Photo: IG/Gurinder Gill
Punjabi Hip-Hop/Rap superstar Gurinder Gill, oftentimes referred to as ‘GG’, has returned after a long hiatus of almost two years. The Gurdaspur, Punjab-born emcee, who is recognised for releasing some of the most influential Punjabi rap records of our times, has linked up with Hip-Hop superproducers Money Musik and GMINXR on the “Hard Choices” album.
Notably, this is GG’s debut rap record and traverses 7 hard-hitting Punjabi rap records – “Wake Up”, “Network”, “Breathe”, “4 Bakyian”, “Forever”, the aptly titled “Lonestar” and “Moments”. With production from GMINXR & Money Musik, the record captures GG’s far-reaching influence on global Punjabi rap and elevates his stature as one of the leading voices from the “Brown Boys” club.
Last month, another Punjabi rap pioneer Shubh debuted with “Still Rollin” after an extraordinary run of six hard-hitting rap singles.
However, for GG, who often stays low-key and has dropped iconic guest verses on AP Dhillon’s sprawling hits “Brown Munde”, “Against All Odds”, “Don’t Test”, “GOAT” and more, the record serves as the most impactful dive into his provocative sound.
GG rides solo on this album. With no guest verses, even by his close affiliates AP Dhillon, Shinda Kahlon or the usual Punjabi rap superstars that he often rolls with, “Hard Choices” is certainly a flagrant statement about an affecting takeover of rap music this summer.
Amidst high anticipation, GG announced the album with unprecedented suave. The emcee stirred conversations around the globe with just a single photograph of the album’s artwork and chose to drop the album without any noise whatsoever.
However, the “GOAT” GG is well aware of his stature as a global rap tall figure and his massive debut furthers his influence over Punjabi Hip-Hop.
GG isn’t the first artist of Indian descent to drop at will. Earlier this year, Indian Hip-Hop superstar and music business mogul Raftaar surprise dropped the “PRAA” EP with former Azadi Records affiliate Prabhdeep. Even Shubh’s debut album “Still Rollin” arrived after a minimalist announcement on May 19.
Listen to Gurinder Gill’s debut album ‘Hard Choices’ here via Spotify.