Hanumankind - Monsoon Season

The first track from Monsoon Season not only enters the Indian rap scene, but also creates a tangible link between two cultures, blending the tradition of the chenda with beats that resonate internationally. ---

The echo of the first mixtape

In the 3 minutes 57 seconds of Monsoon Season, Hanumankind demonstrates a rare ambition for a debut project: it doesn't just offer sounds, but builds a universe where each track can be listened to alone or enhanced by other voices. Six of the twelve tracks are accompanied by collaborations, creating a balance between independent creativity and external dialogue.

Collaboration of six artists

Reckless immediately establishes the project's dynamic. Denzel Curry's vocals bring an international presence and an energetic flow that amplifies Hanumankind's theme of boldness.

The main productions are created by Parimal Shais and Kalmi, creating a hybrid style that integrates traditional Indian percussion (chenda) with contemporary beats. Run It Up illustrates this fusion: the music video shows martial arts forms from Kerala, highlighting the visual impact of this cultural convergence.

Global distribution strategy

The remix of Big Dawgs (feat. Kalmi, A$AP Rocky) demonstrates Hanumankind's ambition to enter the American market while maintaining its cultural authenticity. The track, released on December 5, 2024, was performed live at Rolling Loud Thailand, reintroducing A$AP Rocky's vocals with a new verse, while Kalmi continues to feature, highlighting the importance of collaboration in reaching a global audience.

Monsoon Season paves the way for Indian voices in the global rap scene. Before its release, Hanumankind had already gained visibility through its international singles and its presence on the Spotify Global Hip Hop Playlist, solidifying its status as an emerging talent on the global stage. The mixtape, featuring established artists such as Denzel Curry, Kalmi, Maxo Kream, Roisee, Rudy, and A$AP Rocky, demonstrates that an Indian voice can effectively engage with American rap standards while preserving its cultural identity.

Narrative with an ascending-descending musical structure

The mixtape features twelve tracks, strategically alternating between solo and featuring performances, creating a narrative flow that guides the listener from the opening track "Reckless" to the concluding track "Big Dawgs (Remix)". This arrangement creates a dynamic that reflects the growing influence of the mixtape. The release strategy was carefully planned: following the massive success of the first single "Big Dawgs" (produced by Kalmi, released on July 9, 2024), which surpassed 400 million streams on Spotify and propelled Hanumankind to the cover of Spotify's Global Hip Hop playlist, the artist signed with Capitol Records and Universal Music India. The presence of these two labels, along with distribution through Def Jam Recordings (as mentioned in the original text), ensures a global reach while maintaining a strong connection with the Indian market. The final single, "Big Dawgs (Remix)" featuring A$AP Rocky, was released on Rolling Loud Thailand before the album's release, further enhancing international visibility and creating a bridge between American and Indian rap scenes. The project is also distinguished by its narrative structure: the six tracks featuring other artists form a foundation for international collaborations, while the six solo tracks (including Run It Up, Monsoon Season, Holiday, and Sicko) showcase Hanumankind's unique style. The decision to open with Reckless, followed immediately by the single Big Dawgs – which was already released on July 9, 2024 and has surpassed 400 million streams on Spotify – prepares the listener for a journey that oscillates between the Indian and global scenes. Run It Up was released in March 2025, reaffirming the collaboration with producer Kalmi and director Bijoy Shetty; its music video features traditional Keralan martial arts, highlighting the visual aesthetic of the project. Finally, the remix of Big Dawgs (feat. Kalmi & A$AP Rocky), released on December 5, 2024, was presented at Rolling Loud Thailand, marking the first joint performance by Hanumankind and A$AP Rocky. These specific dates demonstrate that Monsoon Season is not just a random collection of collaborations, but the result of a progressive release strategy that has solidified Hanumankind's presence both in the Indian and international markets. The existing connections with Kalmi, Denzel Curry, Maxo Kream, Roisee, Rudy Mukta, and A$AP Rocky reflect an ambitious vision to place the artist at the heart of global rap while preserving their Indian cultural identity. The first single, "Big Dawgs", produced by Kalmi, had already made an impact on international charts in 2024, reaching the 57th position on the Billboard Hot 100 and accumulating over 400 million streams on Spotify. This success paved the way for a strategic collaboration with A$AP Rocky, whose final remix of the album, released on December 5, 2024, was presented at a live performance at Rolling Loud Thailand, creating a concrete bridge between the Indian and American markets. The project includes twelve tracks, six of which feature other artists: Denzel Curry on "Reckless", Kalmi on "Big Dawgs", and the remix, Maxo Kream on "Goons", Roisee on "Someone Told Me", Rudy on "Cause", and A$AP Rocky on the remix version. The opening track, "Reckless", immediately establishes a transcontinental dynamic, while the final track, "Big Dawgs (Remix)", concludes the mixtape with a bold fusion of modern beats and Indian influences. Monsoon Season is therefore not just a first project; it is a statement of the possibilities offered by global rap when tradition and innovation, solo and featuring, Indian and American elements are combined. The album already suggests a trajectory where music transcends borders while remaining rooted in its origins.

Technical specifications

- Release date: July 25, 2025 - Label: Capitol Records, Universal Music India - Tracks: 12 (39 minutes 57 seconds) - Opening/closing: Reckless / Big Dawgs (Remix) - Guest artists: Denzel Curry, Kalmi, Maxo Kream, Roisee, Rudy, A$AP Rocky