Hanumankind
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
- Hip hop
- R&B
- Def Jam India
- Universal
- Think
Sooraj Cherukat (born 1992),[1] known professionally as Hanumankind, is an Indian rapper and songwriter.[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]
Early life and education
Sooraj Cherukat was born in 1992 Malappuram, Kerala, India.[8] His father worked for an oil company. Cherukat spent much of his early years in Houston, Texas, where he attended Houston Community College.[9] In 2012, he returned to India and enrolled at PSG College in Coimbatore to pursue a degree in Business Administration.[10][non-primary source needed][11] He worked at Goldman Sachs in 2014.[12]
Music career
Cherukat began his career as a professional rapper by performing at NH7 Weekender and releasing his debut EP Kalari, in 2019.[13] 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 within a classic carnival attraction known as the wall of death. This video was shot in Malappuram, his hometown district in Kerala state in India. His video was featured in the official Kerala tourism Instagram page. The video has gained significant attention for its unique ideas and high-octane energy.[17][18]
Artistry
While living in Texas, Cherukat was exposed to Southern hip hop, and would listen to artists like Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, UGK, and DJ Screw. He is also a fan of System of a Down.[19] His musical style is significantly influenced by Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Logic.[20]
Discography
Extended plays
Title | Details |
---|---|
Kalari[21] |
|
Surface Level[21] |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IND [22] | AUS [23] | CAN [24] | GER [25] | IRE [26] | NZ [27] | SWI [28] | UK [29] | US [30] | WW [31] | ||||
"Daily Dose"[21] | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Kalari | |
"S.L.A.B"[21] | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"Options"[21] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Beer and Biryani"[21] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Genghis"[21] | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Damnson"[21] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Skyline"[21] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Lola's Chant"[21] (with Kalmi) | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Third Eye Freeverse (Red Bull 64 Bars)"[21] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Go to Sleep"[21] | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Ayyayyo"[21] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Big Dawgs" (with Kalmi)[32] | 2024 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 30 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 23 | 9 |
|
References
- ^ "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". YouTube. 21 September 2023.
- ^ "Hanumankind: The rapper from India topping global hip-hop charts". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ 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 2 August 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"". www.tellychakkar.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Big Beats, Death-Defying Stunts: How Indian Rapper Hanumankind Stunned Audiences with His Viral Hit 'Big Dawgs'". Rolling Stone. 2 August 2024.
- ^ 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 8 August 2024.
- ^ 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 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.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Hanumankind and Kalmi – Big Dawgs". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
External links
- Hanumankind at IMDb
- HanumanKind at YouTube