Page 39 - Rolling Stone - India (December 2019)

New Delhi rapper
Prabh Deep MC Manmeet
showcased his high- Kaur on the
energy at Haq Se deck at Haq Se
Hindustan. Hindustan.

Mumbai crew Swadesi Dope Daddy (right)
and electronica artist and Stony Psyko
Bandish Projekt during of Dopeadelicz
their closing set at Haq performing at Haq
Se Hindustan. Se Hindustan.

beatsmith Bandish Projekt. Whether it was the 9. KHASI BLOODZ AND Nash, Prabh lived up to the hype and then
breakaway couplets about government corrup- PRABH DEEP BRING THE some.
tion or incisive delivery on his verses in “Raukto HOUSE DOWN
De,” “Jhand” and “Khaari Baat,” 100RBH was in Shillong hip-hop crew Khasi Bloodz and New 10. SWADESI’S SEISMIC
devastating form and is likely to go from strength Delhi’s Punjabi wordsmith Prabh Deep both FUSION HIP-HOP CLOSING
to strength. had exceptional live bands enhancing their slick SET WITH BANDISH PROJEKT
production and it’s probably something we need If you wanted to be treated to experimental
8. DOPEADELICZ BRING to see more often in India’s live circuit. Khasi hip-hop fusion, then hip-hop crew Swadesi
MUMBAI FLAVOR, PRAISE Bloodz were unsparing and snarling in their intent (featuring MC Mawali, MC Tod Fod and MC
THE CHRONIC on songs like “Don’t Stop” and “Pain,” almost Maharya) and seasoned electronica artist Mayur
Mumbai crew Dopeadelicz featuring rappers Dope inflecting a gangsta rap style, backed by drummer Narvekar aka Bandish Projekt’s collaborative set
Daddy and Stony Psyko not only brought their Mum- Gideon Kom, guitarist Imti Kharkongor and bass- was a must-hear. The trio put on a strong
bai fire to the Haq Se stage but also showcased their ist Jerry Nelson Ranee and DJ Knack aka Duncan showcase with the usage of konnakol, bass-heavy
versatility by rapping in Hindi, Marathi and Tamil. Kharmalki. sounds, clever dynamics and powerful rhythms
Dopeadelicz’s set included tracks such as the jumpy Prabh Deep ran on stage to become one and more. They crunched out tracks from their
“Bounce” off multi-instrumentalist/producer Aakash of the most demanding performers of the collaborative Katal Kalaa and Khulle Naagde EPs
Ravikrishnan recently released album Over Seas, the night, and the crowd did supply the energy – such as the Indian classical-leaning “Kar Natak,”
cheeky “Legalize It,” the brand new glitchy “Wake Up,” from a wall of death on just a slice of “Class- the pumping “Ek Se Aanth” and the raucous
the sassy “Aai Shapath Saheb Me Navtho” and more. Sikh Maut II” to stomp-arounds for songs “Mumbai Aamchi.” Swadesi also performed a
The hometown boys definitely drove home their set like “Sauce,” “Maya” and “Suno.” Backed by chopped and screwed remix version of their
with high energy, plenty of crowd interaction, typical- drummer Sahil Shah, bassist and synth artist hard-hitting protest song “The Warli Revolt”
ly American hip-hop attire and banging verses. Hashbass aka Harshit Misra and DJ/hypeman which left no one standing still.

December 2019 | Rolling Stone India | 39