Vandal for Hire’s ‘Paychecks’Merges Gritty Rap with Hollywood-Level Drama

Anas, who goes by the moniker Vandal for Hire just dropped a track called “Paychecks” that’s setting the underground scene on fire, and it’s easy to see why. Imagine if the dusty, valiant energy of Sacred Games was packed into a three-minute music video. That’s exactly what you get with “Paychecks.” Gang wars, bloodshed, high-speed chases, kidnappings, riots—it’s all there.

The video isn’t just a visual feast but a full-blown assault on the senses. You can practically feel the streets’ tension, the weight of the gun in your grasp, and the adrenaline rush of the chase. And get this — not only did Anas write and perform the track, but he also directed the entire video. 

From a young age, the idea that you could create music without traditional singing attracted Anas. His journey began in fifth grade, when he heard Eminem’s “Till I Collapse.” The beats and intense lyrical flow introduced him to rap. It wasn’t long before he began experimenting and writing lyrics, though he admits that he initially doubted the space for English rap in India.

Fast forward to 2024, and Anas is still chasing that high, but he’s not just following in anyone’s footsteps but rather carving out his niche. Anas’ sound is a mix of rap, metal, and rock, with inspirations from acts as diverse as Kendrick Lamar, Black Sabbath, and Rage Against the Machine which is an unlikely combination.

However, his creativity pushed him forward, leading to the creation of his debut track, “Paychecks” in 2021. Staying with friends who aspired to make films, Anas took a random beat and crafted a song that was not just music but a cinematic experience. The script was written into the lyrics, and he collaborated with a friend, Arabind, to conceptualize the visuals, though the resources to bring it to life weren’t available until years later.

Currently, Anas is working on his mixtape, titled Quasimodo is a Cash Cow, a project close to completion. He’s also dabbling in more creations, writing lyrics to tracks chosen by his friends who make films, who can then craft Instagram-specific videos for him. This low-stakes, high-creativity approach allows Anas to focus solely on his lyrical prowess, refining his craft in a pressure-free environment.

Looking back on his journey, Anas says, “I wish I would’ve started earlier.” He’s encouraging other artists to get started now if they can. While the agonizing delay in dropping his debut track, “Paychecks” is a frustrating factor, it remains an instrumental motivator as he continues to release music and keep evolving; never content settling down.

As he puts it, “It may be heresy to a lot of people, but being content is the death of creativity.” His work exemplifies this mindset. Anas is a chameleon who keeps reinventing himself, pushing his boundaries to break free from the stereotype that binds him up and at any cost, an effort to maximize outreach while still being credible.