a rapper who uses his music to straddle his distinct identities.
In a short time, Indian rapper Hanumankind has become a standout in the country’s growing hip-hop scene.
His newest track ‘Big Dawgs’ briefly overtook Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ on the global music charts.
The music video exudes energy as he stomps around a ‘Well Of Death’ while motorists zip past him.
Featuring Kalmi, ‘Big Dawgs’ was released in July 2024 and it has earned over 140 million streams on Spotify and 88 million YouTube views, catapulting him onto the global stage.
On the surface, Hanumankind’s music follows the delivery of hard-edged stories of street life through explicit lyrics and raw prose.
But a deeper look reveals a rapper who uses his music to straddle his distinct identities.
Born in Kerala, Hanumankind – whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat – spent his childhood living in different countries. He has lived in France, Nigeria, Egypt and Dubai.
However, his formative years were spent in Houston, Texas, and it was here that his musical career took shape.
Houston has its own hip-hop culture.
In Houston’s hip-hop scene, cough syrup is the drug of choice. Its dizzying effect led to the creation of the “screwed-up” remix, where tracks are slowed down to reflect the syrup’s influence.
Hanumankind’s music pays tribute to Texas hip-hop legends such as DJ Screw, UGK, Big Bunny and Project Pat.
Although their influence is evident in his rap, his style evolved further after he returned to India in 2021.
He earned a business degree and worked at firms like Goldman Sachs before realising it wasn’t for him. That’s when he decided to pursue rapping full-time, a passion he had previously only pursued on the side.
Hanumankind’s songs often explore the struggles of southern Indian street life, blending hard-hitting vocal delivery with catchy rhythms. Occasionally, tabla beats and synthesisers complement his verses.
In a song titled ‘Genghis’, he raps: “We got issues in our nation cause there’s parties at war.”
‘Big Dawgs’ presents an alternative to the luxury associated with mainstream rap. He ditches flashy cars and focuses on small-city stuntmen, who come from poor families and are part of a dying art form in India.
He told Complex: “These are the people that are the real risk-takers… Those are the big dogs, for real.”
Although Hanumankind has attracted attention, he has also received criticism.
Some believe his songs are less impactful for Indian listeners.
Unlike other Indian rappers, Hanumankind’s music is in English, which may limit his resonance with non-English-speaking audiences.
Others have accused him of mimicking Western artists.
The rapper has also faced racism online for his unique rap style.
Some international listeners struggle to accept that he is from India because he doesn’t “look or sound” like their expectations.
Meanwhile, his Indian audience ridicules him for the same reasons, wishing he conformed more to their image of Indian identity.
But it is this unique style that fans have come to love.
Delhi-based psychiatrist Arnab Ghosh said:
“He isn’t trying to cater to an Indian audience, which shows in his music and he is unapologetic about it.
“When I listen to his music it can be from anywhere in the world. That sort of universality is appealing to me.”
Listen to ‘Go To Sleep’
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