Rap Recap: New Releases from Loka, Dopeadelicz’ Stony Psyko, Demyth ft Kalpya, Ace aka Mumbai and More

Loka — “Arthur Road”

For about eight weeks in 2023, Mumbai rapper Loka was in jail for charges leveled against him for drug smuggling. He was eventually granted bail and released in May. He chronicles this journey and his stint in jail on the song “Arthur Road,” which is also accompanied by another single called “Mulaqaat.” Over a drill production, Loka draws from what he’s been through to produce his strongest work yet, rapping about how he held hope and confidence in the face of difficult circumstances.

Xenon Phoenix — “Big City Love”

For the first time, Siliguri artist Xenon Phoenix moves just a little past the hip-hop realm, lending his somber distinctive vocals over a mystique-heavy house beat by producer Anyvibe on “Big City Love.” Emerging from a love-hate relationship that was toxic, the rapper keeps things buoyant and quick, with the track clocking in just under two minutes but being a bop every bit of the way.

Stony Psyko/Dopeadelicz — Madrasi Mulga EP

On his solo EP Madrasi Mulga, Mumbai-based multilingual rapper Stony Psyko from Dopeadelicz does a bit of housekeeping, in his own words, cleaning up the clutter in desi hip-hop. From the high-energy, shouty “Waat Lagli” and the quickfire “Baghtos Kay” to the aptly stoner rap cut “Remedy” and party vibes on “Mast Aahe,” Stony Psyko fires off with the drill-informed song “Dokyala Traas.” A Marathi and Hindi EP, Madrasi Mulga proves the range and pen game that Stony Psyko possesses when he focuses on just one language.

Ace aka Mumbai — “Tera Khayaal Aaya”

Part of his upcoming album Sober, rapper Ace aka Mumbai from Mumbai’s Finest uses his inimitable, honed rap style for a love song this time, on “Tera Khayaal Aaya.” The real winner on the track produced by the artist is the hook, because it introduces wavy, lo-fi vibes along with a hint of horns and sung vocals that elevate Ace’s artistry.

Niya Love — Pull Up EP

While she consider herself a hip-hop goddess – with a single called, well, “HipHopGoddess” out this week – Mumbai rapper and singer-songwriter Niya Love’s EP Pull Up via Kamani Records from earlier this year deserves just as much attention. Taking on a mumble-rap style that’s in the same vein as MC Stan and others, songs like “Mood Off” are incendiary in their tone, while the Marathi song “Manuskine Rahayla Shikvaycha Hay” matches the pace of Maharashtrian folk percussion and ebbs and flows mysteriously. “Narcos GTM” sticks with a hook, while “Vashikaran” returns with Marathi, English and Hindi blended together and “422” takes on an almost euphoric tone.

Demyth ft Kalpya, A-Sid — “Ghetto”

Producer A-SID crafts a beat drawn right from the streets of Mumbai during festival season and flips it into drill, bass music and more for rappers Demyth and Kalpya to run riot on “Ghetto.” Rapping about community, confidence and the road ahead, the Hindi song has a fiery verse exchange between Demyth and Kalpya, who have released their first collaboration together.

Thapa — Hungama Pogo EP

Inspired by children’s programs such as Bob the Builder, Doraemon and Power Rangers but also beloved action/comedy/reality show Takeshi’s Castle, New Delhi/London artist’s debut EP Hungama Pogo deserves your attention just because it does everything differently compared to what’s out there in desi hip-hop. From schoolyard sayings to childhood memories, Thapa mines all his experiences and fantasies around T.V. shows to deliver a journey through nine tracks, aided by producers and rappers like Culture Ghalib, Babu Bhaiya, Akarsh and Wolf.cryman, among others.

Abhishek Roy — “Salam Thok”

Jamshedpur hip-hop artist Abhishek Roy’s new song “Salam Thok” isn’t just about ballsy rap, but draws you in with its visual narrative about drug abuse, mafia business and more. Roy, who’s worked with producer Rofflala, doesn’t let the energy flag even once in the span of four and a half minutes in the Hindi track (with a smattering of English), which has a slinky guitar line running throughout.