Watch: Cartel Madras’ Explosive New Single ‘Goonda Gold’
The trap/hip-hop sister duo from Canada will release their new EP ‘Age of the Goonda’ via Sub Pop
Indo-Canadian trap/hip-hop duo Cartel Madras are out with their new EP 'Age of the Goonda.' Photo: Ralph and Floyd Gonzalez/Courtesy of Sub Pop
Just about a year since we last spoke to them and Indo-Canadian rap duo Cartel Madras have initiated their next phase – global conquest. On their latest music video and single “Goonda Gold,” sisters Bhagya Ramesh aka Eboshi and Priya Ramesh aka Contra are locked and loaded to take on the world.
The song marks their second release (after “Lil Pump Type Beat” in September) with Seattle’s famous record company Sub Pop, home to Soundgarden, Sleater-Kinney, Iron & Wine and Father John Misty, among others. Cartel Madras performed at a festival called Sled Island in their hometown of Calgary last year, where Sub Pop signee and hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces’ Ishmael Butler saw them and signed them. He tells us, “They’re electric, totally tapped into the current. And c’mon two fly sisters spitting heat? Real rare… it’s too good.”
On “Goonda Gold,” there’s an amped-up, booming beat provided by Vancouver trap producer Skinny Local, throwing in everything from tabla to devotional chants. The sisters proclaim on the track, “Bitch I’m bad/I’m brown/I’m gold.” While the video was made by filmmakers Bhaveek and Jashan Makkan, the duo adds that every visual and sonic trait aims to craft their own signature style called “goonda rap.” Their forthcoming EP Age of the Goonda, which releases on November 1st, forays into a darker but hard-hitting sound. “Working with people from our hometown was an important part of crafting this EP; we wanted to include the influence of the people we work and create art with,” the sisters say. The EP also includes “Glossy,” produced by Kochi producer Parimal Shais which also featured on his album Kumari Kandam Traps, Vol.1.
Cartel Madras have a Canada run of shows coming up, supporting ace hip-hop artists such as Clipping, Hollerado and Fetty Wap between October and December. The duo adds that there’s been interest for the release coming from India as well. “We will hopefully be doing a tour in India in 2020,” the pair says.
Watch the video for “Goonda Gold” below.
