Sooraj Cherukat (born 1992),[1] known professionally as Hanumankind, is an Indian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Kerala, India.[2][3] He released his first single "Daily Dose" from his debut EP Kalari in 2019.[4][5] He received mainstream popularity in India and internationally with his track "Big Dawgs", which features the Hyderabad-based artist and producer Kalmi.[6][7]
Hanumankind | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sooraj Cherukat 1992 Malappuram, Kerala, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Kerala, India |
| Genres | |
| Labels | |
Early life and education
editSooraj Cherukat was born in 1992, in Malappuram, Kerala in India.[8] His father worked for an oil company. Sooraj lived in Houston as a child and attended Houston Community College.[9] In 2012, he returned to India enrolling at PSG College in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to pursue a degree in business administration.[10][non-primary source needed][11] He worked at Goldman Sachs in 2014.[12]
Music career
editSooraj Cherukat began his career as a professional rapper by performing at NH7 Weekender, which is held in multiple cities and releasing his debut EP Kalari, in 2019.[13] He took on the moniker of "Hanumankind" after the deity Hanuman which "personifies honor, courage, and loyalty", and because the name was well known where he comes from.[12] His song "The Last Dance" is featured on the official soundtrack for the Malayalam-language film Aavesham.[14]
He gained widespread recognition both with the release of the music video "Big Dawgs", featuring Kalmi, in July 2024.[15][16] The accompanying music video directed by Bijoy Shetty, features Cherukat performing in a classic carnival attraction with motorcycles known as the wall of death. The video was shot in Malappuram, his hometown district in Kerala state in India, and was featured on the official Kerala tourism's Instagram page. The video has gained significant attention for its unique ideas and high-octane energy.[17][12]
Artistry
editWhile living in Houston, Cherukat was exposed to Southern hip hop and listened to artists like Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, UGK, and DJ Screw. He is also a fan of System of a Down.[12] His musical style is significantly influenced by Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Logic.[12]
Discography
editExtended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Kalari[18] |
|
| Surface Level[18] |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IND [19] |
AUS [20] |
CAN [21] |
GER [22] |
IRE [23] |
NZ [24] |
SWI [25] |
UK [26] |
US [27] |
WW [28] | ||||
| "Daily Dose"[18] | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Kalari | |
| "S.L.A.B"[18] | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Options"[18] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Beer and Biryani"[18] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Genghis"[18] | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Damnson"[18] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Skyline"[18] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Lola's Chant"[18] (with Kalmi) |
2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Third Eye Freeverse (Red Bull 64 Bars)"[18] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Go to Sleep"[18] | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Ayyayyo"[18] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Big Dawgs" (with Kalmi)[29] |
2024 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 30 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 23 | 9 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Meet Hanumankind, the genre-smashing rapper based in Kerala whose latest song is a global sensation". The Indian Express. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Meet the rapper from Kerala who is trending worldwide with his sensational 'Big Dawgs'". Mathrubhumi. 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Anand Mahindra's Big Shoutout To Rapper Sooraj Cherukat: Extraordinary, Raw Videos". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Meet 'Big Dawgs' Rapper, Hanumankind, Who Impressed Billionaire Anand Mahindra With His Music Video". BollywoodShaadis. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Hanumankind – Future of Music". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "'Greatest music video to come out of India': Kerala rapper Hanumankind's Big Dawgs gets internet raving". Hindustan Times. 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Taking the musical route". Deccan Chronicle. 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Who is Hanumankind, the Kerala-born rapper who smashed global records with 'Big Dawgs'?". The Times of India. 14 August 2024.
- ^ Javaid, Arfa (29 July 2024). "'Rapping his way to global recognition': Anand Mahindra on Sooraj Cherukat's viral 'well of death' rap". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Hanumankind on Getting Arrested, Craziest Concert Experience, and the Future of Rap - #11". 21 September 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Hanumankind: The rapper from India topping global hip-hop charts". BBC. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Sharma, Isha (2 August 2024). "Big Beats, Death-Defying Stunts: How Indian Rapper Hanumankind Stunned Audiences With His Viral Hit 'Big Dawgs'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Anand Mahindra is in awe of desi rapper Sooraj Cherukat, calls him 'extraordinary & raw'". The Economic Times. 29 July 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Beer, Bikes & Adrenaline: How Hanumankind's international hit 'Big Dawgs' redefined masculinity". MensXP. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Lidhoo, Prateek (2 August 2024). "Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs': The Indian Rapper Who Took Over American Hip Hop". TheQuint. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Trivedi, Aaryaman (24 July 2024). "Big Dawgs: Hanumankind Is The Brown Daredevil We've Been Waiting For". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Indian Directors Who Played a Huge Role in Music Success: From "Be-Together for O Sajna" to Bijoy Shetty's "Big Dawgs"". tellychakkar.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Hanumankind – Singles & EPs". Apple Music. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "India Songs: Week of August 17, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of August 24, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Hanumankind". Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 23 August 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Discography Hanumankind" (Switch to the "Charts" tab). swisscharts.com (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Hanumankind | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 24, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of August 24, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Kerala rapper Hanumankind faces racism after 'Big Dawgs' goes viral". The New Indian Express. 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Hanumankind – Big Dawgs". Music Canada.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Hanumankind and Kalmi – Big Dawgs". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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External links
edit- Hanumankind at IMDb
- HanumanKind at YouTube