SHILLONG, JUN 20: Rapper and songwriter Daiaphi Lamare, known professionally as Reble, was honoured as ‘Icon of the Year’ at the first edition of the Hello Meghalaya Music Awards held Saturday at SRTG Ground, Polo. In her acceptance speech, she urged Meghalaya’s young artists to step beyond their “small bubble” and share their talent with the world, saying the state’s music scene is more extraordinary than they realize.
Reble was felicitated by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who hailed her as an “icon for so many of our youngsters” who has “taken the entire country by storm”.
“I am so glad that you appreciate what I am doing. It is really an honour,” Reble told the CM and the audience.
Responding to the CM’s question on a message for the state’s youth and musicians, she said Meghalaya now has platforms that were missing during her early days.
“Earlier we didn’t have things like this – a music award. That was not something I ever thought of when I was in Shillong. It was more of ‘I need to get out of here so I could do something’. But now you guys have a platform, you have something and you need to utilize that.”
Having worked with artists across India and internationally, Reble said Meghalaya’s talent is underrated locally.
“The kind of talent that is here you guys have no idea… You really need to go out there and show and once you go out there you will realise just how good you are. I was watching all the performances, the choir, the kids – everybody, you are so good, you need to believe that. We need more people.”
On knowing music was her calling, she said it was never in doubt.
“Ever since I started doing music, I always felt that this is it. I never felt different. Ever since I was small, I always knew that this was going to happen. I guess it is important to feel that way every day.”
Asked what outsiders miss about Shillong’s music culture, Reble said it’s the story and the big dreams that come from the place.
“When you come from a place like this, you have to have very big dreams and we have a very unique story to tell. We should help people understand – not look at it as ‘oh they don’t get us’, but see that this difference can drive art.”
Dedicating her moment to early supporters, she named D’mon of Khasi Blood and DJ Nag as key mentors.
“D’mon helped a lot of young artists. Nag has been DJing with me since I started, we did NBA together… It’s been such a personal journey. I did start in this city; I would like to give everybody their flowers as well.”
The awards ceremony marked the state’s first major attempt to create a dedicated platform for local musicians across genres.
