High energy, sharp words, and a sense of freedom mark the release of the first track of the South Cypher
Raaga Katrail in a moment from the track. Pic Courtesy/JQUEEN ON YouTube
Hip-Hop is the domain of the daring, goes one popular phrase. The genre has always been about breaking metres, charting new staccato beats, and using language as the rhythmic base. Jacquilin Lucas aka JQueen has been doing so as part of the Wild Wild Women collective.
But her latest expedition with the South Block Cypher moves in a new direction. Featuring the talents of Abisha and Raaga Katrail from the Sollisai Sistahs, and Indulekha Warrier, the track captures the energy and rhythms of hip-hop from South India.
The immediately noticeable sound is that of the parai, a familiar sound on the ‘Madras’ (today’s Chennai) street. This rhythm defines the city’s vibe as much as the video does. But it is the sound production that stands out.
The track moves seamlessly between the distinct styles of the rappers, from Tamil to street slang, and later Malayalam. Warrier, for instance, takes a more lyrical form when she raps in Malayalam.
Lucas adds that this is the first of several tracks to follow that will explore the genre’s rise and influence in the South Indian musical landscape. If you are looking for something different to add to your hip-hop collection, you might want to keep an ear open.
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