tharealbrownboy & @thedonald_reyes. And look out for Overnight Success, coming soon to all streaming platforms.