Legendary record producer and DJ of Indian descent KSHMR, born Niles-Hollowell Dhar, has released perhaps the most crucial Indian rap record “Karam”. The unprecedented effort, which arrives amidst the pervasive worldwide disruption of Indian Hip-Hop, features over two dozen marquee emcees and singers and has the potential to change Indian rap music forever.
Across the 24-track LP, which traverses 10 provocative interludes and guest verses from various Indian Hip-Hop pioneers including Nas‘ Mass Appeal India affiliates Nazz, Vedan & Dabzee, rap royalties Raja Kumari, Kr$na, Raftaar, Ikka, MC Stan, Seedhe Maut, Talha Anjum, Hanumankind, Yashraj, Riar Saab, Rawal, Phenom, Karan Kanchan, The PropheC, Munawar Faruqui & more, KSHMR pays homage to vivid Indian music and pits it against his signature trap & bass.
At first listen, “Karam” is a vivid concoction of rare Indian cinema samples, ear-shaking Hip-Hop & bass slaps and lethal lyricism which captures an immaculate narrative rarely found in a full-length record.
Across the massive album, KSHMR “tells the story through interludes”. In May this year, the pioneering record producer spoke at length about the historic Indian rap record amidst an exclusive interview.
“In the album, we tell the story through the interludes and this was something that I came up with very early on. I wanted, in each session with the musician… with the rappers, to tell them about the story I had in mind. Then for the song that they record, to put themselves into the perspective of the character at that place in the story. So, yeah. We picked a place in the story, and then we tried to make the song embody it,” KSHMR said during the conversation.
Ahead of the “Karam” LP, KSHMR premiered three massive lead singles – “Legacy”, “Bhussi” & “Haath Varthi”.
Stream ‘Karam’ by KSHMR via Spotify.
