Kaan Ke Neeche is an eleven-track debut album by Haryana-based rapper Bhaktaaa. Before KKN, Bhaktaaa barely had 5 releases until he released the tracklist of his album which made heads turn across the scene. Not only dropping an album so early was surprising in itself, but what surprised people more were the features – Seedhe Maut, Rebel 7, Sez on the Beat, Quest, and Blunt to name a few.
The intrigue around the Daulat Shaurat hitmaker skyrocketed as people were interested in knowing if he could match the expectations and talent of the feature list. Safe to say, Bhaktaaa not only goes toe to toe with them but manages to stand out from his peers with a swashbuckling debut album in Kaan Ke Neeche.
Kaan Ke Neeche – Prelude
KKN is a celebration of Bhaktaaa’s hustle and mastery of skills. The album is a complete audio experience taking the audience on a tour from the humble beginnings of the rapper, his struggles, and changes in mindset to seeing him finally stamping a mark of authority in the scene.
Kaan Ke Neeche starts with an Intro where Bhaktaaa is heard battle rapping explaining all the songs of the album. On a thematic level, the intro serves as a teaser to the listeners of what’s to come while on a symbolic level, a battle rap intro showcases the hustle and humble beginnings of the Jijutsu rapper. Kudos to whoever did MC Kode impersonation! The album then takes off with a banging KKN Prelude where Bhaktaaa spits fire and flows cold on a head-banging sinister undertoned beat by Blunt. KKN Prelude is a pure flex track where the rapper flexes his skills with ease.
Post the prelude comes Gair Kaanuni which is arguably the best mix/mastering and music production work in the album. Zero Chill does an incredible job with the mind-bending flute melodies backed by old-school low-tempo drum snares. As banging the beat was, Bhaktaaa’s verse and flow switches were even better. Not only did Bhaktaaa manage to give a fire verse, but he also came up with a catchy chorus that set the tone magnificently for the rest of the album.
After Zero Chill’s banger, the onus was on Hisab to match up and luckily for him, he more than matches the former. Sher Chaal is going to be the legacy-defining track for Bhaktaaa in the years to come solely due to the confidence with which he spits on this beat. As a song, Sher Chaal is a warning track, full of swagger and pompousness to his peers to not mess with the Panipat lad!
The album so far was setting new benchmarks in Bhaktaaa’s discography until ‘Dinozames’ came, which is underwhelming, to say the least. While Hisab did a brilliant job in maintaining the sonic theme of drums and primal melodies, the other expectations failed to deliver. The adlib felt forced and out of place, while the chorus was the weakest of the lot. When two talented artists like Quest and Bhaktaaa collaborate, you are bound to expect a lot more but Dinozames felt a bit out of place in the whole scheme of things.
Post Dinozames comes the Sez-produced Karaamat which in my opinion has the best chorus in the album [yes, even better than 7:30]. Karaamat takes me back to the Sez of old with groovy melodies and simpler snares. Bhaktaaa also does well with Karaamat which is a nonchalant proclamation of the extent he is willing to go to get his done. He is past his old ways and now it’s his goals or nothing.
Kaan Ke Neeche – Interlude
The thing I love the most about KKN is the variety of sounds and flows the project has despite the substance not being novel. The moment you feel the flow or the beats are getting a bit similar, the project surprises you. Nayi Fees interlude is one such song that breaks the monotony with its fast tempo and aggressiveness. Hearing this right after Karaamat pumps the heartbeat and brings the focus right back to the listener – a masterpiece in sequencing, both in terms of emotions and substance. Talking about substance, Nay Fees interlude is Bhaktaaa speaking his heart out after achieving a hint of acclaim and leveling up. Mr. Roxxx does a great job with the beat with apt drum placements helping Bhaktaaa with openings for switches and emphasis. Their chemistry screams in this track!
The album takes yet another turn in emotions as we are now transported from the fast-paced aggressive Nayi Fees to the latest stoner anthem in town – 7:30 featuring KYABC, Seedhe Maut, and Hisab. The less said about it the better as this song is gonna blow up no matter what owing to its insanely catchy hook. Special props to Hisab for the disco touch in the end making this a certified party banger! Ab bajjjj gaye sade saaathhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Then come the last two tracks which in my opinion are the best collab tracks in the album. Especially Hadkamp featuring Huzur where he steals the show with his witty verse matching the vibe set up by Mr. Roxxx. While Jeevan Daan goes hard with Rebel and Bhaktaaa going bonkers, there is something special that happens when Bhaktaaa hops on a groovy beat. Be it Dakaiti, Karaamat, or Hadkamp, Bhaktaaa effortlessly owns it.
The album ends with a funny skit with a literal kaan ke neeche. Boom!
Conclusion
All said and done, Kaan Ke Neeche is an impressive debut album by Bhaktaaa. The sequencing was on point with each track progressing his hustle story in an organic way. The features didn’t look out of place at all as each cog did its part effectively. The intro and outro skit idea was also gold as it translated the album even more easily.
The excess use of drums and primal melodies was also a good touch as it goes well with the pen name of Bhaktaaa [ A bhakt (devotee) of the rap game, hence the usage of beats in that zone].
Overall, the project is a perfect mix of features, substance, and theme and this is surely an album of the year contender. You can stream the album here.
