South Asian Hip-Hop

South Asian, Indian, or Desi music is a largely growing scene in New York City and many other metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Indian remix or Desi music is a fusion of hip hop, rap techno and reggae mixed with Hindi film music and Bhangra. 

This Desi subculture can bring together participants from various different socioeconomic backgrounds. The subculture and music allows participants to transgress any racial gendered or class boundaries because many participants will sport the same kinds of clothing, use the same dialect, and attend the same parties but exist in very different socioeconomic classes.

Desi subculture provides second and third generation Indian-Americans with a space to express themselves by combining traditional indian music with american hip hop, drum and bass, and virtually any other genre Dj's decide they want to fuse. It allows these participants to make a space fully their own where they can combine pertinent aspects of their heritage and their identity as an american to create music that is completely unique. 

Many forms of South Asian Hip-Hop exist, so it is important view numerous artists from different countries and backgrounds.

Iraj-


When it comes to South Asian hip hop, Sri Lanka’s Iraj stands very tall. Iraj has many number one singles and a consecutive series of top ten hits. He has two number one albums “Chapter Two Aloke” and “Iraj.” Iraj has a Television show called “Da Iraj Show.” He was seen in London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Korea, and many other places for his sold out world tour. Iraj has become an icon for Sri Lanka and South Asian hip hop.

While being seen and new and different, Iraj still falls into many of the sterotypes of hip hop. In the video tilted “Triuda” he and his posse rob a bank. They spend a good portion of the video running from the police and shooting handgun’s from their expensive cars and motorcycles. Iraj and his posse wear expensive clothing and blinged out jewelry as well.




Karmacy-

Karmacy is a desi rap crew made up of three members KB, Nimo, and Swap. They are known for combing driving bass lines and heavy percussion with cross-cultural beats that pay homage to the groups ethnic background. They include multilingual flows laced with vivid depictions of cultural themes and hardships the members face as they bridge the gap between Indian cultural themes and American ones. They say they create their music to allow listeners to challenge current thoughts and beliefs and also to provoke intense thought.

The song "Blood Brothers"provides listeners with the three members insights and struggles they face between american culture, hip hop, cultural family expectations, and many other unique struggles members face. On their facebook page, the group said "Blood Brothers" was among one of the first songs that helped allow their traditional Indian families to understand and respect the art the group strives to create.

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When hearing this song what were the first things that came to mind?

Referencing the reading, were you able to draw clear distinctions between the culture/subcultures being sampled in the music?

Lowkey-

Lowkey is an English Iraqi hip hop artist. Although he is not necessarily South Asian, certain content in his music is very interesting to unpack. In this video for his song "Terrrorist" he speaks on a new aspect of racial prejudice and discrimination. The video is loaded with many war relating signs, blood, showing him as a prisoner etc. His production includes heavily sampled cultural music with driving hip-hop bass, and riviting cracks and rattles of the invigorating percussion.