“Dilli ki behtarin aur iklauti kinnar rapper” is how FINSTA introduces herself through her spotify bio. The bilingual rapper-singer has been challenging the status quo within the Indian music scene with her feisty bars and electronic/disco music inspired hip-hop beats. In the wake of the release of her critically acclaim mixtape ‘QUEERBOPS’, I thought of revisiting her highly underappreciated 2021 EP ‘JIMMY VOGUE’.
My introduction with FINSTA’s music happened just before one of her gig with Gair Kanooni in Rasta, Delhi when I was visiting the city for a fest. My girlfriend and I skimmed through ‘JIMMY VOGUE’ just so we could be in tune with her live set. What caught my attention was the confidence and personality she imparted in her delivery and the distinct soundscape the project carried. The command that she had on her art was even more evident in her scintillating live performance, everything from her crowd control to the stage presence screamed ‘I have arrived’.
The EP kicks off with ‘God is a drag queen’, FINSTA raps and sings with plenty of pizzazz on a industrial and trap hip-hop influenced house beat; passing on her immense confidence to the fellow queers through lyrics such as “this is for the women with the big feet, walking around trying to find their pretty shoe, always caring about if people think we’re sexy but it doesn’t matter, cause they do” and many more. “Meetha Intro”, my personal favourite skit comes next, which calls out rappers like Kr$na, Rawal, Talha Anjum and others who use the word ‘Meetha’ in a derogatory way.
Also Read – SEEDHE MAUT LAUNCH ‘LUNCHBOX MIXTAPE’ IN CHILL VIBES WITH “W”
The skit continues into the fan favourite ‘Meethaboy/Cuntygirl’ which redresses the word and celebrates it with an extremely groovy and catchy composition. The use of flute and the punjabi drum patterns on the dance beat makes the production stand out even more. In ‘Jimmy Vogue Intro’ we hear FINSTA journaling her thoughts about her parents not knowing about the transition and her changed sexual preferences. The intro progresses to the corresponding track ‘Jimmy Vogue’ which carries on the use of unconventional drums as seen throughout the project. The experimental electro disco/industrial trap beat works wonders and establishes FINSTA as one of the best rapper producers in the scene.
The impact of this small, three song, two skit project on me as a listener was greater that what most of the big artists with grand sonics relay through their projects. This EP is everything that’ll make an average Indian Hip-Hop listener uncomfortable and this EP is everything an average Indian Hip-Hop listener needs to hear.
You can stream the EP here!