#HaqSeHindustan Lineup: Swadesi + Bandish Projekt

When Ahmedabad-bred electronic music producer Mayur Narvekar’s Bandish Projekt and Mumbai hip-hop group Swadesi first came together in 2016 to the EP Katal Kalaa together and immediately it was clear they were on to something. They were a new breed of collaborative power in desi hip-hop, redefining the country’s rap narrative with experimental new fusion and they aren’t done yet.

Formed 2007, electronic music outfit Bandish Projekt was initially a duo comprising Mayur Narvekar and Udyan Sagar before each of them went their separate ways. Narvekar took the Bandish Projekt forward, carving a diverse signature soundscape by dabbling in trip-hop, DnB, R&B, dub step and more. The Bandish Projekt has also gained fame for being able to incorporate indian instrumentals and vibes to celebrate the country’s culture and heritage—as you’ll hear clearly on his collaborative works with Swadesi.

Mumbai-based hip-hop crew Swadesi formed in 2013 and has a rotating roster of artists who choose to spit verse in several different Indian languages including Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali and Hindi. The crew often address various social-political in their lyricism and features some of the most promising names in desi rap like MCs Tod Fod, Mawali and Mayavi, Bengali rapper Maharya and Amravati rapper 100 RBH. Together, Swadesi and the Bandish Projekt reflect the ever-evolving soundscape of indian hip-hop. Their latest collaborative EP Khulle Naagde which dropped in May earlier this year features powerful, spacey bass drops and swooping synths paired with Bengali, Marathi and Hindi verse.

Swadesi and the Bandish Projekt 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.