Rap Recap: New Releases from Srushti Tawade and Spectra, Paradox, Himiee and More

Srushti Tawade and Spectra – “Makeover”

Hip-hop star Srushti Tawade reprises her persona as Chota Don in her collaboration with fellow MTV Hustle participant Spectra in the hilarious “Makeover.” Produced by Hiten, there’s plenty of comedy afoot in the verses as well as visuals, with Tawade and Spectra trading barbs like they were influenced by Eminem and Dr. Dre’s “Guilty Conscience,” except it’s much more family-friendly. The video also includes a cameo by star artist Badshah, who just has to be himself on camera.

Himiee – “Freeverse”

Gwalior hip-hop artist Himiee fires off a short but impactful freestyle track, which he simply calls “Freeverse.” Over beats by Jaydeep Hora, Himiee goes all out to count his strengths and tower over the competition, with Hindi rap. Although he does sign off on the minute-and-a-half song with a few English rhymes.

Logarhythm – “Lalbazar”

Taken as part of his new EP Gangapaar – out via Kamani Records – Logarhythm puts new impetus behind Bengali hip-hop on the lead single “Lalbazar.” With production by The Armani, there’s a menacing yet shimmering edge to the song that allows the Kolkata rapper to switch up his flows from verse to verse and offer a punchy hook proclaiming power.

Paradox – “Hasti Rahe Tu”

New Delhi’s Paradox aka Tanishq Singh shows range on his latest single “Hasti Rahe Tu,” from his EP The Unknown Letter. Gaining a whole new audience after his appearance on reality show MTV Hustle, Paradox raps from the heart on the Hindi heartbreak song. Described in a press release as “a complex and deeply personal song that explores the rapper’s troubled relationship and hopeless romanticism,” the song is produced by Hiten and Pinnocio.

Wolf.cryman, Faizan – “Monké”

Touting his own credentials as a “PhD in bullshit,” New Delhi’s wolf.cryman aka Harshit Wadhwani teams up with producer Faizan Rahman and filmmaker Yung Waris on the satirical “Monké.” It’s got a very self-aware flow, coupled with a cheery singer-songwriter production, plus a music video that allows the artist and his friends to keep things lighthearted as they sing the hook, “Return to monkey, reject humanity.”

Roy, Bongoland – “Herbal”

The second of three singles released by artist Sumit Roy and Bongoland aka Maadhavan Bhattacharjee, “Herbal” follows their February release “Coachella” and has already been followed by the next song, “Fool.” The prominent vibe is trippy and that’s helped by a mind-bending visual made by Roy and aided by filmmaker Nitish Kanjilal.

Raja RME – “Pakad Mera Swag”

Mumbai-based hip-hop artist, entrepreneur and MC Raja RME aka Raja Mukherjee locks into a drill groove on his latest song “Pakad Mera Swag.” Raja RME’s rhymes don’t stop over a pendulous beat from Outfly, packing in everything that can make the clubs bounce. Taking on haters asking them to catch up, the rapper has been releasing a few songs off his upcoming EP.

Lil Kabeer & Faizan – Darpan Store EP

Rapper Lil Kabeer teams up with singer-producer Faizan (who’s clearly having a prolific month) for their first EP together, Darpan Store. Across five tracks, we get spacey but cozy kind of storytelling from the duo, who are also aided by Yung Satya on production duties. Songs like “Isha Ke Ishare” are almost sensual, while “Apna Sapna Money Money” is satirical about the life of an artist.