Rapper Logarhythm on the Challenge of Bengali Hip-Hop and His New EP ‘Gangapaar’

From conviction to doubt and back into life-affirming bars, Kolkata-bred rapper Logarhythm aka Mainak Ghosh’s new EP Gangapaar packs in resolute Bengali hip-hop like few others in the country.

The follow-up to his 2020 album R.O.O.T.S (Rhymes On Oblivion Taped Society), Logarhythm cuts loose and fires quick on the three-track Gangapaar, released via Kamani Records. The rapper says that compared to his debut album, a different soundscape was desired for the EP’s songs “Amra Shobai Raja,” “Jajabor” and “Lalbazar” with producer Tha Armani. That was fueled by the idea of becoming a different persona between records. The rapper says, “The Logarhythm in R.O.O.T.S is still an artist who is in search of himself. The story is still unexplored, he thinks twice before saying anything, thinking about the repercussions. Whereas Gangapaar is an altogether different project. This project is completely fearless. Here the artist is the one who says things on your face.”

In December last year, Logarhythm says he was struck by the narrative of talking about “daily life hustles and mental peace” of artists while working on a single. He then called up Tha Armani and shared the concept and the beats were ready in two weeks. “We didn’t have any references while making it, we just had three names and I had a vibe in mind,” Logarhythm adds. Beatsmith and sound engineer DRJ Sohail was called in to mix and master Gangapaar.

The narrative was at least partially inspired by Logarhythm’s own goal to put Bengali hip-hop on the map, a movement that’s seen everyone from Kolkata mainstay Cizzy to the somewhat divisive diaspora group Bhanga Bangla. Although Logarhythm envisions Bengali hip-hop to be huge in the next five years, he admits the challenge remains in terms of presenting a different language. The rapper often writes in Hindi as well, but says there are fewer investors at the moment. “All [that] is needed is breaking the stereotypes. I would like to conclude this by saying ‘Success can be quick but legacies take time.’ I’m here for legacy and I’ll do whatever it takes,” Logarhythm adds.

With music videos for “Amra Shobai Raja” and “Lalbazar” out, the rapper has more projects lined up through the year. There are singles in Bengali and Hindi, plus collaborations. “But the most important thing is my debut full-length Bengali album. It’s my dream project. It has a crazy soundscape with some star-studded features and I’m really excited for it,” he adds.

Watch the video for “Amra Shobai Raja” below. Stream ‘Gangapaar’ EP here.