Hear Gangtok Rapper UNB’s Hard Hitting New EP ‘Made In India’

On the intro track to UNB aka Ugen Namgyal Bhutia’s new EP Made In India, the rapper cuts straight to the harsh realities of how natives from the country’s northeast often face discrimination and racism in their daily lives from ignorant countrymen. The Gangtok-origin, New Delhi-based artist says, “Most of my songs are in Nepali so when I hang around with my fellow citizens I have to explain to them every time how I’m Nepali but I’m not from Nepal.”

He goes on to explain that there’s millions from the Nepali-speaking community who are Indian citizens. One of his pivotal points in the intro track remains throwing light on the fact that Nepali is amongst the 22 official languages listed in the Indian constitution. He adds, “This is a small step towards the acknowledgement of our existence, being Indian-Nepali and from the northeast. This project is more of civil awareness than [anything with] a political agenda.”

Across seven tracks, UNB is at his strongest with the rhymes, taking names and throwing shade in English, Hindi and Nepali. Making music since 2013, Made In India is UNB’s first record to feature Hindi lyrics, heard best on songs like “Hum Bhi Kya Kum Hain” and “Made In China Nai,” as he tears into stereotypes with witty wordplay about the northeast’s food and culture.

His fourth EP and following 2019’s Chilayo, UNB also helms producer duties to bring together typically trap and hip-hop beats that enhance the menace and snarl of his delivery on songs like “Jal Barse.” On the lyrics front, the rapper says he had no problems thinking specifically of Hindi bars (“language is just a medium,” he says) and pushed himself so that he could make his point very clear on the EP. UNB says, “I love making music in my own language. But the fact that most people are not aware of our existence as an Indian, made me rap in Hindi so that I can represent my community.”

The only song that retains his Nepali flow is the closing track “Dhoti,” which UNB seems to have included as a message for his fans in Nepal. “When people from Nepal found out that I am an Indian by nationality, They started calling me with a very common word they use for Indians which is ‘dhoti.’ So this song is a reply to all the comments I receive on my songs and posts from haters,” the rapper says, even though he adds that he loves all his fans in Nepal.

Plans for videos off Made In India were in motion but due to the coronavirus lockdown, UNB says it’s all been “ruined.” He adds, “But soon I’m coming up with the visual of ‘Dhoti,’ which I shot before the lockdown.”

Listen to ‘Made In India’ via Kauso Entertainment below. Stream on more platforms here.