In India’s burgeoning hip-hop scene, a new sensation is making waves on global music charts. Sooraj Cherukat, known professionally as ‘Hanumankind,’ has quickly risen to prominence with his hit track “Big Dawgs,” which has outperformed Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Eminem’s “Houdini” on international charts.
The 31-year-old artist’s ascent to fame is remarkable. The music video for “Big Dawgs” features high-energy performances in a maut ka kuan (well of death), where motorcyclists perform daring stunts in a large wooden pit. Released in July, the track, created with Kalmi Reddy and Bijoy Shetty, has garnered over 132 million streams on Spotify and 88 million views on YouTube.
Who is Hanumankind?
Sooraj Cherukat, or Hanumankind, hails from Kerala and spent his formative years living in various countries due to his father’s job with a leading oil company. His childhood in France, Nigeria, Egypt, Dubai, and Houston, Texas, exposed him to a range of cultures that influenced his musical style.
Cherukat’s musical journey began in Houston, where he was impacted by the city’s unique hip-hop culture, especially the “screwed-up” remix style pioneered by DJ Screw and Texas hip-hop legends like UGK and Project Pat, according to the BBC. He initially studied business and worked at firms like Goldman Sachs but returned to India in 2021 to pursue his true passion for music.
Hanumankind’s breakout song, “Big Dawgs,” released in July 2024, made a significant impact on the global music scene. It debuted at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved over 37 million streams on Spotify and 111 million views on TikTok. The song also climbed to #9 on the Spotify Global Top 50 chart, surpassing both Kendrick Lamar and Eminem. The video, filmed in Ponnani, Kerala, showcases the “well of death.”
Despite his success, Hanumankind has faced criticism. Some critics argue that his English-dominated lyrics may not resonate with India’s diverse, non-English-speaking audience, while others claim he closely mimics Western artists. Nonetheless, Hanumankind embraces his dual identity, asserting that he is not merely an “Indian rapper” but a “rapper from India.”