Mumbai’s iconic emcee and Indian Hip-Hop superstar Emiway Bantai, real name Bilal Shaikh, has returned with a hard-hitting rap record. Titled “Kudi”, the single is produced by deyz and serves as Bantai’s first single after releasing the third rap album “King of the Streets”.
Released through Delhi’s nascent yet impactful Namoh Studios, which has often linked up with Indian rap pioneer Yo Yo Honey Singh for various rap records, the single arrives alongside a vivid music video starring Bantai’s girlfriend and Indian film actor Swaalina, born Halina Kuchey.
Bantai’s latest single is the result of perhaps the “Kya Bolti Public” rapper’s thriving relationship with Yo Yo Honey Singh. In April this year, the Bantai Records label boss linked up with the International Villager amidst Raftaar’s Twitter, now X, row against the latter emcee.
Watch the “Kudi” music video by Emiway Bantai below.
Bantai’s latest single marks an abrupt shift in terms of musicality. While “Kudi” draws influence from provocative autotune rap, Bantai’s most recent record “King of the Streets“ was driven largely by his gruff lyricism and distinct choppa flow.
The massive 17-track rap LP is home to numerous lead singles that the hard-hitting rapper has released across the year.
Besides entirely new rap records including “Roots”, “Classy Chapri”, “Meherbaani” and “Beta Karta Rap”, Bantai has featured his massive Indian Hip-Hop hits “Company”, “Chhod Dala”, “Scene Change”, “Kya Bolti Public” alongside Young Galib and “King of Hip-Hop”.
Further, the album consists of three distinct versions of “King of The Streets“.
Last month, Bantai teamed up with Spotify India for an exclusive short film dedicated to his third independent album “King of The Streets”.
Titled “Beta Kya Karta Hai?”, or “What does your son do?”, the over 4-minute visual chronicles Bantai’s earliest days in his rap career and unprecedented rise in India’s global rap scene.
“Antop Hill is my hood. In a way, it’s like my very own 8 Mile,” Bantai says referencing the Oscar-nominated 2002 biopic “8 Mile” on Eminem.
Listen to ‘Kudi’ by Emiway Bantai via Spotify.
