The distinct, syncopated rhythm of the Chenda Melam drums — traditionally heard at temple festivals in Kerala and alongside Kathakali and Koodiyattam performances — resonating in the far off desert land of Coachella Valley, was not the cultural invasion Empire Polo Club in California anticipated. At Coachella – the premier space where artistes often come to build themselves – Hanumankind aka Sooraj Cherukat, the Malappuram-born, Texas-bred rapper – was writing a momentous chapter and pushing the boundaries for hip-hop from India with his set on April 11.
“Make some noise for my Chenda boys,” he said with a smile at the Mojave Tent of the festival. The frenzy had the crowd pounding its limbs and chanting along as the rapper made a long dive into his recent hit Run it Up alongside US-based Malayali band Kochuveettil Beats, the members of which came dressed in white shirts and traditional mundus. The moshpit vibrated along and soon enough, the rapper let it rip, giving hip-hop from India a historic moment with one banger after the other. Here was a rapper pulling his heritage along and he really made some noise.
Run it Up, the rapper’s song released last month, is an ode to Indian heritage with Indian martial arts (including Kalaripayettu and Gatka taking centre stage) paired with the quintessence of hip-hop and his unique style. It came after his super successful Big Dawgs, where he stood in a clay pit and quarried thoughts about identity. The song got the world talking as motorists in a velodrome zipped around him. Run it Up had also found attention from PM Modi, who mentioned it in his programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ recently.
Hanumankind has become the fourth Indian artiste – after Punjabi pop stars Diljeet Dosanjh, AP Dhillon and Carnatic classical and R&B singer Sid Sriram – to make a debut at the famed festival. This year also featured pop sensation Lady Gaga, rappers Travis Scott and Post Malone, and English singer-songwriter Charlie xcx. The headline act came from American punk pop giants Green Day, which found much attention due to their political statement. The group, which has been scathing in its criticism of American society, changed the lyrics to their 2004 song Jesus of Suburbia in support of Palestine. “Runnin’ away from pain, like the kids from Palestine/ Tales from another broken home,” sang frontman Billie Joe Armstrong in place of the original, which is “Runnin’ away from pain when you’ve been victimised”. Since Coachella happens over two weekends with the same line-up, Hanumankind is likely to fire up the stage next weekend too.
What has worked for Hanumankind, clad in a black jeans and ganji at the festival, is that he’s always had his identity entwined into his performance. Here was a rapper from India on a global stage, standing tall and talking about his roots while rapping in an American accent alongside traditional drums from Kerala.
What makes Hanumankind interesting is that he isn’t just an English rapper from India, he is an Indian rapper who is representing India on a global stage. And it is his authenticity, a refusal to water down his cultural uniqueness, that has made his ascent a watershed moment for South Asian hip-hop and for newer artistes wanting to break new ground. India and his fans all over the world will be looking forward to the next weekend.
