Smokey The Ghost's 'HIS NAME IS ?' Is A Feminist Concept Album Featuring Meba Ofilia, Pratika & More

Smokey The Ghost has just released 'HIS NAME IS ?', a 9-track follow-up to the 2018 EP 'HER NAME IS ?'. The Bangalore-based rapper describes it as "an Intersectional feminist concept album made for women to give to men." The release is tied together with a concept that is most overtly narrated by fellow local act Yuhina in the opening 'Intro' and interludes in tracks throughout, discussing a central character (that is revealed to be "patriarchy") who is ironically referred to as "a nice guy" and "different from other men".

The album takes an approach of speaking its message directly, the majority of which the rapper borrows from conversations he has had and the included voice notes he has received. 'Dear Rapper' is a straightforward letter from Smokey to other rappers, addressing the misogyny common in rap songs, while 'F Body-Shaming' with its titular refrain doesn't require much digging (except catching the plethora of local references Smokey is a master of naturally including) to understand what it's about.

The decision to keep everything surface-level most definitely feels intentional. On tracks like the lilting lamenting 'Dear Men', which nearly chants the request to men to go to therapy, it even works as a refreshing stylistic choice. However, when the rest of the styles do not complement such a decision, as in the disco-inspired pop ditty 'S.P.I.T?' and its repeated line of "Smash patriarchy in the balls", it not only comes off short on efforts musically but also feels like its insincerely making light of a heavy subject.

In contrast, the more onerous numbers like 'Honour Killing' which utilise Smokey's potential for pairing his penmanship with dramatic delivery serve the album's intention better – even including the album's most energetic point with a breakbeat section from rapper Pratika (whose own work with Wild Wild Women is an example of effectively and directly speaking for feminism via rap). More so, option for a laidback mood for 'My Home'. which reels in Shillong's Meba Ofilia for a performance that feels unique within her work, to describe the feeling of home while very subtly hinting that problems that can hide there is where the album leaves its mark the best – both musically and conceptually.

Listen to 'HIS NAME IS ?' below and follow Smokey The Ghost for more information.