Rap Recap: New Music from Yungsta, Srushti Tawade, Hukeykaran and More

Yungsta, Hadi. – Ulte Seedhe Gaane EP

After his definitive album MEEN, New Delhi rapper Yungsta goes the experimental route with Kerala-origin, American producer Hadi. on the new EP Ulte Seedhe Gaane. Over roving production that goes from synth-fests (“Crosshair” with Mumbai rapper Yashraj) to slinky beats and straight-up towering thumps (“USG”), there’s plenty that proves Yungsta can do it all and keep his incisive Hindi flow intact.

Yelhomie – “Is India My Home?”

Released on the anniversary of the ongoing unrest and war in Manipur, local rapper Yelhomie is unsparing in his aim on “Is India My Home?” A wake-up call, the conscious hip-hop song goes beyond Manipur and the Northeast’s position in India, with Yelhomie saving his fiercest bars to talk about living helplessly amid corruption, discrimination and systemic oppression as well as fearing for the safety of women and minorities including Muslims in India.

Hukeykaran – “Khoto Sikko”

If there’s any name in Gujarati rap who has shot through the clutter to represent the state in recent times, it’s Hukeykaran. The Surat hip-hop artist unlocked a new audience with songs like “Ame Gujarati” last year and released his EP Che Te Che in February. The prolific streak continues with his latest single “Khoto Sikko,” more in the party-rap space not too far from Mumbai rap star Emiway Bantai in terms of influence.

Aman Fankaar – “Tarkash”

Released in March, Indore-repping hip-hop artist Aman Fankaar has since gone on to release another single called “Main,” and while that’s more introspective, “Tarkash” is more statement-making in its intent. The first release and title track from his upcoming album Tarkash, Fankaar fires off about his journey so far, getting loud and elastic in his delivery, with production by Mickey.

Archiesman Kundu – “Oli Te Goli Te”

Swerving in and out of English, Hindi and Bengali in his inimitable style, Bengali artist Archiesman Kundu flexes his achievements and says he’s in the game because of his love for rap on “Oli Te Goli Te.” As explosive (literally, with sounds of explosions) and bombastic on the beat front, Kundu lays it all out, including a nod to his roots in the village of Garhbeta. Kundu is now following up with another song, “Gucci,” on May 6th.

Ray3urn, XTACY, Trichia Grace-Ann – “Buff”

Mumbai artist Trichia Grace-Ann teams up with producer Ray3urn and rapper-producer XTACY on “Buff,” which takes listeners to the club with its flittering production only to throw punches and dress down the competition. While XTACY leads the scathing charges, Trichia comes in on the second half of the song with rapped and sung vocals, adding more diversity to the track.

Spitty, FeniFina, Mrii – “New Wave”

Repping Indian-origin and the Desi diaspora, rappers Spitty and FeniFina along with producer Mrii confidently claim they’re part of the “New Wave” on their collaboration. Mrii brings in just the right amount of Indian classical-informed production, while Mumbai/Toronto rapper FeniFina switches between Hindi and English for her verse and Spitty offers off mutual respect and the “Desi styling” that they’re bringing to hip-hop.

Raathee – Sriharivaasa – The Middle Class Bounce

Among the key independent rappers, Raathee’s Kannada rap gets a full album’s worth of bops with the release of his debut record Sriharivaasa – The Middle Class Bounce. Bengaluru’s Kannada rap players like Smokey the Ghost (the horn section incorporating “The Gandhi Company”), Rahul Dit-O (“Lekkachaara”) and MC Bijju (“Middle Class”) light up the album, and Raathee stands on his own as well on songs like “Ghatotkacha,” “Kannadada Jcole” and more.

Devoid – Real Isai Naadagam

Chennai rapper Devoid aka Devanand is a storytelling ace on his debut album Real Isai Naadagam. Starting off as a dancer and then turning to rap, there’s an aspirational streak embedded into Devoid’s Tamil and English rap. The 13-track album starts strong with “Fact Check,” “Rap Panna Poren” and “Porul” with rapper Anohnymouss. There’s clearly a whole rap movement that wants to stay independent and not just in it for major label attention and Devoid hammers that point home, with a little bit of boom bap, drill (“Gee Boom Bah”) and other rap styles on songs like “Knife Point (Confession)” and the title track.

Roy & Bongoland – “Socho”

Nearly three years after dropping socio-politically acerbic songs from his project Herock, rapper Roy offers a successor to songs like “Baari Hamaari,” “Chowkidaar,” “Paisa Fake” and “Sab Jagmag.” Teaming up with his go-to producer Bongoland, Roy’s new song “Socho” travels in and out of electronic music as the rapper offers his tongue-in-cheek wordplay about the state of the country, with plenty of pop culture references, from cult movie Mr. India’s villain Mogambo to lawmakers.

Srushti Tawade, Zero Chill – “We Don’t Care”

Mumbai rapper and singer-songwriter Srushti Tawade likely took a good, long look at the world around us after the release of her debut album Breadcrumbs in September 2023 to write a socially conscious rap song like “We Don’t Care.” Produced by Zero Chill, Tawade is crestfallen in her tone but keeps things engaging on the track – a Spanish hook that references how war and terrorism is killing children (in a likely reference to the Israeli war on Palestine) and why it matters to speak up now more than ever.

Moksh, Yugi – “Shillong Se Rajdhani”

At the end of his 2023 album Almost There, Shillong hip-hop artist Moksh offers a breezy yet confident summary of his life so far with “Shillong Se Rajdhani.” Produced by Yugi, there’s now a music video with performance footage from Moksh’s recent show as well as the rapper being surrounded by fans and friends as they hype him up for being in this for the long run. The track also celebrates Moksh completing five years in hip-hop.