Kim the Beloved, RANJ, Clifr, Tienas, Dizlaw & Jelo Come Together For Gritty Political Single 'BLOODBATH'

One of Indian hip-hop's formative labels, Azadi Records has galvanised a chunk of their current roster – Mumbai's Tienas and Dizlaw, Bangalore duo RANJ & Clifr, and Mizoram's Kim the Beloved and Jelo – for the single 'BLOODBATH'.

With a sample from a parody song by comedian Kunal Kamra's recent controversial stand-up kicking off the track and setting the defiant tone, the artists take turns dropping verses over Clifr's grungy production full of distorted tones and guitar solos – criticising the current government for destroying the nation while using religious fanaticism to cover up their tracks and quashing any criticism with fascist play. Besides bringing the political outspokenness that had defined desi hip-hop during its rise and which has been relatively missing (though never fully absent) from its cream crops in recent years, the track is an admirable display of the artists' contrasting styles.

Dizlaw's more straightforward but admirably to-the-point bars do reflect his moderate experience when put near the more honed penmanship of Tienas while both Kim the Beloved and Jelo represent the Mizo crop of rappers with their high-pitched delivery – the former presenting a notably dynamic flow while the other keeps his verses relentless. The most pleasant surprise comes from RANJ, who effortlessly switches from her usual fare of R&B singing to rap during the tracks' breakdown, holding the energy with her concise lyrics that are both self-empowering and critique moral policing women as she delivers unaided by nothing but the drums.

Watch the music video for 'BLOODBATH' below and follow Dizlaw, Tienas, Kim the Beloved, Ranj, Clifr and Jelo for more.

Artwork by Keshav Bhugra