In a time when Hip Hop has traveled to each nook of the world, Heems remains to be the main importer of South Asian customs to the style’s indigenous breeding floor.
Born and raised in Queens, New York Metropolis, the Indian-American MC’s heritage has been central to his output from the very starting. The cult standing this area of interest has afforded him stretches far past the underground standing most impartial acts are condemned to as a result of there’s actually nobody else fairly like him.
In spite of everything, leaning into virtually any identification from the opposite aspect of the globe — Desi, Punjabi, Hindu or Pakistani — whereas current within the West does make it powerful to not stand out. Heems, nevertheless, has all the time used “otherness” to his profit with an informed, tongue-in-cheek panache that he channels by bars marinated in an expansion of Jap flavors.
For his newest album, LAFANDAR (Hindi/Urdu: somebody who’s mischievous, unpredictable and foolhardy), the 38-year-old teamed up with producer Lapgan to concoct what’s arguably his most unclouded bundle so far. A number of toes faraway from the punky fuzziness of his earlier solo data — the final of which was launched nearly a decade in the past — it looks as if Heems has discovered his match in a fellow Indian-American beatmaker who completely understands the target.
Launched by way of Veena Sounds and Mass Attraction India, the 12-track LP clocks in at just a bit over half an hour and wastes little to no house. With a pattern platter consisting of cuts from half the world away, the voice of the operation has loads of room to discover a tasteful stability between sociopolitical cognizance and arbitrary, droll utterances paying homage to Motion Bronson.
Regardless of the recurring tropes rooted in Heems’ tradition of origin, the album doesn’t have a binding theme apart from the musings of a rapper with a complete lot happening in his head. Nonetheless, there’s a familiarity to his lyrics and the beats they glide over that listeners of South Asian lineage most certainly don’t really feel from the vast majority of Hip Hop inside and past the US.
Unserious and foolish but intelligent and witty, it’s evident from the phrases and sounds of LAFANDAR that the 2 minds behind it are fueled by a novel, neither-here-nor-there expertise. Strains reminiscent of “I’m a baby of immigrants/ Yo I converse the mom tongue however I’m illiterate” on the opening observe, and “I maintain mixing my Vs and Ws up” on “Kala Tika” are fairly particular to stated situation, which is why their relatability — one thing rap followers typically search out — has restricted scope.
Likewise, the recurring “Himanshu” tags (the rapper’s actual title stated with the cadence of an Indian mum or dad) scattered over Lapgan’s Desi-flavored instrumentals just like the sparkly “Yellow Chakra” and brooding “Baba Ganoush” do have the makings of a subcategory.
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Nonetheless, Heems’ inventive spirit is steered by the core ethos of the craft. That’s exactly why distinct, post-colonial sentiments like “Fuck the Queen/ White lady with my Nani [Hindi/Urdu: grandmother] jewellery” on “Yo Momma” translate quite fluently contemplating Hip Hop was was born out of anti-authoritarianism.
In fact, there’s a aspect to Heems that’s simpler to digest for many who don’t get the references to divine figures like Vishnu or the Delhi Metro. Finest illustrated by the outdo’s feisty decry of “Fuck-a Sony, Common and-a Warner,” his dedication to no-nonsense Hip Hop is well-known and acknowledged within the tradition, or else he gained’t have had Kool Keith, Sir Michael Rocks, Open Mike Eagle, Your Previous Droog and Blu (simply to call a number of) taking part in supporting roles on the document.
Heems’ previous with Das Racist and ongoing alliance with Riz MC and Redinho as a member of Swet Store Boys has earned him a stable legacy already, albeit as a task participant. LAFANDAR, then again, brings out all that’s peculiar but endearing about him and his artistry — the supply of a slacker, precision of a surgeon and consciousness of a pilgrim.
RELEASE DATE: February 16, 2024
RECORD LABEL: Veena Sounds/Mass Attraction India
Take heed to LAFANDAR beneath:
