Photo: Instagram/Baby Jean, Dabzee & Vedan
Across the week, coveted rap record label Mass Appeal India announced its unprecedented foray into Southern rap music. The label, with its global HQ spearheaded by the legendary veteran emcee Nas alongside American executive Peter Bittenbender, has exclusively signed three hard-hitting emcees from Southern India under its rapidly expanding roster of artists.
While Mass Appeal India announced that it has partnered up with Indian emcees Baby Jean and Vedan from Kerala, the record label has finally revealed its third southern artist too.
As per the Mumbai-based record label, Malayali rapper and songwriter Dabzee, who further serves as the frontman of Kochi-based collective “Manushyar”, has joined forces with Mass Appeal India.
The back-to-back signing is perhaps the most vigorous push to Southern India’s influential yet often overlooked rap music. Dabzee, born Fazil, is behind numerous flagrant rap records including “Kolachathi”, “Manushyan”, “Maarijan”, “Pulley”, “Oora”, “Bharavase” & more.
Culture Haze spoke exclusively to Mass Appeal India about the historic signing of these Southern artists. “This is Mass Appeal’s huge statement with the South. I want South Indian artists at the forefront of Hip-Hop in India. Now, we got three of the best emcees from the South and it’s an honour for me to get them onboard for such a massive signing,” Ranbir Kapoor, A&R at Mass Appeal India said.
“We can’t wait to show the world what we got. These artists are truly distinct in the way that they sound and the subjects that they touch upon through their music. However, it’s that very music which brings them together too! I’m just glad that I myself am surrounded by people at Mass Appeal India who push my vision for southern Hip-Hop as a collective,” he added further.
Notably, Mass Appeal is the latest Hip-Hop behemoth which has strived to push southern rap music. Earlier this year, Kodaikanal-based woman emcee and songwriter Irfana Hameed signed exclusively to Def Jam Records India too.
Most recently, Dabzee teamed up with influential Hip-Hop producer Parimal Shais on the “Kali” single. It was preceded by Dabzee’s megasuccessful single “Manavaalan Thug” from the Indian-Malayali motion picture “Thallumaala”, or ‘Ballad of Brawls’.
While the southern artists have a riveting discography of hard-hitting singles, Vedan and Dabzee have linked up on “Pottan” too. Perhaps, the three consistent signings might pave the way for some of the most influential Malayali rap records in Indian rap music this year.
Through the exclusive record deal, Vedan, Dabzee & Baby Jean now join a massive roster of artists and are slated to expand their evocative discography amidst massive Hip-Hop releases by the iconic record label.
While Mass Appeal India signed Mumbai’s hard-hitting emcee Nazz in May this year, the label continues to link up with various Indian Hip-Hop superstars for cult rap records.
Most recently, Mass Appeal India linked up with Punjabi Hip-Hop/Rap & Pop superstar AP Dhillon‘s Run-Up Records for his sprawling return to Punjabi music. Reportedly, the label inked an exclusive distribution deal for “With You”, “Sleepless“ and “True Stories” by Dhillon.
Further, Nazz made his massive major label debut with “Gully Ka Sher”. Besides Nazz, numerous Hip-Hop artists and rap crews including The MVMNT and Yungsta continue to release various rap records through the label.
Notably, KSHMR is gearing up for his debut Indian Hip-Hop LP “Karam” with Mass Appeal India after releasing two lead singles – “Haath Varthi” featuring MC Stan & Phenom and “Bhussi” featuring Seedhe Maut and Karan Kanchan.
Look out for major label debuts by Southern India’s finest Vedan, Dabzee and Baby Jean this year.
Listen to Baby Jean, Dabzee & Vedan’s hard-hitting Malayali rap music via Spotify.
