OfRo — Mediated Wiki

{{Short description|Indian musician}} {{COI|date=September 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox person  | name = ofRo | image = OfRo aka Rohith Abraham.jpg | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|07|19}} | birth_place = | spouse = | children = | father = | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = | occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|songwriter|singer}} | instrument = {{hlist|keyboard/piano|synths}} | years_active = | label = Atti Culture | associated_acts = {{hlist|Asal Kolaar|Arivu|Durai|Paal Dabba|Kelithee|Tenma|Santhosh Narayanan|Sandy|ADK|Roshan Jamrock|Madan Gowri|Psychomantra|Ben Human|The Casteless Collective}} }} }}

'''Rohith Abraham''' (born 19 July 1987), known professionally as '''ofRo''', is an Indian record producer, singer and songwriter who has worked with Asal Kolaar, Arivu,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.edexlive.com/people/2019/mar/26/the-therukural-story-how-arivu-met-ofro-and-rapped-about-periyar-politics-and-parai-isai-5608.html|title=The Therukural Story: How Arivu met OfRo and rapped about Periyar, Politics and Parai isai|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> Durai, Paal Dabba, Kelithee, Tenma, Santhosh Narayanan, Sandy, ADK, Roshan Jamrock, Madan Gowri, RICH ,Psychomantra, Ben Human, and The Casteless Collective, among others. He is the co-founder of Atti Culture,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=2022-01-10 |title=Asal Kolaar and OfRo's Tamil single Jorthaale clocks 10 million views on YouTube |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/asal-kolaar-and-ofro-s-tamil-single-jorthaale-clocks-10-million-views-youtube-159675 |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> a record label and production company & Madras Medai,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohith-abraham-80283130/|title=Linked in|last=Abraham|first=Rohith|date=30 April 2020|website=Linked In|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Citation|title=Madras Medai {{!}} PA.Ranjith {{!}} Press Meet {{!}} Prime Cinema|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigl6UhsLoI|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> a music festival and conference focusing on the growth of independent music in South India.

== Early years == Rohith was born in Chennai, India, and grew up there. He started playing piano at the age of 7 and began learning on electronic instruments soon after. He began taking music seriously in 2005 with his band Nerverek.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-nerverek-diaries/1134419/|title=The NerveRek Diaries – Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianbands.wordpress.com/2007/11/19/nerverekchennai/|title=Nerverek(Chennai)|date=2007-11-19|website=Indian Rock N Metal Music Rulzzz...|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Kamath|first=Sudhish|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/The-Previous-Band-ensp/article11642974.ece|title=The Previous Band &ensp;|date=2009-11-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-29|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Career == In 2014, he began his career working for Harris Jayaraj as an additional programmer for the movie Yennai Arindhaal.<ref name=":1" />

In 2017, he began his independent music career with his first music video, October Maadham, which featured Instagram model Sameea Bangera, Directed by Ken Royson.<ref name=":1" />

In 2019, he wrote and produced the critically acclaimed, ''Therukural'', a Tamil hiphop album with Tamil rapper Arivu<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.kalaignarseithigal.com/article/therukkural-kallamouni-album/95f4ccfe-f01d-48ce-ad96-efd9815f6800|title = தமிழ் ஹிப்ஹாப் பாடல்களுக்கு அரசியல் முகம் கொடுத்திருக்கும் 'தெருக்குரல்'!}}</ref> featuring Tenma and Roshan Jamrock.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Tagat|first=Anurag|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/speaking-truth-to-power-with-arivu-and-ofro/article28795328.ece|title=Speaking truth to power with Arivu and ofRO|date=2019-08-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-29|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/therukural-arivu-ofro-brilliant-tamil-hiphop-album-104379|title=Therukural, a brilliant tamil hiphop album|last=Shekar|first=Anjana|date=27 June 2019|website=www.thenewsminute.com|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2019/jul/02/from-anti-indian-to-asifa-how-therukural-has-changed-the-face-of-tamil-hip-hop-forever-6830.html|title=From Anti-Indian to Asifa, how Therukural has changed the face of Tamil hip hop forever|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/content/gq-spoke-to-the-millennials-who-are-determined-to-change-the-way-we-think-about-caste|title=GQ spoke to the millennials who are determined to change the way we think about caste|website=GQ India|date=6 September 2019|language=en-IN|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> The album touched topics of caste and class divide in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/wake-up-songs-across-the-south-bands-are-using-folk-to-rock-the-boat/story-TCcb4EcKZyv1EAbqi7MQKO.html|title=Wake-up songs: Across the south, bands are using folk to rock the boat|date=2019-11-09|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> The album was highly acclaimed, featured in Rolling Stone India as the top ten Indian albums in 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/10-best-indian-albums-of-2019/|title=10 Best Indian Albums of 2019 -|date=2019-12-31|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> and 5 most politically conscious hiphop in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/5-new-politically-conscious-hip-hop-songs-election-season/|title=5 New Politically Conscious Hip-Hop Songs Out This Election Season -|date=2019-04-24|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> Arivu and ofRo performed their first song, Anti Indian at Madras Medai in 2018.<ref>{{Citation|title=Arivu x ofRO {{!}} Anti Indian {{!}} Madras Medai {{!}} Tamil Album Song Live {{!}} Therukural|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldVe-28DVsQ|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> He founded Therukural with Arivu, as community for artists and creatives. They would gather with hundreds of young artists, songwriters, beatboxers and more, at public parks to share ideas, songs and more.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/ofro-arivu-therukural-hip-hop-album|title=ofRo, Arivu and the genome for politically-conscious Tamil hip-hop|website=Red Bull|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> ofRo's slick production is apparent in songs like Kalla Mouni and Anti Indian.<ref name=":4" />

He met ADK, a Sri Lankan rapper in Harris Jayaraj's studio in 2015, but it wasn't until 4 years later when they would work together on a song called Lityananda – a satirical piece commenting on self proclaimed godmen.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Pradeep|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sri-lankan-hip-hop-artiste-adk-lityananda-is-not-nithyananda/article31226903.ece|title=Sri Lankan hip hop artiste ADK: 'Lityananda is not Nithyananda'|date=2020-04-01|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-29|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Along with co-founder and music director, Tenma, he curates Madras Medai, a premier South Indian independent music festival with the aim to build an ecosystem for future independent artists.<ref name=":2" /> Madras Medai was first conducted at CSI Bains School on 19 May 2018. It featured performances by artists like Dopeadelicz, Dharavi United, Sunshine Orchestra, Siennor, Othasevuru, Jatayu, Arivu x ofRo, The Casteless Collective, Chinna Ponnu and Paul Jacob.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sriram|first=Abhinaya|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/madras-meda-indie-music-concert/article23949846.ece|title=Madras Medai: on stage, everyone's equal|date=2018-05-21|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-29|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/050518/madras-medai.html|title=Madras medai|last=Subramanian|first=Anupama|date=2018-05-05|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sriram|first=Jayant|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-personal-and-political-act/article26548154.ece|title=A personal and political act: on Chennai's Casteless Collective|date=2019-03-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-29|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2019, Atti Culture was founded as an independent record label. The label focuses on nurturing and promoting up-and-coming Tamil talent. Known for its innovative approach to artist development and emphasis on creative freedom, Atti Culture has quickly gained a reputation for being a leading force in the modern music landscape of South India.

ofRo quickly garnered attention for his songs with singer songwriter rapper Asal Kolaar. Jorthaale and Adi Odi became mainstream hits. Known for their electrifying chemistry, the duo has produced multiple hit songs, including the chart-topping singles "Jorthaale" and "Adi Odi." Their unique blend of genres and ability to create infectious melodies has earned them international acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. They performed live at Behindwoods.<ref>{{Citation |title=Jorthaale x Semma Bodha 1st Ever LIVE Performance by @AttiCulture 🤩Stage on Fire🔥Repeat Mode😍 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xchUVXd1Cpw |access-date=2023-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>

Jorthaale's hypnotic beats and unique vocals quickly gained traction, propelling the single to massive success in the Tamil music domain. Jorthaale received "Viral Song of the Year" awards at Black Sheep awards solidifying the duo's status as a powerhouse in the music industry.<ref>{{Citation |title=Atti Culture – The Rap Revolution {{!}} Spotlight ft. Asal Kolaar & Ofro {{!}} Spotlight {{!}} Blacksheep Go |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utwc3Xw0h1s |access-date=2023-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, ofRo and Asal Kolaar released their follow-up single, "Adi Odi." Building on the success of "Jorthaale," the track further explored their fusion of diverse genres, incorporating elements of Tamil folk, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. "Adi Odi" became an instant hit and a crowd favourite.

In 2023, ofRo and his long time collaborator, Ken Royson, released "Durai Sleeping"<ref>{{Citation |title=Durai & ofRo – Durai Sleeping (Music Video) {{!}} Think Originals {{!}} @AttiCulture |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPFs-hDuoWo |access-date=2023-03-19 |language=en}}</ref> as the debut song of artist, Durai. It was released on Think Music Originals.

==Discography==

=== Independent works ===

==== Singles ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Independent Singles (Producer/Songwriter) !Year !Tracks !Artists !Language |- |2016 |"10 Million" |ofRo, Keya |English |- |2018 |"October Maadham" |ofRo |Tamil |- |2018 |"Anti Indian" (live) |ofRO, Arivu |Tamil |- |2019 |"Snowlin" |ofRO, Arivu |Tamil |- |2020 |"Lityananda" |ofRO, ADK |Tamil |- |2020 |"Let Chennai Breathe" |ofRO, Sofia Ashraf, Logan |Tamil, English |- |2020 |"Yaarudaa Tamizhan" |ofRO, ADK |Tamil |- |2020 |"Asal Mob" |ofRO, Asal Kolaar |Tamil |- |2020 |"Jorthaale" |ofRO, Asal Kolaar |Tamil |- |2020 |"Vaanaambaa" |ofRO, Asal Kolaar |Tamil |- |2021 |"TikTok Luv" |Psychomantra, ofRO |Tamil |- |2021 |"Bathroom Song" |Madan Gowri, ofRO, Asal Kolaar, Durai |Tamil |- |2021 |"Ex Love Song" |Madan Gowri, ofRO, Atti Culture |Tamil |- |2021 |"Semma Bodha" |ofRO, Hyde Karty, Sago |Tamil |- |2022 |"Gowri Kalyanam" |ofRO, Madan Gowri, Sahi Siva, MC Sai, Swagatha Krishnan, M.S. Krsna |Tamil |- |2022 |"Vaasam Veesum Padam" |ofRO, Chinna Ponnu |Tamil |- |2022 |"Adi Odi" |ofRO, Asal Kolaar |Tamil |- |2023 |"Durai Sleeping" |ofRo, Durai |Tamil |- |2023 |"Tamizhi" |Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, ofRO, Ricardo Daniel Jimenez |Tamil |- |2023 |"Venam Baby" |ofRO, Asal Kolaar, G. V. Prakash |Tamil |- |2023 |"4 Bestie" |ofRo, Kelithee |Tamil |- |2023 |"Miss" |ofRo, Kelithee |Tamil |- |2024 |"Aagaya Thamarai" |ofRO, Asal Kolaar |Tamil |- |2024 |"Kaathu Mela" |Paal Dabba, ofRO, Deva |Tamil |- |2024 |"Olalai" |ofRo, Kelithee |Tamil |- |2024 |"Gomma" |ofRO, Thajmola |Tamil |- |2024 |"Mass Aaga" |IFT PROD, Boston IFT, ofRO, Selojan |Tamil |- |2025 |"Irunga Bhai" |ofRo, Kelithee |Tamil |- |2025 |"Kissa 47" |ofRo, Kelithee |Tamil |- |2025 |"VETRIVEL" |ofRO, Kelithee, Santhosh Narayanan |Tamil |- |2025 |"Kaipulla" |ofRO, Rahul Sridhar |Tamil |- |2025 |"Thalaivan Oruvan" |Santhosh Narayanan, ofRO, SVDP, The Indian Choral Ensemble |Tamil |- |2026 |"Fancy Store" |ofRo, Kelithee |Tamil |- |2026 |"Matta Gaana" |ofRo, Asal Kolaar |Tamil |}

==== Albums ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Independent Album (Producer/Songwriter) !Year !Album !Tracks !Artists !Label !Language ! class="unsortable" |{{Reference heading}} |- |2012 |''Fossil Feelings''|| *"Before I think" *"Fear not of Zen" *"Fossil Feelings" *"Workahontas" |ofRo |Cuntroll Records |Instrumental |<ref>{{Citation|last=Cuntroll|title=[CUNTROLL057] OFRO – Fossil Feelings|url=http://archive.org/details/cuntroll057Ofro-FossilFeelings|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> |- |2013 |''With You With Me''|| *"In Times Like These" *"Repeat & Delete" *"Space Between" *"Waiting and Fading" |ofRo, Elaine Dowling |Echo Vortex Records |English |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/echovortex/sets/ofro-with-you-with-me|title=Ofro – With you With Me|website=SoundCloud|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> |- |2019 |''Therukural'' || *"Kallamouni" *"Anti Indian" *"Snowlin" *"Sterlite" (skit) *"Thamizhachi" *"OKSir" *"Middle Class" |ofRo, Arivu, Roshan Jamrock, Tenma |Indie |Tamil |<ref>{{Citation|title=Therukural|date=25 June 2019|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7gBpS4mYJ2YEvd9GpDn6jI|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> |}

=== Feature films ===

==== As lyricist and playback singer ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+List of OfRo film credits as lyricist and playback singer !Year !Album !Tracks !Language !Composer !Lyricist !Co-Artist |- | rowspan="2" |2021 |''Jagame Thanthiram'' |"Naan Dhaan Da Mass" |Tamil |rowspan="2"|Santhosh Narayanan |Arivu, OfRo |Santhosh Narayanan, Arivu |- |''Jagame Tantram'' '''(D)''' |"Naathoti Race-u" |Telugu |Bhaskarabhatla, OfRo |Santhosh Narayanan |- |2022 |''Parole'' |"Neurobass Ninam" |Tamil |Rajkumar Amal |Dwarakh Raja | |- |2022 |''Mahaan'' |"Rich Rich" |Tamil |Santhosh Narayanan |Durai |Durai |- | rowspan="7" |2023 |''Rudhran'' |"Jorthaale" |Tamil |OfRo |Asal Kolaar |Asal Kolaar, MC Vickey |- | rowspan="4" |''DD Returns'' |"French Kuthu" |rowspan="4" |Tamil |rowspan="4" |Himself |Durai |Gana Muthu |- |"I'm So Prabalam" |Durai |T. M. S. Selvakumar, Susha, Gana Muthu |- |"Goinda Goinda" | |Gana Francis, Urban Thozha |- |"Da Da Dadai" | |FEFSI Vijayan |- |''Jigarthanda DoubleX'' |"10000 Pax" |Tamil |Santhosh Narayanan |OfRo | |- |''Route No. 17'' |"All Is Well" |Tamil |Ouseppachan |Arya (rap) |Arya |- | rowspan="6" |2024 | rowspan="2" |''Rebel'' |"Rise of Rebel" |Tamil |G. V. Prakash Kumar, OfRo |Arunraja Kamaraj |Arunraja Kamaraj |- |"Malakeram Poiyoru Maayandi" |Tamil |Himself |Abhi Abraham |Sarang |- |''Lover'' |"Vaadi En Trip" |Tamil |Sean Roldan |Sean Roldan | |- |''Anweshippin Kandethum'' |"Viduthal" |Malayalam |Santhosh Narayanan | |Dhee |- |''Codeyil Iruvar'' |"Aaku Paaku" |Tamil |Himself | |Gopi, Sudhakar |- |''Chennai City Gangsters'' |"My Maima" |Tamil |D. Imman | |Gana Dharani, Gaana Guna, Super Subu |- | rowspan="4" |2025 |''Sweetheart'' |"Awsum Kissa" |Tamil |Yuvan Shankar Raja | |Kelithee, Gana Francis |- |''Aaromaley'' |"Dandanakka Life'U" |Tamil |Siddhu Kumar |Vishnu Edavan |T. Rajendar |- |''Ram Abdhullah Antony'' |"Enga kita vechikitta" |Tamil |T. R. Krishna Chethan | |Jayavel Thangavelu |- |''Devil's Double Next Level'' |"Mella Saav" |Tamil |Himself | |Gana Francis |}

==== As composer ==== {| class="wikitable" |+List of OfRo film credits as composer !Year!!Film !! Notes |- |rowspan="3"|2023 ||''College Road''|| |- |''Rudhran'' || Composed one song "Jorthaale" |- |''DD Returns'' || |- | rowspan="2" |2024 |''Rebel'' || Two songs and additional Background score |- |''Codeyil Iruvar'' || Composed one song "Aaku Paaku" |- |2025 |''Devil's Double Next Level'' | |}

==== Other contributions ==== {| class="wikitable" |+As Film Score Contributor !Year !Album !Tracks !Artists !Lyrics !Language |- | rowspan="1" |2023 |''Leo'' |Original Score |OfRo |Keyboard Programming |Tamil |- |}

== References ==  {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|nm9884742}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:OfRo}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Tamil musicians Category:Indian musicians