‘Run it Up’: Hanumankind’s ‘Big Dawgs’ follow-up is another powerful ode to Indian culture

The ritual of Kandanar Kelan Theyyam is kept at the centre stage. The rapper seems to be drawing a parallel between himself and the Kandanar Kelan, the warrior who was reborn from the ashes of a burnt forest. Fire, chaos, and celebration take over the screen as backing drums slow down only to gradually increase in intensity. Hanumankind gives in to the crowd, just like Kelan gave in to the fire.

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Producer Kalmi has uses Chenda drums, an instrument that also originates in the state of Kerala. Martial art forms such as Kalaripayattu, Mardani Khel, Gatka, and Tangh Ta that are represented equally. Bijoy Shetty displays a blazing vision, with the video showcasing an epic scope and dazzling visuals. He cuts to the rhymes, and elevates the scale as the video progresses.

Hanumankind’s writing isn’t the most complex; there aren’t any double entendres that you might catch on your 16th time listening to the track, but it is impactful nonetheless. The video is far more elaborate than the rhymes, which serve as a reminder that simplicity is often the best policy. A linear rhyme scheme is combined with Hanumankind’s loud and strong cadence. The backing track even slows down to half time after the second verse, as the rapper quickly shifts the pace and delivery of his flow.

Hanumankind has often said that he doesn’t want to be described as an ‘Indian rapper’; he thinks of himself as ‘a rapper from India’. He delivers another beautiful ode to his culture while ensuring that the narrative is not limited to one identity or geographical location. This is a recurring theme in hip hop. Eminem put Detroit on the map; NWA did it with Compton; Biggie and Jay-Z did it with New York. Its important to understand why musicians feel compelled to do this. The intersection of these two identities doesn’t merely provide the musicians with a wider canvas, but also paves the way for those who might follow in their footsteps.

‘Big Dawgs’ was an international sensation, and Hanumankind could’ve suffered from the sophomore slump like so many others before him. While there are some similarities between both songs, Hanumankind seems to be ready to take a creative leap. The artist all set to perform at Coachella later this year, making him the first Indian rapper to do so.