This week in Indian hip hop saw the release of two major albums and an EP by top artists. Over the last few weeks, we’ve also seen some stalwart new names like Malayalam artist SA break new ground and a surprisingly refreshing turn to rap from singer-songwriter Akshita Mengi.

Rawal – Sherdil

After announcing his mixtape Sherdil in March but not necessarily providing a release date, New Delhi hip-hop artist Rawal’s 17-track project is out now, featuring a heavy-hitter list of rappers, singers and producers. He’d said at the time of announcing Sherdil, “Generally rappers bolte hai ‘Y’all aren’t ready for this’ for their upcoming music. Iss case mei mai bolunga (in this case I would say) I wasn’t ready to share it with y’all. But I think I’m ready now.”

While a Yung Sammy collab is delayed, there’s plenty more vulnerability, grit, and playfulness on show throughout Sherdil, including the single “Tablafaad!” There’s a cheekiness and earnestness in songs “Andar Ka Bacha” and “Mere Saare Nakli Dost” and an understated on the Seedhe Maut feature “Bhundfaad.” Unhinged, sarcastic, and openhearted, Rawal gives it his all on Sherdil.

Dino James – Priceless  

On his first solo album since 2022’s D, Dino James returns to more English rap than ever with the 10-track Priceless. Although he did release a collab album with Shah Rule called Paapi last year, this solo album sees him bring in pop voices like Katya Krishnan (“Still Here,” “Voices”) and Earl Fortes (“Mama Told Me”) for a soul-baring album. In a press release, the album is described as a “personal milestone” for James.

The album’s note states, “It’s a story carved from struggle, love, loss, and triumph. Every track marks a pivotal step in the emotional arc of a modern-day hero—battling doubt, falling hard, rising stronger, and ultimately discovering that the real gold is within. This isn’t about flexing. This is about honoring what can’t be bought. This is about what’s truly priceless.”

Panther – Dhoom V EP

There’s plenty of foul-mouthed takes in Indian hip hop, but when Panther and Spectra do it on songs like “Dharna,” you know it takes a special pen game to make it punchy and not just juvenile. The “Galat Karam” hitmaker’s new EP opens with “Dharna” and goes on to give us some powerful collaborations like “Fikar” with Bella and J Trix. It even samples Indian sporting legend Milkha Singh’s speech on a track named after him, featuring New Delhi rapper Fotty Seven. Incorrigible and fast-paced, Dhoom V hopes to “shake up” desi hip-hop.

Panther adds in his statement, “Dhoom V is a bold, high-octane EP that aims to shake up the Desi hip hop scene with five explosive tracks packed with energy, raw emotion, and unforgettable hooks. These are the songs you’ll blast on repeat and rap along with the gang.”

A’Hosea – “Lock In A Year”

Meghalaya hip-hop artist A’hosea is all about repping the North East scene on his upcoming album The Call. The fourth single from his second album—which is out in full on May 23—is “Lock In a Year,” which pairs Khasi and English rhymes alongside Ksan Edicius and Wanme, plus producer U. Lyngskor. A’hosea says, “The Call is a labor of love, featuring 15 tracks that chronicle my journey and the inspirations that have shaped me. I believe it’s an album that not only captures my story but also speaks to the universal experience of overcoming hardship and finding one’s voice.”

Trichia Grace-Ann x Xenon Phoenix – “Come Over”

Mumbai artist Trichia Grace-Ann and Siliguri hip-hop artist Xenon Phoenix prove their versatility together as they check in on a lover on “Come Over.” Previously known for proper hip-hop bangers, “Come Over,” produced by Souvik, has a late-night R&B vibe, with more sensual lyricism exchanged between Phoenix and Trichia.

Tintin, Mrtn the Mrtn, Lojal – Martintin: One Night In Chapora

Coming up together in Bengaluru, shapeshifting artists Tintin and Lojal channel experimental, multilingual hip-hop on their Goa-inspired time on Martintin: One Night In Chapora. Songs like “The Allegory Of The Cave” and “Big Trouble In Little Vagator” are beat-switching, genre-blurring bar-fests. Released on April 20, there are psychedelic jams like “Siolim Sunrise” and soaring vocals on “Blue Airport,” making Martintin a power duo.

SA – Gate EP

Among the newer wave of Kerala hip-hop artists channeling melodic rap in English and Malayalam, SA, aka Shamil Ahmed, offers confessional yet party-ready hip-hop in equal parts across five tracks on his new EP Gate. He teases an album on the title track, which also takes down the so-called competition and makes a political statement (“Stop shooting women and kids now, for real”). Joined by ace producer Azwin, SA has a flair for the dramatic on “രണ്ട് താന്നു” and is joined by rapper Efy on bangers like “മിന്നി.”

GWS – Scottappan’s Southside Air

Continuing his Scottappan persona and project, hip-hop artist Glen Koshy George aka GWS draws inspiration from the likes of Travis Scott for grandiose, bass-heavy Malayalam and English rap songs on his new album Scottappan’s Southside Air. Joined by artists like Dan Pearson, tracks like “Take-Off” go from frenetic to mellow, while “Rebirth” is psychedelic and swerving. The record is capped off with a 17-minute cinematic journey of a track called “The Movie.” He says in a statement, “Scottappan’s Southside Air is a journey through the stages of flight—a metaphor for the circle of life, from first breath to final descent.”

Azaad – “2025”

At the top of the year, Odisha hip-hop artist Azaad Shaikh released his single “2025,” a breezy song that takes stock of everything he’s achieved so far while also serving as a mission statement for the rest of the year. Now, there’s a music video for the fun-loving Hindi track, in which he takes down viral clout-chasing artists all while hanging out in markets, driving a motorbike, and just pretty much sending out a reminder to enjoy life when the going is good. He says, “It’s all about the manifestation and big wishes for the year 2025 with a very chill vibe.”

Akshita Mengi – “Jigre”

How exactly did a pop singer-songwriter make it to the cover of Spotify’s New Rap Hindi playlist? Jammu/Mumbai artist Akshita Mengi did that by convincing (and surprising) pretty much all of us with a rap track called “Jigre.” It’s driven by a searing intensity that aims to craft what she calls a “hip-hop anthem for women empowerment” and “a voice for every woman who’s ever fought silently.” She added about the making of the song, “Frustrated by patriarchal norms, societal expectations and discrimination, I poured my emotions into a song that captures the journey of a woman—a song made in just six hours.”

Flux – Fire Radio EP

Jaipur rapper-producer Flux, aka Krrish Upadhyay, is among those on the come-up, and his debut EP Fire Radio pretty much coasts along on the basis of vibe more than anything else. It’s a seamless six-track EP that can be heard in one go, but lyrically, there are a few stories on songs like “Namaste” and “Fomo” about relationships and determination. Elsewhere, “Kyu” and “Parva” attempt sad-boy R&B while “Samay” takes on betrayal.

A still from ‘The Royals’
| Photo Credit: Netflix

The eight-episode-long series phenomenon appears to have the current OTT space in a chokehold. The nearly eight-hour span allows for the narrative freedom that is otherwise perceived as restricted in traditional film format, but also saves the trouble of a creative commitment that comes with a full-fledged show. It is essentially akin to a first draft of a film script adapted with no cuts. Netflix’s latest release — The Royals, ends up embodying this phenomenon a little too well.

Set within the crumbling confines of the Motibagh palace in Rajasthan, The Royals follows the fictional Morpur royal family as they seek to overturn their debt-ridden existence following the death of the former King. The family is approached by Sophia (Bhumi Pednekar), a hospitality CEO interested in making the Motibagh palace a part of her ‘Royal B&B’ venture. However, her ambitious plans begin to seem unlikely when she comes face-to-face with the current ‘Maharaja’ Aviraaj (Ishaan Khatter), with whom her previous encounter ended in a shouting match.

Created by Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy, The Royals is a show brought down by its script’s narrative decadence. In eight episodes, the show follows not only the will-they, won’t-they romance between Sophia and Aviraaj, but also shifts focus to poorly-hidden family secrets, and business tussles with a hard-to-root-for underdog. When the script is not busy chasing a lackluster relationship, it is quickly giving a rundown of the double lives these royals must lead. There are queer royals, royals having affairs, and royals who would rather be a chef. Though just portraying hollow stereotypes, this supporting cast emerges to be the minor redeeming factor in a script that otherwise overly relies on less than impressive performances by Bhumi and Ishaan. Sakshi Tanwar as the widowed Queen Mother and Vihaan Samat as the dethroned Prince end up bringing more to the table, but are not given the screentime to let it all play out. Zeenat Aman as the royal matriarch is also given a criminally under-baked role.

To its credit, The Royals has some unique storylines to root for, but one would have to sift through eight hours of predictable twists and turn to derive something worth watching. Much like the Morpur family, obsessed with its opulent appearance, The Royals finds itself creatively lacking despite possessing a long list of talented names.

The Royals is available for streaming on Netflix