In the overstuffed world of YouTube covers, not all renditions are created equal. That’s why Justin Bieber is worshipped by millions, while your weird uncle Gord’s jazz-fusion version take on “Takin’ Care Of Business” sits at a mathematically impossible negative four views. It’s a tough racket to break out in is what we’re getting at.
That brings us to 12-year-old Garden State talent Sparsh Shah (a.k.a. PURHYTHM) that’s been blowing up online thanks to his absolutely brilliant cover of Eminem’s “Not Afraid.” Sparsh, who shouts Shady out as is idol, lives with a congenital bone disorder known as osteogenesis imperfecta which causes bones to be brittle and prone to fracture. The condition hasn’t stopped this tween marvel from crushing this Em tune like he’s playing with cheat codes and he’s even given the track a refresh with a “classical touch.”
Here’s how Sparsh describes the performance that’s now closing in on one million views:
Hello everyone! This is Sparsh, and this my debut clean cover of Eminem’s song, “Not Afraid” (with my classical touch) from his album “Recovery” as my rapper avatar, “PURHYTHM”. I feel like “Not Afraid” has been my power song ever since I heard it for the first time and Eminem became my idol in the rap genre. He has inspired me so much with his powerful songs and lyrics (minus curses), and I aspire that one day, I could get to meet him and sing (or rap!) with him. It’s always been my dream to inspire BILLIONS of people one day with my musical talent, and I wish that dream comes true. Please like, share, and subscribe if you liked my cover! :-)
No word yet on if Eminem would take Sparsh up on his offer, but we like to imagine the two brainstorming at a local Pizza Hut over how to do a sanitized version of “Guilty Conscience.” Or maybe he could moonlight in the current incarnation of D12 as a summer job. Anyway, enough of our blabbing. Give it a gander and try not to be distracted by the Spongebob Squarepants tree ornament.
(via India Times)
