In an era when more music is being released each day than in the entire year of 1989, according to one estimate, it takes a singular talent to cut through the noise. Enter Hanumankind, the curly-haired, tatted-up, India-born rapper who broke through last summer with his viral single “Big Dawgs,” produced by Nikhil Kalimireddy, or Kalmi, and its daring music video directed by Bijoy Shetty. With more than 360 million streams on Spotify and more than 200 million views on YouTube, it’s made Hanumankind an instant celebrity.
Even after being thrust into the spotlight, though, the artist born Sooraj Cherukat keeps it real. “It is easy for you to get overwhelmed by everything that happens on the outside — it’s human nature,” he says. “But what brought us here, that’s what will continue to take us forward. That doesn’t mean that I’m keeping my eyes closed. I’m aware. I like to say that I keep my ear to the streets.”
Well, the streets called and they wanted a remix. More specifically, A$AP Rocky — who shot to fame in the early 2010s with his own Harlem spin on the same Houston hip-hop sounds that Hanumankind works with — recognized talent and got in touch. The result was a fully rearranged version of “Big Dawgs” featuring Rocky’s suave braggadocio alongside Hanumankind’s dynamic, Project Pat-inspired flow. “The second half of the remix is entirely different from the actual song. It has its own vibe and aesthetic, which takes someone like Rocky to push it in that direction,” Hanumankind, 32, says with a look of appreciation. He adds that they talked about making a video for the remix, but couldn’t find time: “His video aesthetic is fucking insane.” Even so, the “Big Dawgs” remix tacked on another 2 million YouTube views and counting.
Hailing originally from Kerala, India, by way of Houston, Hanumankind bleeds raw energy into his music, including cultural references from his blended upbringing that paint a picture of a young brown guy’s quest for more. His stage name, combining the loyal, strong, and courageous Hindu god Hanuman with the rest of mankind, gives a sense of how lofty his ambitions for his music are.
Though his rapping began as a reprieve from the humdrum reality of high school, it soon turned into an itch he couldn’t quite scratch. Born to be a performer, but constrained by societal expectations, Cherukat took on a traditional 9-to-5 job at Goldman Sachs before deciding to go for it as an artist. “I have moves and intentions. I have found purpose in what I do after years of not having it,” he says. “There’s a lot I want to say and that’s purely through the art.”
In the months since racking up streams, Hanumankind has signed deals with Def Jam India and Capitol Records; appeared on the Squid Games 2 soundtrack (“The Game Don’t Stop”); teamed up with the Premier League soccer team Arsenal FC for a promotional video; made his Malayalam cinema debut with Aashiq Abu’s action-comedy-drama Rifle Club; and performed at international festivals from Rolling Loud Thailand to Lollapalooza India. Up next: Whispers of a mixtape released ahead of his upcoming performance at Coachella. “For the first time I’m putting together a project that’s larger than the smaller ones I’ve done in the past,” he says. “I think Coachella is a good place to try it and see if that translates live.”
Earlier this month, the dream trio behind “Big Dawgs” — Hanumankind, producer Kalmi, and director Bijoy Shetty — released another high-octane track, “Run It Up.” Combining powerful themes of legacy, adversity, and motivation with a battle cry-like urgency, Hanumankind rouses the listener, rapping percussively over the beat of a Chenda, or traditional Keralan drum. To him, it’s about reclaiming what was lost and rewriting a story for his people. The music video proudly features folk and martial arts from Kerala and other parts of India, including Kalaripayattu, Chendamelam, Garudan Parava, Kandannar Kelan, Vellaattam, Mardani Khel, Gatka, and Tangh Ta. (One YouTube user commented: “Bringing our culture to the world. No diss tracks, no fancy cars, drugs etc. Just pure talent and art.”)
Still, with any form of expression come the unsolicited opinions and expectations of others — especially as a public figure with a growing social platform. After he took the stage at a “Modi and United States” event in New York last fall, performing for and embracing India’s right-wing Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fans and critics took to social media to express their support or disappointment. When asked about the controversial performance, Hanumankind responds: “We were called to represent the nation [of India] and we went ahead and did that. It was nothing political. It’s as simple as that. Everyone else is going to read into it, but if you know me and know what I stand for, that’s where it’s at and that’s why we did it.”
It’s clear that for Hanumankind, staying true to himself amidst the whirlwind of fame is paramount. This authenticity shines through as our conversation winds down and veers toward the topic of food. “In Kerala, there’s something called appam with stew — they call it ‘ishtew’,” he raves. “It’s a fucking combination. It goes so hard.”
He goes on to describe the dish with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for a life-altering concert. “There are so many different variations of stew,” he continues, “which makes it such an exciting experience and brings out deep emotion for me.” It’s a refreshing reminder that even as his career grows, Hanumankind remains grounded in the simple pleasures that feed his soul — an approach that suggests a long and fulfilling career driven by passion, not just hype.
