#HaqSeHindustan Lineup: Khasi Bloodz

This young collective of Shillong-based rappers, Khasi Bloodz have established themselves as powerful voices representing the youth of the North East. Comprising rappers Donbok Kharkongor aka D-Bok, Ritik Roy Malngiang aka Big Ri and Lamonte Pakyntein aka D-Mon, Khasi Bloodz won the MTV EMA award for the Best India Act in 2018 with vocalist and rapper Meba Ofilia on their collaborative track “Done Talking.”

Founded in 2009, Khasi Bloodz rose to fame in the mid-2010s with lyricism revolving around brotherhood, social justice, peace and politics, creating discussions around the North East of India’s complicated relationship with the rest of the country. The crew rap mainly in English and Khasi, the native language in Meghalaya. In 2016 Khasi Bloodz were one of three major hip-hop crews (the other two were Cryptographik Street Poets and Symphonic Movement) that worked on “Anthem For The North East,” a track highlighting the region’s culture–both traditional and hip-hop.

The crew’s sound oscillates between spitting straight fire over old-school hip-hop beats, soul (heard on “Done Talking”) and blends of slow R&B, more recently exploring chill-hop on their latest single “Hit It Right.”

Khasi Bloodz will be performing live at Haq Se Hindustan, a concert presented by digital media firm Qyuki and Rolling Stone India on November 14th at Famous Studios in Mumbai. Get tickets here.